REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Evaluation of Thermal Energy Efficiency Programs in

Vermont’s Single Family Residential Existing Buildings Market

Date Issued: September 30th, 2026

Questions Due By: October 12th, 2026

Respondent Notice of Intent to Bid: October 26th, 2026

Proposals Due By: November 10th, 2026

Overview

The Vermont Department of Public Service (PSD) is responsible for evaluating energy efficiency programs implemented by Vermont’s Energy Efficiency Utilities (EEUs). The purpose of this

Request for Proposals is to select a Contractor, or team of Contractors, to conduct an evaluation of Vermont’s energy efficiency retrofit programs serving Vermont’s single family existing buildings market. The evaluation will assess both thermal and electrical energy savings.

Contractor(s) must have extensive experience and demonstrated abilities in all aspects of energy efficiency evaluation techniques, strategies, and principles, including study design, data analysis, statistical sampling design (to address reliability, variance, and bias) and report writing. The budget for this total project is not-to-exceed $300,000 with additional funding up to $50,000 available for technical assistance at the Department’s discretion. The expected work schedule is

10 months and the expected contract period is 14 months.

Proposals are due by 4:00pm November 10, 2026 with the goal of selecting a Contractor by

November 18, 2026. The contract will start as soon as practicable following the contract award for work and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2027. The selected Contractor must be available to begin work immediately.

An electronic email copy in pdf and Microsoft Word format must be delivered to Keith

Levenson, Vermont Department of Public Service (keith.levenson@vermont.gov) before the deadline. A signed hardcopy is also requested but need not arrive before the deadline. Proposals and questions should be addressed to:

Keith Levenson, Energy Programs Specialist

Vermont Department of Public Service

112 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05620-2601

Phone: (802) 828-4072

Email: keith.levenson@vermont.gov

Questions about the RFP should be submitted to keith.levenson@vermont.gov in writing no later than 4:00 pm October 12, 2026. Responses to questions will be posted on the Vermont Business

Registry and the PSD website under the Request for Proposals section by 4:00 pm October 19, 2026.

Date of Issue of the RFP 9/30/2026

Last Day for Submitting Questions 10/12/2026

PSD Response to Vendor Questions 10/19/2026

Proposal Due Date 11/10/2026 mailto:keith.levenson@vermont.gov mailto:keith.levenson@vermont.gov mailto:keith.levenson@vermont.gov http://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/BidSearch.aspx?type=1 http://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/BidSearch.aspx?type=1 https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/requests-proposals

Introduction The PSD conducts its evaluation efforts in cooperation with Vermont’s Energy Efficiency

Utilities (EEUs), Efficiency Vermont (EVT) operated by Vermont Energy Investment

Corporation (VEIC), Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), and Burlington Electric Department (BED), which delivers the efficiency services to electric ratepayers in the City of Burlington. This study will have application across three energy efficiency retrofit and equipment replacement programs in three jurisdictions (EVT, BED & VGS) as described in further detail below.

The purpose of this study is to separately evaluate and verify the impact of thermal energy efficiency programs for both regulated and unregulated heating fuels for program years 2024 and

2025, as well as the electric energy savings attributable to these programs. This evaluation has three distinct tracks, one track for VGS’s Residential Retrofit (RIR) program, another for VGS's low income home retrofit program implemented with the Champlain Valley Weatherization

Service (CVWS) and a third track for the statewide Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®

(HPwES) program (unregulated fuels) offered by EVT, VGS and BED. Note that the Contractor may be asked to calculate separate HPwES realization rates for EVT, VGS and BED if it is determined that the delivery methods or the customer characteristics are significantly different across the EEUs. The three distinct programs will be evaluated on separate tracks in parallel, through the course of this study. All programs concentrate on thermal energy efficiency and have an electric efficiency component, but each is different in program design, structure and fuel-type focus.

The approach taken through this RFP is intended to achieve some cost savings by using the same contractor(s) to evaluate the three different programs.

EVT/BED Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program

Since 2005, Efficiency Vermont (EVT), Burlington Electric Department (BED) and Vermont

Gas Systems (VGS) have offered the statewide Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program to improve the energy performance, comfort, health, and durability of Vermont homes through weatherization measures. During the study period, the program focused on building shell improvements, primarily insulation and air sealing measures that reduce energy consumption and heating costs associated with unregulated fuels (heating oil, propane, kerosene and wood) for residential customers. Beginning in 2021, HPwES transitioned to a prescriptive savings structure that established minimum requirements for each eligible insulation and air sealing measure and calculated savings based off measure-based calculation in the Vermont Technical Resource

Manual (TRM). To qualify for incentives, projects were required to achieve a minimum 10% reduction in whole-home air leakage and meet the program’s minimum requirements for each insulation measure completed.

Heating system replacements, domestic hot water equipment, electrical upgrades, and other non-weatherization measures are not part of the HPwES program. The HPwES program determines participant eligibility and calculates estimated energy savings on a ‘building features’ basis

(based on building attributes including heating fuel type, existing insulation levels, air leakage and envelope characteristics).

During the study period, project intake, contractor engagement, data management, and technical review functions for HPwES were coordinated by Efficiency Vermont (EVT) for all customers not participating through Vermont Gas Systems' Residential Energy Retrofit (RER) program, VGS Low Income programs, or Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) services.

For customers served by Burlington Electric Department (BED) or Vermont Gas Systems, EVT shared project information and technical data with the respective utility, BED and VGS were then responsible for customer communications, reviewing program eligibility, and rebate payments.

While HPwES utilized a common project delivery process, participating utilities maintained separate incentive offerings. Rebate eligibility and payment amounts were determined by the customer's energy efficiency utility. As a result, customers could participate through a common contractor network and project workflow while receiving incentives administered by their respective energy efficiency utility.

Base customer incentives for EVT customers were 75% of project costs up to $4,000 per home.

Enhanced incentives were available for income-qualified households, with moderate-income customers eligible for rebates covering 75% of project costs up to $9,500 per unit and low-income customers eligible for rebates covering 90% of project costs up to $9,500 per unit.

Incentive amounts were based on the cost of eligible weatherization measures installed.

Customer incentives for VGS and BED customers were 50% of project costs up to $4,000 per home. Enhanced incentives were available for income-qualified households, with moderate-income customers eligible for rebates covering 75% of project costs up to $7,000 per home and low-income customers eligible for rebates covering 90% of project costs up to $9,500 per home.

VGS and BED also offered 50-75% of project costs up to $10,000 per multifamily property.

Incentive amounts were based on the cost of eligible weatherization measures installed..

Most HPwES participants are not VGS customers. However, during the study time frame 126

VGS customers participated in the statewide HPwES program because they either did not meet the threshold for participation in the VGS RIR program or opted to do so. The HPwES program will be evaluated as its own stand-alone program and will include the limited number of VGS participants referenced above.

The HPwES program does not serve low-income customers who are served by the weatherization assistance programs around the state, so there are no shared EVT HPwES/WAP projects included in the scope of this evaluation. Low-income customers have the option of going through the HPwES program and leveraging generous LMI incentives paired with 0% interest financing to eliminate their upfront costs. They might do this as an alternative to waiting several years on a wait list (which can often be the case for customers between 60-80% area median income, who are generally put in line behind the lowest income customers based on

WAP priority scoring criteria); they might also choose to do this if they want to choose their own contractor or have more control over their project scope.

The following table illustrates HPwES participation rates for the proposed study period 2024 and

2025 (program years are the same as calendar years).

2024 2025

EVT/TEPF Completed Projects 339 257

EVT/EEC Completed Projects 45 27

EVT Low-Income Completed Projects 33 -

BED (non-VGS) Completed Projects 3 4

VGS (or EVT/BED split with VGS) Completed Projects 60 66

VGS Residential Retrofit Program

Since 1993 VGS has offered a Residential Retrofit (RIR) program that addresses efficiency and building envelope improvements to drive regulated natural-gas energy savings for its residential customers that consume in excess of 40,000 Btus per square foot per year1. For the evaluation study period of 2024 – 2025, VGS offered 50% of the cost of auditor-recommended upgrades up to $4,000 for households above 120% of area median income (self-reported). Moderate income households (80% - 120% AMI) could receive 75% of the cost of recommended upgrades up to

$7,000 and low-income households receive 90% of the costs up to $9,500. VGS also offered 50-

75% of project costs up to $10,000 per multifamily property. Incentive amounts were based on the cost of eligible weatherization measures installed. Typical measures include insulation and air sealing. Heating system, heating distribution and domestic hot water efficiency measures are also installed, as well as electric energy efficiency measures. The VGS RIR program determines participant eligibility and calculates estimated energy savings on an ‘operational’ basis (based on cost to operate the building and its systems). Priority for program participation is given to customers with the highest annual natural gas usage, while giving precedence to low- and moderate-income households. The VGS RIR program will be evaluated as its own stand-alone program.

VGS customers that may not qualify for the high energy use intensity requirement may opt to participate via the HPwES path that is coordinated with EVT as described above. During the

2024-2025 time period VGS had 126 households pursue weatherization projects through

HPwES.

VGS also offers a more prescriptive path that delivers weatherization upgrades to townhomes, condominiums and mobile homes. Mobile homes receive a rebate of 75% of the total implementation cost with low-income customers who are not otherwise participating in the

CVOEO program eligible for 100% of the total implementation costs

1 The 40,000 Btu/SF/yr. is a guideline. Exceptions were made on a case by case basis.

VGS’ Residential Retrofit program also has a low-income component delivered in cooperation with CVOEO’s Champlain Valley Weatherization Service with increased incentives and other differences in program delivery. As such, the low-income component will need to be evaluated separately from the standard Residential Retrofit program.

The VGS RIR program includes the following options for customers to participate:

• Customers considered high natural gas users based on consumption per square foot

• HPwES path (described above) coordinated by EVT

• Prescriptive path for townhomes, condominiums and mobile homes

• Income eligible via Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)

Custom larger scaled buildings that are evaluated/verified annually (excluded)

The following table illustrates participation rates in the VGS RIR program for the proposed study period 2024 and 2025 (program years are the same as calendar years).

VGS Residential Retrofit Program 2024 2025

Number of Projects 163 138

Number of Low-Income Projects** 21 60 **VGS projects. There were no joint CVOEO/VGS projects during the study period.

The PSD is seeking an experienced energy efficiency program evaluation Contractor, or team of

Contractors, to conduct an evaluation of the energy efficiency retrofit programs described above.

The scope of work includes impact evaluation on a ‘regulated fuels’ track (VGS RIR) and an

‘unregulated fuels’ (HPwES) track. Some supporting process evaluation for each program will also be required and is expected to overlap. The study will assess thermal and electric energy savings for program years 2024 and 2025.

Billing data from natural gas and electric utilities will be available to the selected contractor as needed. In addition, PSD will coordinate with the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association to inform fuel dealers that incentives will be available for those dealers that make deliverable fuel billing data available. After the initial outreach by the PSD, the selected contractor(s) will be required to coordinate with the VFDA to administer fuel dealer incentives and sign consumer billing data confidentiality agreements. Bidders should budget for this billing data acquisition project, including incentives for participating fuel dealers.

Respondents are encouraged to review past PSD studies and the other materials at the site below to familiarize themselves with the scope and methodology of the Department’s past EEU evaluation efforts http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy_efficiency/eeu_evaluation.

In addition, general information about energy efficiency programs in Vermont is available at:

• Efficiency Vermont, http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/

• Burlington Electric Department, www.burlingtonelectric.com http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy_efficiency/eeu_evaluation http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/ http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/

• Vermont Gas Systems, http://vermontgas.com

• Vermont Public Utility Commission, http://puc.vermont.gov

Scope of Work and Schedule

The tasks below apply to both the VGS RIR program and the statewide HPwES program unless otherwise indicated. Proposals should clearly and consistently identify the bidder(s) approach, methods and cost for the RIR evaluation track and the HPwES evaluation track. Realization rates for the HPwES program should be determined for BED and EVT separately.

The draft report for the process evaluation (Task 3) is expected to be completed by April 9, 2027 and the final process evaluation report is expected to be completed April 30, 2027. Draft final reports for the regulated fuels and delivered fuels impact evaluations (Task 2) are expected on

May 14 and July 2, 2027, respectively, and the final reports are expected June 18 and August 6, 2027, respectively.

The goal of the impact evaluations is to develop independent estimates of program savings and to compare those evaluation results with internal program savings claims, as well as to provide suggested mechanisms for adjusting future savings projections as necessary. The goal of the process evaluations is to identify recommendations for increasing participation rates and average savings per participant. The Department would like to assess the participation of low-income customers (defined as 80% or less of the area median income) in these market rate programs.

Additional goals are to identify avenues for reducing program administrative costs and for improving installed measure quality and longevity.

Task 1 – Kick Off Meeting

A. The selected Contractor(s) will meet with PSD staff, EVT, BED and VGS and any other stakeholders as determined by the PSD to ensure there is a common understanding of the project’s needs and the proposed work scope, efforts and products, within ten business days following contract award. Prior to this meeting, the Contractor(s) should familiarize themselves with the operation of the HPwES and VGS RIR energy efficiency programs.

In addition, Contractor(s) should come to this meeting prepared to identify the level of

Vermont EEU and deliverable fuel dealer assistance needed to effectively carry out the scope of work (including data requests). This meeting should occur in person preferably, or virtually by agreement of the parties no more than ten business days following the start date of the evaluation contract.

B. Following the kick-off meeting, a revised work plan documenting the common understandings between the Contractor(s) and the PSD (and other stakeholders) will be submitted to the PSD. This plan will include a detailed schedule for completion of interim products (e.g. any preliminary results) and final report products (e.g. draft report and final report, and final project databases). In addition, this plan should include a

Contractor(s) evaluation project management plan that identifies roles and hierarchy of responsibility for project personnel including project manager, project budget manager, sub-contractors and other personnel. The revised work plan should be provided to the

PSD within one week following the kick-off meeting.

http://vermontgas.com/ http://psb.vermont.gov/

Task 2 – Impact Evaluation

The Contractor(s) will design, implement and execute an impact evaluation for each track (VGS

RIR (with separate RR based on path) and HPwES) of the study with a focus on measurement and verification of the thermal and electric energy savings achieved by each program for the program years 2024 and 2025. The selected Contractor(s) will weather normalize pre- and post-treatment consumption and perform statistical analyses as necessary to support and tabulate the findings for the following sub-tasks:

A. Analysis approach and sample plans - Bidders(s) should propose a consumption history analysis approach and provide an associated sample plan for each track of the study that addresses how the following objectives will be achieved for assessing thermal and electric energy savings.

1. 80/10 confidence/precision, or in the event the data cannot support this level of accuracy, an alternative means of supporting findings.

2. Matched sample of stalled participating and non-participating households as a comparison group based on key demographic characteristics.

3. Methods for determining energy usage and peak day natural gas usage pre-and post-program participation (including a plan and incentive budget for acquiring customer billing/ usage data from deliverable fuel dealers).

4. Methods to address homes with more than one fuel type (including wood supplementation) and/or more than one fuel dealer during the study period and strategies for determining energy savings for such participants.

5. Bidders are encouraged to propose other sampling considerations.

B. Determine total gross verified thermal and electric energy savings for each program year (stratified by heating fuel type when appropriate), as well as average savings per participant.

C. Analyze and discuss realization rate calculations by measure type / end use for each fuel type and determine an overall program realization rate. All cost effective thermal and electric program eligible measure types (as determined by the societal cost-effectiveness test) should be addressed including but not limited to insulation types, air sealing, heating system / distribution, hot water, and lighting.

D. Perform a review of thermal and electric energy savings calculation methodologies, technical specifications, hours of use assumptions and other critical parameters utilized in savings calculations compared to similar programs in other key states.

E. Document and explain any differences between verified weather normalized thermal and electric energy savings and the program’s tracked savings and make recommendations for ways to improve the accuracy of program reported savings.

F. Analyze the benefit / cost relationship of programs including program costs, participant costs, average cost per participant and levelized cost per unit for total resource savings.

G. Analyze and summarize the relationship between thermal and electric measures and explain the interactive effect that results from delivering thermal and electric efficiency services congruently in the single-family market.

Task 3 – Process Evaluation

Bidders(s) should utilize a research approach that includes program staff interviews, program data, and document review, as well as contractor interviews and a participant survey for evaluating the following process evaluation elements:

A. Program “participant” insights (participants are defined as having received an audit and completed a project) and “stalled participant” insights (stalled participants are defined as having received an audit but have not completed a project) including but not limited to service quality, participation motivation, barriers / disincentives to participation and factors influencing decision making related to proceeding or not proceeding with thermal energy efficiency retrofit services including but not limited to incentive structure and/ or financing options.

B. Contractors should identify and recommend how thermal efficiency services can be modified to optimize program effectiveness and participation, improve operations, and augment program design based on information obtained from the impact evaluation and participant / stalled participant insights. This should focus on what is working and why, and what opportunities for improvement exist based on the programs current scale and budget and on Vermont’s statutory goal to improve the energy fitness of 120,000 homes an average of 25% savings by 2031.

C. Contractors should specifically assess the participation rate of low-income customers in the HPwES and VGS RIR programs. For purposes of this study, “low-income” is defined as defined as household income 80% or less of the area median income. Contractors should include questions in survey instruments that identify barriers to participation in both the participant and non-participant low-income populations.

D. Contractors should evaluate and assess the effectiveness of internal program controls, QA/QC processes and correlate where possible these program functions with observed realization rates for different contractor classes (company size, number of projects completed per year and diversity of project types, weatherization or otherwise) The

Contractor should provide recommendations to improve program internal controls and

QA/QC processes where appropriate based on this analysis.

Any surveys / research under Task 3 are expected to be completed by March 5, 2027 and the associated process evaluation analysis and draft reports are expected April 9, 2027. The final process evaluation report is expected to be completed April 30, 2027.

Reporting Requirements and Deliverables

A. Bi-weekly (at minimum) or as-needed phone conferences and monthly progress reports to provide project updates as outlined in the Project Management section below.

B. Drafts for review of survey instruments as well as all final evaluation resources, protocols and data bases developed as part of the project.

C. Documentation of findings and recommendations at the completion of each final work plan task.

D. Delivery of draft and final written reports that thoroughly document and explain the evaluation methods, findings and recommendations resulting from the study.

Task 4 – Project Management and Reporting

Management responsibilities include regular project updates with the PSD manager. The selected

Contractor shall assign one project manager that will be the lead in terms of communication with the PSD. Management responsibilities include regular, bi-weekly (at a minimum) project updates with the PSD project manager in which the Contractor, the PSD manager, necessary utility representatives and subcontractors will have a teleconference in which the Contractor will provide a project progress review.

The Contractor shall prepare a monthly written progress report for the PSD indicating the evaluation progress over the prior month, the planned activities for the next month, any issues that need to be addressed with suggested in-budget resolutions.

In addition, the Consultant should plan and budget for facilitating sufficient collaboration between the PSD, EVT, BED and VGS. The PSD is interested in including the EEU’s input and perspective when appropriate. For example, the PSD will invite the EVT, BED and VGS to provide comments on draft evaluation instruments throughout the study including but not limited to survey design and sampling methodologies. Part of the Contractor’s role will be to efficiently synthesize input from these stakeholders.

Task 4 Deliverables – Contractor shall provide:

• Minutes from project update meetings

• Monthly written progress reports

• Draft and final reports to the Department’s satisfaction according to the schedule below, which may be modified by agreement of the parties.

Proposed Reporting Schedule

Task 2: Impact Evaluation - Deliverable Fuels

Initial Results June 11, 2027

Draft Report July 2, 2027

Final Report August 6, 2027

Task 2: Impact Evaluation - Regulated Fuels

Initial Results April 23, 2027

Draft Report May 14, 2027

Final Report June 18, 2027

Task 3 (Process Evaluation)

Draft Report April 9, 2027

Final Report April 30, 2027

Databases from Project All on-site survey and interview data collected in this project shall be entered into an electronic database(s) and provided to PSD to support additional analysis by PSD staff and to support future evaluations. Data shall be submitted to the PSD in a mutually acceptable, commonly usable electronic format, along with a documented data dictionary describing the database contents. Proposals should discuss the suggested database to be used and the data quality procedures planned.

Proposal Budget Respondents should clearly outline budgets for the project. Budgets should be broken out by task and sub-task and indicate the total project budget. Hourly rates should be clearly identified for all project staff, and should remain the same for the duration of the contract. A price quotation form is included below for guidance on how to present the project budget.

Note: Hourly rates and other proprietary information in the proposal should be clearly marked as “confidential.” In the event that the proposal is the subject of a public records request, the

PSD will redact any information so marked.

The budget proposal should not exceed a total of $300,000.

Evaluation of Thermal Energy Efficiency Programs in Vermont’s Single Family Residential Existing Buildings Market Price Quotation Form Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Totals

Name and Title Hourly Rate Hours Extension Hours Extension Hours Extension Hours Extension Hours Extension

TOTALS $ - $ $ $ $ $

Proposal Submission Process

All questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Keith Levenson, PSD, Division of

Efficiency and Energy Resources, in writing no later than close of business (4:30PM EST) on

October 12, 2026 at the email address provided below. Respondents are asked to register their intention to bid at the email address below by October 26, 2026 or sooner. Proposals are due by 4:00pm November 10, 2026 with the goal of selecting a Contractor by November 18, 2026.

The selected Contractor must be available to begin work immediately.

An electronic email copy of the proposal must be delivered to Keith Levenson, Vermont

Department of Public Service by the proposal deadline. Proposals and questions should be addressed to:

Keith Levenson

Energy Programs Specialist

Vermont Department of Public Service

112 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05620-2601

Phone: (802) 828-4072

Email: keith.levenson@vermont.gov

The proposal should present a clear understanding of the issues to be addressed and a description of how the bidders proposed approach will accomplish the goals of this study. The proposal should include the following sections:

1. Introduction.

2. Understanding of the scope of work and associated issues.

3. Overview of the proposed approach.

mailto:keith.levenson@vermont.gov

4. Detailed Task descriptions (including anticipated utility involvement if applicable).

5. Description of suggested database to be used and the data quality procedures planned.

6. Task, sub-task, and total project budget that includes a listing of all staff assigned to the project, including project manager, budget manager, sub-contractors and their time allocations and billing rates.

7. Timeline for completion of project Tasks

8. Qualifications of firm(s), including management and staff structure.

9. Qualification of individuals on the project team.

10. Descriptions of similar projects completed.

11. References, including a short description of the work performed for such references.

12. Attachment A: Sample report from prime Contractor, preferably for a similar evaluation.

13. Other attachments as may be necessary.

Criteria for Selection The PSD will evaluate the bidders’ proposals according to the criteria listed below. This list is not necessarily in order of importance.

1. Responsiveness/thoroughness and practicality of the proposed approach in meeting the research objectives and for completing the tasks described in this RFP.

2. Experience of key personnel in successfully completing similar research and ability to provide on-time, in-budget research.

3. Experience of the bidder in successfully completing similar research and ability to provide on-time, in-budget research.

4. The proposal presentation with respect to the following representations / discussions:

▪ Clear understanding of study requirements.

▪ Technical expertise of the bidder organization and project staff to conduct the research.

▪ Proven ability to accomplish both large sample on-site data collection as well as high quality research and analysis.

▪ Ability to provide high-quality written analysis and reports.

▪ Quantity and quality of work relative to specified budget.

5. Proposed staffing plan of bidder, including staff assignments.

6. Past performance of the bidder and any proposed sub-contractors.

7. Quality and completeness of the proposal (in terms of coverage, organization, graphics, grammar, spelling, etc.). The quality of the proposal (along with the sample report) will be considered an indication of the likely appearance of deliverables from the bidder.

8. Bidder’s plan and ability to be present in Vermont.

9. Price and relative value for the cost.

Performance The selected Contractor(s) must agree to contract performance measure language. Contractor(s) should propose methods for measuring and reporting on-going performance to the PSD.

Proposals should address performance measures including but not limited to timeliness, quality of work, budget tracking and relationship management.

General Requirements The Contractor(s) hired must meet the following General Requirements:

1. Contractor(s) must have extensive experience and demonstrated abilities in all relevant aspects of energy efficiency evaluation techniques, strategies, and principles, including study design, data gathering, data analysis, statistical sampling design to address reliability, variance, and bias; and report writing. The Contractor should possess a good knowledge of energy efficiency program design, implementation, monitoring, verification, and evaluation.

2. Contractor(s) must be fully conversant with current energy efficiency information technology systems, DSM tracking systems, and applications.

3. Contractor(s) must not be currently employed by a partner firm in EVT, BED or VGS and must agree not to undertake such employment during the term of this contract without explicit approval from the PSD.

4. Contractor(s) must be available to begin work immediately after the contract is awarded and commit to work completion as quickly as possible.

5. Contractor(s) should have the ability to be present in Vermont for the kick-off meeting and other meetings as necessary.

6. A lead Contractor and lead contact person must be identified in joint proposals.

Terms and Conditions

1. Bidders must provide an hourly rate for various personnel to be assigned to each task identified in the proposal. While actual hours by task cannot be known with precision in advance, a best estimate should be provided with the proposal. A “not to exceed” budget figure will be established in the Terms and Conditions of the contract with the successful bidder.

2. Ownership of all work products will rest with the PSD.

3. Any work products will be delivered to the PSD upon termination of the project.

4. Contractor(s) must agree to enter a confidentiality agreement to protect certain customer specific information from public disclosure, as necessary.

5. The PSD reserves the right to amend or cancel this RFP at any time if the best interest of the State requires such action.

6. The PSD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities, informalities, and minor irregularities in proposals received, and to accept any portion of a proposal if deemed in the best interest of the State. The PSD also reserves the right to conform the selection process, award and/or proposed contract language, at any time during the procurement, to comply with state or federal statute, regulation, or grant

7. Requirements, to make purchases outside of the awarded Contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State, and to obtain clarification or additional information.

8. News releases or media postings pertaining to this RFP, contract award, or the project shall NOT be made without prior written approval from the PSD.

9. Selection of the winning bidder will be made based on the sole opinion of the PSD that the proposal submitted will be the most advantageous for the State.

10. The PSD reserves the right to make a selection without further discussion of proposals received. Therefore, it is important that each proposal be submitted in the most complete and accurate manner possible.

11. The PSD reserves the right to cancel any contract resulting from this RFP, for cause, as will be defined in the Terms and Conditions of the final contract.

12. Contractor(s) agrees to the terms and conditions of Attachment A and B to this RFP, which describe both the Standard State Provisions for Contracts and Grants and Other

Provisions. Any requested deviations from these Attachments must be presented in the response to this RFP. The PSD and the State reserve the right to deny any such request.

The PSD assumes no liability in any fashion with respect to this RFP or any matters related thereto. All prospective service providers and their assigns or successors, by their participation in the RFP process, shall indemnify, save and hold the PSD and its employees and agents free and harmless from all suits, causes of action, debts, rights, judgments, claims, demands, accounts, damages, costs, losses and expenses of whatsoever kind in law or equity, known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, arising from or out of this RFP and/or any subsequent acts related thereto, including but not limited to the recommendation of a service provider and any action brought by an unsuccessful prospective service provider.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality As data handled by the selected Contractor(s) is potentially sensitive in nature, the Contractor(s) will need to sign and abide by a confidentiality agreement provided by VFDA, EVT, BED or

VGS when transfer of data is directly from those organizations. These confidentiality agreements generally do not expire.

Attachment A to the RFP

ATTACHMENT C: STANDARD STATE PROVISIONS

FOR CONTRACTS AND GRANTS

REVISED FEBRUARY 13, 2026

Attachment C, in its entirety, will be incorporated into the contract. Find the full text at https://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing-contracting/forms.

Attachment B to the RFP

ATTACHMENT D

Other Provisions

1. Work Product Ownership. Upon full payment by the State, all products of the

Contractor's work, including outlines, reports, charts, sketches, drawings, art work, plans, photographs, specifications, estimates, computer programs, or similar documents, become the sole property of the State of Vermont and may not be copyrighted or resold by Contractor.

2. Prior Approval/Review of Releases. Any notices, information pamphlets, press releases, research reports, or similar other publications prepared and released in written or oral form by the Contractor under this contract shall be approved by the State prior to release.

3. Ownership of Equipment. Any equipment purchased or furnished by the State to

Contractor under this contract is provided on a loan basis only and remains the property of the State.

4. Confidential Information. Contractor agrees to keep confidential all information produced or acquired by Contractor in connection with this Contract. Contractor will take reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to this information to employees or agents who must have the information on a “need to know” basis. The

Contractor shall promptly notify the State of any third party request for this information so that the State may act to protect its confidentiality.

https://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing-contracting/forms