NIGP 91841: Energy Conservation Consulting

NIGP Item 91841 Energy Conservation Consulting covers technical consulting and engineering support for energy efficiency improvements, performance contracting, and sustainability planning across municipal facilities, utilities, and institutional campuses. State and local governments soliciting under this code seek ESCOs to conduct energy audits, develop conservation measures, provide measurement and verification services, and—increasingly—structure guaranteed energy savings performance contracts that shift investment risk to the service provider. The code captures both the upfront assessment phase and the full delivery of energy improvements, from design through commissioning and long-term monitoring.

Issuing bodies include municipalities (City of Waco, City of Tempe, City of Austin, City of Cedartown), regional water authorities (Tampa Bay Water, Eastern Municipal Water District), counties (Maricopa County, Dane County), state energy offices (Oregon Department of Energy), and school districts (Roseburg School District, Manatee County Schools, San Antonio ISD). Oregon and Utah dominate recent activity, with the City of Pendleton's ESCO qualifications solicitation (RFQ SKN004000018195, due November 10, 2026) and Park City Municipal Corporation's water and stormwater design engineering RFQ (PCMC27039WAT, due October 30, 2026) showing strong demand for energy and utility infrastructure optimization. Texas (Austin, Waco) and Florida (Broward County, Manatee County) show parallel energy management and environmental consulting traction. The Oregon Department of Energy's ESC prequalification vehicle (Agency RFQ #26-189, due November 3, 2026) establishes a multi-agency procurement pipeline, while the City of Austin's two concurrent energy RFPs—Strategic Energy Management Services (RFP 1100 DCM3050, due October 15, 2026) and Commercial Demand Response Program Expansion (RFP 1100 DCM3051, due October 22, 2026)—signal robust municipal demand for performance-based, results-driven energy consulting. Representative scope spans technical energy audits and ASHRAE Level 2 assessments; project development and HVAC/controls/lighting/water conservation measure design; guaranteed savings contracts with measurement and verification using IPMVP or ASHRAE standards; and advisory services supporting renewable energy, demand response, and facility decarbonization strategies. Most recent solicitations emphasize fixed-fee or performance-based compensation, multi-year contract terms (typically two to five years with optional extensions), and mandatory ESCO certifications (Oregon Department of Energy ESCO status, NAESCO approval). Financial strength, bonding capacity, and demonstrated M&V expertise rank high in evaluation criteria, as do references from similar public entities.