DOER PON-ENE-2024-018 LBE Equipment Decarbonization Grant Program Opportunity Notice Amendment 1.pdf

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources – PON-ENE-2024-018

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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES

ELIZABETH MAHONY, COMMISSIONER

100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MA 02114

Program Opportunity Notice (PON)

Document Title: DOER Equipment Decarbonization

Grant Program for State Entities

COMMBUYS Bid Number: BD-25-1041-ENE01-ENE01-109842

Agency Document Number: PON-ENE-2024-018

Issued: March 11th, 2024

Amended: August 9, 2024

Please note: This is a single document associated with a complete Bid (also referred to as Solicitation) that can be found on www.COMMBUYS.com. All Bidders are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire Bid, which are all incorporated into the Bid. Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS

Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal, state and Suffolk county holidays.

http://www.commbuys.com/ mailto:COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) develops and implements policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply to create a clean, affordable and resilient energy future for all residents, businesses, communities, and institutions.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor’s office issued Executive Order 594 setting forth goals and requirements that will accelerate the decarbonization of fuels used to heat and cool state facilities, assist in demonstrating new technologies and strategies necessary to meet the Commonwealth’s energy goals, and quicken the shift to electric heating and vehicles. By leading by example in these and other areas, state government can assist the Commonwealth towards a cleaner future.

The DOER Equipment Decarbonization Grant Program (Program) for eligible state entities accelerates the transition from fossil-fuel equipment to efficient electric alternatives at existing state government facilities. The Program focuses on the preemptive avoidance of in-kind replacement of fossil-fuel-based systems and equipment by providing the necessary funding to deploy efficient electrified solutions. This includes but is not limited to financial support for the deployment of renewable thermal technologies for space conditioning, efficient electric water heating, battery-powered facilities maintenance, operations, and/or landscaping equipment, and electric commercial kitchen equipment.

An amount not to exceed two million four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($2,450,000) in grant funding is available through this Program. Funding for this Program originates from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program (SEP) and is administered by the DOER Leading by Example Division.

Applications will be reviewed, and awards granted on a rolling basis, subject to available funding, through June 30, 2027.

It is DOER’s intention to leverage funds and support as many projects as possible with the available funding.

All grant applications will be submitted to the DOER. Grants through this Program will be between the DOER and the eligible public entity(s); see Section 3, Applicant and Project Eligibility.

2. PROGRAM OUTLINE

The intent of this Program is to support the affordability of decarbonizing Commonwealth-owned facilities and/or their respective operations; it is thereby designed to address funding gaps for small to medium heating system and facility equipment electrification projects to ensure Program funding is leveraged as cost-effectively as possible.

The Program provides necessary funding to deploy efficient electric solutions at existing state government facilities. This grant program requires that projects take advantage of other funds (e.g., utility incentives) where they are available and utilizes grant funds to increase project cost-effectiveness and feasibility. In addition to accelerating decarbonization and reducing GHG emissions, this program helps familiarize state facility staff with decarbonization technologies and strategies and supports a growing workforce focused on these technologies, making it more likely that these efforts will be more cost-effectively expanded across greater numbers of locations in the future.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of Energy Resources

100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MA 02114 http://www.mass.gov/doer

DOER Equipment Decarbonization Grant Program for State Entities

PON-ENE-2024-018

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At DOER’s discretion, Program incentive levels will vary depending on the scope of the grant request and the location of the facility, as detailed in Section 5, Funding. Funding priority may be given to eligible projects located in disadvantaged communities, as defined by the Justice40 Initiative 1.

3. APPLICANT AND PROJECT ELIGIBILITY

Entities that are eligible to apply for this Program are Commonwealth of Massachusetts executive branch agencies, public institutions of higher education, and quasi-public authorities. However, for space heating system replacement requests (see

Section 4), applications are limited to projects located at sites that are not currently participating in Division of Capital Asset

Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) sponsored decarbonization roadmaps or projects or are slated to do so within the next five (5) years. Potential applicants should contact DOER to confirm eligibility if unsure.

4. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Program applicants must demonstrate that the project meets the requirements and criteria described in this section. DOER in its sole discretion reserves the right to waive any requirements should applicants demonstrate sufficient rationale for doing so.

There are four primary categories for electrification funding under this Program: space heating, water heating, facilities maintenance, operations, and landscaping equipment, and commercial kitchen equipment. For other equipment types, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact DOER to confirm whether DOER can consider their inclusion in a future iteration of the PON, as well as whether certain federal requirements may apply.

Note that by law, any applicable products must meet the Massachusetts Appliance Energy and Water Efficiency Standards.

External Funding Requirements

For all project categories, applicants must agree to take advantage of applicable utility incentives such as the Mass Save offerings. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant utility program(s) if such incentives are available or shall otherwise demonstrate good cause for forgoing incentives where applicable.

Applicants are also encouraged to ensure projects are eligible for any applicable clean energy tax credits, whether credits are applied through a third-party contractor or accessed directly through elective pay.2

Applicants must apply for, or agree to apply for (e.g., in the case of utility post-purchase rebates), external funding prior to applying for this Program. These external funding requests must be outlined in the Application Form (Attachment B).

If after receiving a grant from DOER the applicant is denied external incentives (e.g., utility incentives) that were critical for the project, the grantee must show both proof of incentive denial and the basis for the denial in order to have the opportunity to request additional grant funds from DOER which shall be, at DOER’s sole discretion.

Space Heating System Requirements

The Program may provide grant funding for the replacement of heating systems that are currently fueled by oil, natural gas, propane, or electric resistance, particularly those with systems nearing end of useful life. Eligible projects must target preemptive system conversion to efficient electric air-source heat pump technology.

1 The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) is a geospatial mapping tool designed to support Justice40 Initiative objectives by identifying disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

2 Through a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), tax-exempt entities such as state agencies and municipalities can monetize clean energy tax credits. If a tax-exempt entity places a project in service that utilizes a clean energy credit from IRA, they will get refunded for the full amount of the credit by filing a tax form with the Internal Revenue Service. See https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/elective-pay-and-transferability-frequently-asked-questions.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/elective-pay-and-transferability-frequently-asked-questions https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/elective-pay-and-transferability-frequently-asked-questions

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Technical Requirements

Air-source heat pump solutions shall meet the minimum performance and sustainability standards as defined by the DOER

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS). In cases where adhering to the APS requirements for air-source heat pump equipment proves too restrictive or financially burdensome, projects must use a heat pump system that is ENERGY STAR®

Certified, and whenever possible, use equipment included on the current Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)

Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pump Specification Product List.

Applicants must provide estimated energy savings, both consumption and cost, and the relative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction estimates as part of the Application Form (Attachment B).

Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) Requirements Applicable to Space Heating Systems

This grant Program uses federal funding that is subject to BABAA, which extends to any sub-recipients of the funds (i.e., grantees under the Program). BABAA requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in federally funded projects for infrastructure must be produced in the United States. Under the Act, installations of building heating and cooling systems (e.g., air-source heat pumps) are considered infrastructure projects.

Applicants shall include BABAA certification as part of the request for responses from vendors when soliciting project cost quotes. If BABAA-certified solutions are available from one or more responding vendors, the applicant must consider these alternatives and procure them if they are not cost-prohibitive. However, if vendors confirm in writing that they cannot offer solutions that are BABAA certified (“nonavailability”), or if the cost of pursuing a BABAA-certified solution increases the total project cost by more than twenty five percent (25%) (“unreasonable cost”), this can be used as backup documentation in the BABAA waiver request process. See Section 8, Application Process and Schedule, for more information on integrating the BABAA waiver request process into procurement timelines.

Program applicants may work with DOER to compile the information necessary for a BABAA waiver request. However, DOER cannot apply for BABAA waivers on behalf of any applicants.

Service Water Heating Requirements

The Program can provide grant funding for the replacement of water heating systems that are currently fueled by oil, natural gas, propane, or electric resistance, particularly those with systems nearing end of useful life. The proposed replacement system to be installed must target preemptive system conversion to efficient electric heat pump technology or the most efficient electric alternative.3

Technical Requirements

Electric heat pump water heating solutions, which may include split-system heat pump water heaters, must be ENERGY

STAR Certified (residential- or commercial-scale).

For applicants that are eligible to take advantage of the Mass Save incentives, any electric heat pump water heater solution must meet the applicable Mass Save specifications.

Applicants must provide estimated energy savings, both consumption and cost, and the relative GHG emissions reduction estimates as part of the Application Form (Attachment B).

Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) Requirements Applicable to Service Water Heating Equipment

3 Alternative technologies for electric heat pump water heating include high-efficiency electric point of use (POU) or on-demand water heaters, geothermal systems, and solar hot water systems. The system(s) selected should consider both lifetime emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness.

https://www.mass.gov/alternative-energy-portfolio-standard https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/heat_pumps_air_source https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/heat_pumps_air_source https://neep.org/high-performance-air-source-heat-pumps/ccashp-specification-product-list https://www.energy.gov/management/build-america-buy-america https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/build-america-buy-america-baba#authority https://www.energystar.gov/products/res_water_heaters_partners https://www.energystar.gov/products/commercial_water_heaters/partners

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The Program uses federal funding that is subject to BABAA, which extends to any sub-recipients of the funds (i.e., grantees under the Program). BABAA requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in federally funded projects for infrastructure must be produced in the United States. Under the Act, installations of water heaters are considered infrastructure projects.

Applicants shall include BABAA certification as part of the request for responses from vendors when soliciting project cost quotes. If BABAA-certified solutions are available from one or more responding vendors, the applicant must consider these alternatives and procure them if they are not cost-prohibitive. However, if vendors confirm in writing that they cannot offer solutions that are BABAA certified (“nonavailability”), or if the cost of pursuing a BABAA-certified solution increases the total project cost by more than 25% (“unreasonable cost”), this can be used as backup documentation in the BABAA waiver request process. See Section 8, Application Process and Schedule, for more information on integrating the BABAA waiver request process into procurement timelines.

Program applicants may work with DOER to compile the information necessary for a BABAA waiver request. However, DOER cannot apply for BABAA waivers on behalf of any applicants.

Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and/or Landscaping Equipment Requirements

Grant funds can be applied to the electrification of fossil-fuel based facilities maintenance, operations, and/or landscaping equipment owned by and used at eligible state facilities, including but not limited to lawnmowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, off-road electric utility vehicles, hedge trimmers, lawn edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, electric log splitters, and snowblowers. Additional batteries, charging equipment, and applicable accessories are eligible if applicants can demonstrate necessity. Additional batteries will be funded at the same percentage and held under the same maximum as the equipment they will be charging. Applications should include project information about how equivalent piece(s) of battery-powered electric maintenance, operations, and/or landscaping equipment will primarily replace fossil fuel-powered models, with the goal of phasing out or eliminating fossil fuel use over time. DOER reserves the right to request periodic updates during the first year following equipment procurement to gather information about equipment use, operational challenges, etc., which will be detailed in a final grant agreement between DOER and the grant recipient.

In evaluating and selecting battery-powered models to replace fossil fuel-powered equipment, eligible applicants should consider the multiple co-benefits of electric maintenance, operations and landscaping equipment for both staff and non-staff visitors or residents. Applicants can visit the LBE Sustainable Landscaping webpage for further details on operational, environmental, and health benefits of such equipment.

Maintenance and Operations Equipment Technical Requirements

Maintenance and operations equipment, which includes but is not limited to off-road utility vehicles must be all electric.

Landscaping Equipment Technical Requirements

For battery powered landscaping equipment (including but not limited to lawnmowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, lawn edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, electric log splitters, and snowblowers) that will be used in institutional settings and/or are high-volume tools, it is recommended that, at minimum, equipment meets the specifications detailed in the Commercial Grade Battery Powered Landscape Equipment Specifications document created by OSD4. It is also strongly recommended that products be AFTC Field Tested Certified5.

4 See the specifications document attached to the FAC116 Master Blanket Purchase Order on COMMBUYS.

5 Field testing verifies equipment performance in high-heat cycles and at maximum usage hours and ensures that battery protection circuitry is sufficient. A list of certified equipment can be found through the American Green Zone Alliance at https://agza.net/agza-approved-equipment/.

https://www.energy.gov/management/build-america-buy-america https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/build-america-buy-america-baba#authority https://www.mass.gov/info-details/sustainable-landscaping-at-state-facilities https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/purchaseorder/poSummary.sdo?docId=PO-21-1080-OSD03-SRC3-21990&releaseNbr=0&external=true&parentUrl=close https://agza.net/agza-approved-equipment/ https://agza.net/agza-approved-equipment/

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Applicants that are eligible for Mass Save are required to apply for rebates upon purchase of electric lawnmowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, and other equipment for which Mass Save offers rebates. Applicable landscaping equipment must meet the respective Mass Save specifications (e.g., battery capacity requirements).

In the Application Form (Attachment B), Applicants will be required to include information about how landscaping practices will account for electric equipment, including but not limited to retraining staff who will be using the maintenance, operations, and/or landscaping equipment, availability of existing or new equipment charging infrastructure, equipment storage and maintenance strategy, how charging costs will be mitigated (e.g., off-peak hours), estimated fuel savings, any initial operational adjustments to be implemented (e.g., reducing number of hours on landscaping services per day to account for battery run times), as well as any parallel plans to reduce overall mowing or create pollinator habitat.

BABAA Requirements Applicable to Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and Landscaping Equipment

Facilities maintenance, operations, and landscaping equipment is not considered infrastructure by U.S. DOE and is therefore not subject to BABAA requirements. However, applicants shall include a request for availability of BABAA-certified products as part of the request for responses from vendors and include vendor response information as part of the Program application.

Commercial Kitchen Equipment Requirements

Grant funds can be applied to the replacement of existing fossil-fuel based commercial kitchen or food service equipment6 owned by eligible state facilities with electrified equipment, including but not limited to griddles, fryers, steam cookers, pre-rinse spray valves, broilers, ovens, and cooktops.

Technical Requirements

For any equipment types for which there are existing ENERGY STAR® performance specifications at the time of purchase, the proposed electric replacement equipment must be ENERGY STAR® certified.

For applicants that are eligible to take advantage of the Mass Save incentives, any applicable commercial food service equipment must meet the respective Mass Save specifications.

BABAA Requirements Applicable to Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Commercial kitchen equipment is not considered infrastructure by U.S. DOE and is therefore not subject to BABAA requirements. However, applicants shall include a request for availability of BABAA-certified products as part of the request for responses from vendors and include vendor response information as part of the Program application.

Eligible Costs

Grant funding may be used to support project deployment, including but not limited to equipment procurement, infrastructure upgrades, screening, oil tank removal, and/or installation costs and services. Program funding may not be used for project elements that are not directly associated with the equipment procurement and any applicable installation costs unless applicants can demonstrate that grant funding (e.g., for infrastructure upgrades) will support electrifying multiple end-uses. For applicants requesting the Pollinator Habitat Creation Adder as part of landscaping equipment projects, habitat site preparation and associated materials or services are eligible. Potential applicants with questions should contact DOER about what activities are allowable.

6 Typical benefits of electrifying commercial kitchen equipment include little or no idling time, reduced building emissions and overall environmental impacts, operational efficiencies from energy and utility cost savings, precision cooking controls, improvement to thermal comfort, extended life of pots and pans, lower chemical (cleaning) costs, and improved indoor air quality.

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Eligible Procurement Methods

All grant-funded projects must comply with applicable state procurement and construction laws. Eligible applicants must identify the selected procurement method in their application to DOER. If unsure, potential applicants may reach out to

DOER staff via LBE-grants@mass.gov to discuss procurement options prior to applying.

The following statewide contracts may serve as resources for state entities:

• FAC116 - Lawns and Grounds Equipment, Parts, and Services Statewide Contract (includes maintenance, operations, and landscaping equipment)

• FAC 124 - Building Maintenance Repair and Operations Statewide Contract (includes heating/cooling and water heating equipment)

• GRO40 - Foodservice Supplies and Equipment, Institutional Commercial Grade Large and Small (includes commercial kitchen equipment)

Federal Davis-Bacon Requirement and Associated Reporting

Because the Program is supported through federal funds, the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts7 (DBRA) apply to projects with fixtures or systems affixed to a building; therefore, heat pumps, kitchen equipment, and water heaters projects would be subject to DBRA, but landscaping equipment would not. Grantees under this Program are responsible for including the applicable wage determinations and required DBRA contractor reporting in any solicitation or bidding documents, and in the prime contract. Since both federal and state prevailing wage requirements apply, any contractors hired by grantees for labor-related work must pay whichever rate is higher for each job classification and meet whichever requirements are more protective of workers; typically, Massachusetts prevailing rage requirements for state entities will be higher than the federal threshold.

The DBRA prevailing wage rates are set by county and can be found on the https://sam.gov/content/home Learning Center.

The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) issues prevailing wage information for construction projects and other types of public work8.

5. FUNDING

The total funding available under this PON is two million and four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($2,450,000).

DOER intends to leverage funds and support as many projects as possible with the available funding. Awards will be made on a first come, first-served basis and will continue until all funds have been allocated.

Individual funding requests will vary depending on the project specifics and whether the project is sited within an area with designated disadvantaged population(s) as defined by the federal Justice40 Initiative.9 In no instance may an applying entity receive more than one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a project from this grant when combined with other internal and/or external funding sources.

DOER in its sole discretion reserves the right to amend any grant limits as provided for below. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact LBE-Grants@mass.gov prior to submitting a Statement of Interest (Attachment A) to confirm eligibility and availability of funds.

7 The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts apply to contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts totaling more than $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works. Grantees of the Program must pay their laborers and mechanics no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area.

8 State contracts must also include the processes and procedures to ensure compliance with statutory Workforce Participation Goals, including reporting and enforcement provisions, for women and minorities. G.L. c. 149, § 44A(2)(G); see https://www.mass.gov/prevailing-wage-program for more details. Additionally, applicants are responsible for insuring compliance with MA prevailing wage laws and DBRA, 9 The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) is a geospatial mapping tool designed to support Justice40 Initiative objectives by identifying disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

mailto:LBE-grants@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-statewide-contract-user-guide https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:LBE-Grants@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/prevailing-wage-program https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

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Grant Project Category Base Grant Amount Potential Grant Amount Adder(s)

(As further described below)

Space Conditioning System Up to 40% of the project cost after accounting for other available incentives, with a maximum base grant of $350,000 per site address.

Climate and Economic Justice Adder

Service Water Heating Up to 40% of the project cost after accounting for other available incentives, with a maximum base grant of $150,000 per site address.

Climate and Economic Justice Adder

Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and/or Landscaping Equipment

For handheld equipment, push mowers, push snow throwers, and charging equipment, this grant will provide up to 40% of the total equipment plus battery cost after accounting for other available incentives.

For ride-on mowers (including zero-turn and stand-on mowers) and utility vehicles, this grant will provide up to

55% of the total cost of equipment after accounting for other available incentives.

This grant category is subject to a maximum base grant of $150,000 per site address.

Climate and Economic Justice Adder

Pollinator Habitat Creation Adder

Commercial Kitchen Equipment Up to 40% of the total equipment cost after accounting for other available incentives, with a maximum base grant of $150,000 per site address.

Climate and Economic Justice Adder

Climate and Economic Justice Adder

This adder provides an additional value of ten percent (10%) of the respective base grant amount and is not subject to base grant amount maximum. If the project location, determined by the site street address, falls within a disadvantaged census block under the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, this adder shall apply.

Pollinator Habitat Creation Adder

This adder can be applied when equipment is purchased in conjunction with the creation of new productive pollinator habitat at the site that is greater than ≥0.5 acres. The specific site location and proposed habitat project details must be included as part of the Application Form (Attachment B). At its sole discretion, DOER may consider the submission of smaller size on a case-by-case basis.

https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

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Applicants may request up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for costs associated with site preparation, including but not limited to seeds, plants, bulking agents, site preparation, equipment rental10, or third-party vendor services. Projects between

0.5 and 1.5 acres are eligible to request up to five thousand dollars ($5,000), and projects greater than 1.5 acres are eligible to request up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Pollinator habitats greater than 0.5 acres are typically created via seeding. Selected seed mixes should follow the criteria described in the Creating Pollinator Habitat: Seeding guidance document developed by LBE. Specifically, species should be native to the Northeast U.S., preferably native to Massachusetts, and not listed as rare or endangered. See the Sustainable

Landscaping at State Facilities website for further guidance.

Grantees must complete deployment of the proposed habitat within twelve (12months of an executed grant agreement and maintain habitat health to the best of abilities for at least five (5) years thereafter. Grantees may be asked to provide periodic

(no less than annual) updates on the habitat, even after a grant agreement between DOER and the entity has closed.

Utilizing Available Funding

Applicants who are served by Mass Save utilities must meet the Mass Save specifications and leverage any available Mass

Save incentives if eligible to do so. If applicants are denied a Mass Save incentive by the utility, they must submit documentation and Mass Save’s reasoning for said decision to DOER.

The following Mass Save incentives are available for eligible entities:

• Mass Save | Lawn Equipment for Business: Offers incentives on lawn equipment that runs on battery-powered motors, including lawnmowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, and chainsaws.

• Mass Save | Water Heaters: Offers incentives on electric heat pump water heaters.

• Mass Save | Air Source Heat Pumps: Offers incentives on air source heat pumps.

• Mass Save | Food Service Equipment: Offers incentives on a variety of energy-efficient equipment in commercial kitchens, including but not limited to conveyor boilers, combination and convection ovens, fryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers.

Project sites served by utilities that are not part of Mass Save should work with their utility representative(s) to identify any potential incentive offerings that would be applicable to the project and provide that information to DOER as part of the application process.

6. AWARDS

Upon written notice to proceed from DOER, applicants shall complete the Application Form (Attachment B) and submit electronically (see Section 8, Application Process and Schedule).

Upon request, applicants shall be willing to meet with DOER for periodic check-ins and shall respond to DOER requests for additional information. Any material changes to the project and/or grant application should be communicated as soon as possible to DOER. If material changes occur prior to a grant award, DOER reserves the right to require application re-submission under the most recent amended PON.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and approved for funds according to the Section 8 Application

Process and Schedule requirements until funding has been exhausted. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2027, or until all funds have been awarded, whichever comes first.

Grant applications must be approved by DOER, and an agreement is required to be signed between DOER and the grantee, prior to the purchase of equipment or commencement of any work to be funded by this grant. DOER shall not disburse funds until all requirements under the PON and any terms and conditions have been satisfied, as determined by DOER in its sole discretion. Awards are anticipated to be made on an ongoing basis.

10 Applicants are encouraged to leverage the resources of the MAFMA Tool Barn when appropriate.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/pollinator-seed-checklist-for-state-entities-31622/download https://www.mass.gov/info-details/sustainable-landscaping-at-state-facilities https://www.mass.gov/info-details/sustainable-landscaping-at-state-facilities https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/specialty-equipment/lawn-equipment https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/water-heating-and-pipe-insulation/water-heaters https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/heating-and-cooling/heat-pumps/air-source-heat-pumps https://www.masssave.com/en/business/rebates-and-incentives/specialty-equipment/food-service-equipment https://www.mass.gov/how-to/tool-barn-program

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7. EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used for evaluating grant applications under this PON:

• Minimum requirements: Projects must meet all requirements as provided for under the Section 4 of this PON.

• Applications will be evaluated based on the proposed deployment plan for and cost-effectiveness of electrified solution(s), as well as the respective emissions reduction benefits and co-benefits, where applicable.

• If grant funds are limited, the Program may prioritize eligible projects located in disadvantaged communities; see

Section 2, Program Outline.

DOER reserves the right to request clarifying information or amendments in support of the application and evaluation process and may fully or partially fund projects based on the information provided.

8. APPLICATION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

Application Process

Step 1: Statement of Interest

Applicants must first submit a Statement of Interest (Attachment A) to DOER via email at LBE-Grants@mass.gov prior to applying to the Program; such Statements of Interest shall outline proposed project, including but not limited to the estimated emissions reduction impacts. DOER shall review Statements of Interest on an ongoing basis and may request additional information from potential applicants within thirty (30) days of Statement of Interest receipt as part of this process. Potential applicants will have no more than thirty (30) days to satisfactorily respond to DOER requests for information or the

Statement of Interest shall be considered null and void. If a proposed project is deemed eligible under the Program based on the Statement of Interest, DOER shall issue a notice to proceed with the application form (Step 2) via email. Following the issuance of a notice to proceed with the application form, DOER will submit a copy of the statement of interest to the corresponding investor-owned utility to make them aware of the project and initiate the process of finalizing information and/or estimates for potential Mass Save incentives (if applicable). Applicants are still encouraged to engage with their

Mass Save representative(s) throughout the project development process.

Step 2: Application Form

After a Statement of Interest is approved by DOER, applicants may move ahead with soliciting quotes (if not already solicited) and/or submitting the application form. Project cost quotes must be received prior to formally applying to the

Program.11 Once quotes have been received and the best value option has been selected, applicants shall complete the

Application Form (Attachment B) and submit via email to LBE-Grants@mass.gov. In addition, applicants must submit a copy of the proposal from the selected vendor(s), including a detailed breakdown of associated project costs. Depending on the project, applicants may submit additional supporting documentation.

For projects subject to BABAA requirements that are unable to meet said requirements, the BABAA waiver process should be pursued by the applicant once vendor quotes are received. DOER grant agreements for projects that are subject to

BABAA requirements will not be fully executed until the associated waiver is approved. Project waivers that are denied will not be eligible for grant funding. Once a grant agreement has been approved and executed, and a BABAA waiver has been approved if applicable, the applicant may then move forward with project initiation and procurement.

Step 3: Application Review and Approval

11 When submitting a request for proposals to vendors for project types subject to BABAA requirements, e.g., space conditioning projects, applicants should request at least a 120-day timeframe for quote validity, since equipment may not be procured prior to an approved BABAA waiver if applicable (which may take up to 90 days for approval) and an executed grant agreement between DOER and the applicant.

mailto:LBE-Grants@mass.gov

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Applications will be reviewed, and grant awards granted on a rolling basis, depending on if funding is available, through

June 30, 2027.

Step 4: Ongoing Grantee Responsibilities

DOER reserves the right to request periodic updates about grant-funded projects, which will be addressed at a project-specific level within respective interagency service agreements.

Grant recipients may be responsible for completing federal reporting, such as Davis-Bacon compliance reporting.

Schedule

Applicants must provide anticipated schedules for the project implementation along with Attachment B, including the start and completion dates and expected timeline for project implementation, if known. The following dates are subject to change.

Issue PON (DOER) March 11th, 2024

PON Amended August 9, 2024

Grants Reviewed Grants will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until allocated funds are awarded.

PON Responses Submission Deadline* June 30, 2027

*DOER reserves the right to re-open this solicitation if funds are not fully awarded.

9. GRANT AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Type of Grant

This PON, being conducted under 815 CMR 2.00, has been distributed electronically using COMMBUYS, the

Commonwealth’s official procurement record system (http://www.commbuys.com). The project name is DOER Equipment

Decarbonization Grant Program, and the project number is PON-ENE-2024-018.

Correspondence to DOER should include this project number as well as the title. All notifications and amendments to this

PON will be posted on COMMBUYS. Applicants are advised to periodically check this PON on COMMBUYS to ensure that they have the most recent information.

All proposals and information submitted in response to this PON are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., Chapter 66, Section 10, and to Chapter 4, Section 7, Subsection 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes shall be disregarded.

Contact

Grant Contact: Catie Snyder, Deputy Director, Leading by Example Division

Morgan Bowler, Clean Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, Leading by Example Division

Department of Energy Resources

100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor

Boston, MA 02114

E-mail: LBE-Grants@mass.gov

PON Name: DOER Equipment Decarbonization Grant Program for State Entities

PON File Number: PON-ENE-2024-018

12 | P a g e

Attachment A: DOER Leading by Example Decarbonization Grant Program for State Entities: Statement of Interest, PON-ENE-2024-018.

Attachment B: DOER Leading by Example Decarbonization Grant Program: State Entity Application Form