1-265X901156 Energy Saving Technologies - Vendors and Contractors.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) – SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES – VENDORS & CONTRACTORS

DUE DATE: MARCH 5, 2026, by 12:00 PM ET

RFI NUMBER: 265X901156

SUBMITTAL: https://cincinnati-oh.bonfirehub.com/

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the City’s Bonfire portal at the above link.

Responses submitted by hard copy, mail, or e-mail will not be accepted. See “SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES TO THE RFI” for more details.

Requests for information related to this Notice should be directed to:

Jennifer Sherman at jennifer.sherman@cincinnati-oh.gov

NOTE: The City publishes information on the City of Cincinnati Internet web site at www.cincinnati-oh.gov, which includes the Cincinnati Municipal Code (CMC) and the information concerning the rules and regulations governing the City’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program and Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program. Responders may register as a City vendor online at https://vss.cincinnati-oh.gov/vssprod/Advantage4

Disclaimer

This is not a procurement solicitation. The City will not reimburse any costs associated with the development and submission of materials in response to this request. There is no solicitation available at this time. However, should a procurement solicitation materialize, no basis for claims against the City shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the City’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent procurement solicitation.

I. REQUEST

PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

The City of Cincinnati ("City"), through the Office of Environment & Sustainability (OES), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), recommended project delivery approaches, and optional project ideas from vendors, contractors, installers, engineering firms, ESCOs, and other project delivery partners involved in clean energy and energy-efficiency technologies.

The information gathered through this RFI will help the City better understand the expertise, capacity, and innovative approaches present among our region’s clean-energy and energy efficiency delivery partners. Our goal is to build a strong network of qualified firms who can help shape and accelerate Cincinnati’s clean energy future — and to understand how we can work together to advance projects across the region. As a result of responding, the City may connect with respondents to offer opportunities such as participation in a contractor network, workshops and training, etc.

This RFI is part of the broader Phase 1 Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) grant award effort led by the City of Cincinnati, focused on expanding market readiness, attracting public and private investment, and preparing the Cincinnati region for future clean-energy deployment opportunities. These efforts align with the energy and emissions goals and measures set forth in the Green Cincinnati Plan and the Greater Cincinnati Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.

This RFI is intended solely for information-gathering and market research purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, request for pricing, or an offer to contract. Respondents will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred in preparing a response.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The City seeks information from qualified project delivery partners capable of supporting one or more of the following technology and professional service categories:

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

Geothermal District Heating & Cooling Systems and ground-source heat pump systems (collectively referred to here as geo-exchange districts and technologies)

Professional services supporting clean energy and low/no emissions building projects:

o Accountants familiar with energy-related tax credits o Firms specializing in financial modeling for energy-saving or tax-credit-eligible projects o Architectural, design, and engineering firms specializing in low/no emissions technologies o Energy Service Companies [ESCOs] o Energy auditors o Feasibility analysis providers, etc.

Respondents are asked to provide:

Statements of Qualifications (Required; 3-5 pages)

Recommended approaches and methodologies (Required)

Conceptual or preliminary project ideas relevant to Cincinnati (Optional)

RESPONSES TO THE RFI

Responses should provide information that helps us understand your capabilities, experience, and potential role in future clean-energy and energy efficiency project delivery. This information will contribute to a broader understanding of who is active in the region and how the City and other Key Stakeholders can collaborate with partners moving forward.

All responses must include the sections listed below.

1. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (Required, 3–5 pages)

A. Introduction & Organizational Overview

Brief introduction of the firm or organization

Technology and/or professional categories addressed

Interest in collaborating on future clean-energy and energy efficiency project development in Cincinnati

Organizational structure, ownership, and years in operation

Relevant licenses, certifications, or registrations (e.g. IGSHPA, CPA, BPI, etc.)

Primary contact information

B. Experience

Experience designing, engineering, installing, integrating, operating, implementing, maintaining, or advising on the technology and professional service categories most applicable

Capacity to deliver projects for commercial, institutional, municipal, residential, or campus/district-scale applications

Experience navigating state and federal incentives (IRA tax credits, Ohio House Bill 15, utility programs, grants, etc.)

Experience collaborating with utilities, community development corporations, public agencies, and/or community-based organizations

Summary of representative past projects, including:

o Technology/Professional Service type and scale o Client or facility type o Role of the respondent in the project (Engineer-Procure-Construct [EPC], installer, designer, operator, aggregator, etc.)

o Completion date

2. Recommended Approaches & Methodologies (Required)

Assessment Methods - identifying and assessing project opportunities

Approaches - engineering, modeling, system design, etc., Best Practices - installation, commissioning, and operation/maintenance, project completion (as applicable)

Preferred Delivery Models - turn-key EPC, energy-as-a-service, ESCO contracting, and additional examples relevant to professional services such as:

i. third-party verification services

ii. financial advisory or credit-stacking models

Strategies – supporting successful implementation, reducing barriers, and/or strengthening collaboration with community-based, institutional partners, etc.

3. Optional: Project Pipeline Spreadsheet – use of attached template required. Project ideas do not require detailed engineering or financial modeling at this stage. The information will be used to demonstrate investment potential and readiness in our region to attract public and private funding/financing.

The City of Cincinnati (secondary subgrantee), ICLEI USA (subgrantee), and the Coalition for Green Capital (grantee) will keep and have access to this information under the subgrant agreement for the Municipal Investment Fund. The City may also share its project pipeline with the Cincinnati Green Bank, which aims to support local clean energy and low/no emissions building projects.

In the event a procurement solicitation or contract materializes for this service, all Offerors shall be subject to the provisions of the economic inclusion programs found in Chapter 323 and 324 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code and the Equal Employment Opportunity Program found in Chapter 325 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code. Information about these programs can be obtained by visiting the following website http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/inclusion/.

TIMETABLE

Milestones for the Process are: Date

1. Release of RFI 02/10/2026

2. Deadline for Questions 02/19/2026 at 12:00 PM ET

3. Offerors submit responses 03/05/2026 at 12:00 PM ET

4. City issues procurement for related services (if necessary) To be determined

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING INFORMATION

Include information as requested or required. Be sure the information submitted is complete and properly identified. The cover page of the document shall indicate the RFI Reference Number, Time, Date Due, and the title of the RFI. Information must be received by the Office of Procurement by the date and time specified as the due date.

An electronic response must be submitted through the City’s Bonfire portal at https://cincinnati-oh.bonfirehub.com/. Responses submitted by hard copy, mail, or e-mail will not be accepted.

Important notes:

Logging in and/or uploading your file(s) does not mean your response is submitted.

Offerors must successfully upload all file(s) and must click the submit button before closing time.

You will receive an email confirmation receipt with a unique confirmation number once you finalize your submission. This will confirm that you have successfully submitted your Statement of Qualifications.

If a requested file is mandatory, you will not be able to complete your submission until the requirement is met.

Uploading large documents may take time, depending on the size of the file(s) and your internet connection speed.

Please note the type (.doc, .pdf, etc.) and number of files (one only or multiple) allowed.

The maximum file size for upload is 1,000 MB. Please do not embed any documents within your uploaded files as they will not be accessible or evaluated.

For technical questions or issues related to your submission, please contact Bonfire directly at support@gobonfire.com or 1 (800) 354-8010, ext. 2. The support team is available Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also visit their help forum at https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc.

All Responses shall be received no later than March 5, 2026, by 12:00 PM ET.

QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES

Questions and inquiries, written only, will be accepted from any and all firms. Inquiries pertaining to this Request for Information must include the following in the subject line: RFI number and RFI. All written questions should be directed to Jennifer Sherman via email @ Jennifer.Sherman@cincinnati-oh.gov. All questions shall be received no later than February 19, 2026, by 12:00 PM ET.

CORRECTIONS AND ADDENDA

If it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFI or provide additional information, an addendum will be issued. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that all addenda are received and incorporated prior to submitting a response.