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

Request for Quote (RFQ)

Document Title: Massachusetts Appliance Efficiency Standards

Compliance Services 2027-2028

COMMBUYS Bid Number: BD-27-1041-ENE01-ENE01-133982 Agency Document Number: RFQ-ENE-2027-006

Issued September 29th, 2026

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

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources – RFQ-ENE-2027-006 Massachusetts Appliance Efficiency Standards Compliance 2027-2028

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I. Introduction 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.

II. Background

Appliance efficiency standards drive large savings of energy and water for a very low cost by barring the statewide sale of less energy efficient products. The result is a transformed market where more efficient products are all that may legally be sold in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Commonwealth).

An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy was signed into law on March 26, 2021 (Act). Energy and water efficiency standards for fifteen (15) new products were a key component adopted in this Act. In connection with the adoption of the Act, appliance standard regulations were amended in December 2021 and can be found at 225 CMR 9.00 (Regulations) and guidelines for implementing the Regulations were released in November 2022 (Guidelines). The requirements for covered sellers and installers went into effect on January 1, 2023.

The regulated product types included in the Act that have not been preempted by federal rules are as follows:

• Hot food holding cabinets

• Fryers

• Steam cookers

• Ovens

• Dishwashers

• Toilets

• Urinals

• Faucets

• Showerheads https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2021/Chapter8

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• Electric portable spas

• Residential ventilation fans

• Spray sprinkler bodies (irrigation)

• Electric vehicle supply equipment

• Water coolers

• High CRI (Color-Rendering Index) Fluorescent lamps

An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers was signed into law on November 20, 2024 (2024 Act). The 2024 Act amended ch.25B by giving the Commonwealths Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’Commissioner the ability to adopt and update regulations creating standards for any appliances to facilitate the deployment of flexible demand technologies. The selected Contractor (Contractor) under this Request for Quote (RFQ) will be responsible for supporting compliance for and enforcement of any flexible demand appliance standards adopted by DOER pursuant to the 2024 Act.

If the Massachusetts General Court passes new standards for additional product types within the term of the contract resulting from this RFQ, the selected Contractor may be required to meet deliverables associated with the new standards.

The Regulations, Guideline, and supplemental information with respect to Massachusetts Appliance Standards are available at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards.

Capitalized terms used in this document, not otherwise defined herein, are defined in the Regulations and Guidelines referenced above.

III. Procurement and Contact Information

A. Type of Procurement

Fee for Service subject to 801 CMR 21.

B. RFQ Distribution Method

This RFQ has been distributed electronically using the COMMBUYS system. It is the responsibility of every potential respondent to check COMMBUYS for any addenda or modifications to an RFQ to which they intend to respond. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subdivisions accept no liability and will provide no accommodations to respondents who fail to check for amended RFQs or submit inadequate or incorrect responses.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards https://www.mass.gov/service-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards

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Respondents may not alter RFQ language or any RFQ component files. Those submitting a proposal must respond in accordance with the RFQ directions and complete only those sections that prompt a respondent for a response. Modifications to the body of this RFQ, specifications, terms and conditions, or which change the intent of this RFQ, are prohibited. Any unauthorized alterations will disqualify a response.

C. PRF74 – Energy Consultant Services

Work awarded as a result of this RFQ is pursuant to Statewide Contract PRF74 – Energy, Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services Designated DOER (PRF74). As such, all terms, conditions, contract rules, and pricing established in PRF74 shall apply. Additional information concerning PRF74 can be found in the User Guide: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/professional-services

D. Massachusetts Public Records Law

All proposals and information submitted in response to this RFQ are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., Chapter 66, Section 10, and to Chapter 4, Section 7, and Subsection

26. Any statements in submitted proposals that are inconsistent with these statutes shall be disregarded.

E. No Guarantee of Resulting Contract

The Commonwealth makes no assurance that any services will be purchased from any contract resulting from this RFQ.

F. Questions and Answers

All questions must be submitted through COMMBUYS.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/professional-services https://www.mass.gov/service-details/professional-services

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G. Contact Information

Responses to this RFQ will be received by:

Procurement Contact: Jerrylyn Huckabee Department of Energy Resources 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02114 Telephone: 617-626-7374 E-mail: DOER.ApplianceStandards@mass.gov RFQ Name: Massachusetts Appliance Efficiency Standards Compliance 2027-

RFQ File Number: RFQ-ENE-202X-0XX

Milestone Date

DOER Issues RFQ September 29, 2026

Deadline for Submitting Questions October 9, 2026

DOER Answers Questions October 16, 2026

RFQ Response Due October 30, 2026 at 5:00PM EST

Selection of Winning Response* November 20, 2026

Execution of Contract with DOER December 18, 2026

* Dates after RFQ Response Due date are anticipated dates. All dates are subject to change.

IV. Scope of Work

The selected Contractor shall assist DOER in the implementation of the Appliance Standards Regulations and Guidelines, as set forth below, including the following activities for all the product types listed in section II, above:

1) Develop educational materials to explain how Covered Parties will meet compliance with 225

CMR 9.00 including but not limited to the following:

a) Develop accessible outreach messaging for each covered industry

b) Develop accessible digital and analogue materials for distribution to Covered Parties

2) Verify compliance of products that do not bear Proxy Standards, as outlined in section 4.4 of the Guidelines by:

a) Requesting and receiving documentation from manufacturers of their independent tests and approve certification of qualifying products

3) Support outreach by assisting DOER in the distribution of content developed above in Item 1 of this Scope of Work, including:

a) Conduct accessible outreach to market actors

b) Address stakeholder questions mailto:DOER.ApplianceStandards@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/info-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards https://www.mass.gov/info-details/appliance-energy-and-water-efficiency-standards

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c) Coordinate with trade associations

d) Distribute information to Covered Parties

4) Measure compliance and support enforcement

a) Conduct visits to Covered Party sites to support compliance

b) Conduct audits of Covered Party online sales channels to support compliance

c) Compile contacts for Covered Parties

d) Compile compliance data from site visits, online audits and industry outreach

e) Provide a written report on the effectiveness of state standards for the Commonwealth’s legislature prior to June 1, 2028

5) Recommend potential opportunities for efficiency standards as provided below:

a) Coordinate with regional and national organizations and market actors to recommend future opportunities for state efficiency standards legislation prior to June 1, 2028

b) Coordinate with regional and national organizations and market actors to recommend regulatory updates to existing efficiency standards and potential future flexible demand standards.

The work and activities described above shall be coordinated with DOER and any work products shall be satisfactory to DOER in all respects.

On January 1 of 2028, the selected Contractor shall work with DOER to potentially adjust the volume and nature of the activities described within this Scope of Work based on compliance levels established by the data collected in the previous year(s). For example, if the data shows that stakeholder questions from a particular industry increase after outreach activities, the selected Contractor may propose to DOER to add additional hours under the addressing questions task in year 2028; provided that the dollar amount of the contract shall not be increased.

VI. DELIVERABLES

Key deliverables as discussed above and as directed by DOER shall be completed by the selected Contractor. Deliverables must conform to the Digital Accessibility Standards as defined in the Enterprise Digital Accessibility Policy as it may be amended from time to time. Such deliverables include:

Task Deliverable Expected Completion

Date 1 2027 implementation plan January 8, 2027 2 Outreach messaging and materials developed January 30, 2027 3 Begin outreach section of Scope of Work February 5, 2027 4 Site visits and online audits begin March 1, 2027 5 First compliance data submitted to DOER April 5, 2027 6 Monthly compliance data submitted to DOER Monthly 7 Revised implementation plan January 1, 2028

8 Memo evaluating effectiveness of existing standards and recommending new standards to legislature June 1, 2028

9 Memo recommending regulatory updates Annually, on October 1 https://www.mass.gov/info-details/enterprise-digital-accessibility-policy#6-digital-accessibility-standards-https://www.mass.gov/info-details/enterprise-digital-accessibility-policy

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VII. CONTRACT INFORMATION

A. Funding availability/duration of contract

The maximum amount of funding for any contract resulting from this RFQ is four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). DOER anticipates that any contract(s) awarded pursuant to this RFQ to be for a term of two years from the date of contract execution with a one-year option to renew.

The DOER in its sole discretion may exercise its one-year option to renew by providing the selected Contractor with thirty days ‘written notice of its intent to renew the contract prior to the contract end date under the same terms and conditions as contained in any resulting contract. Any resulting contract from this RFQ is subject to available funding. DOER reserves the right to hire a Contractor for a limited scope of work if necessary to meet the budget parameters.

The selected Contractor acknowledges and agrees that Statewide Contract PRF74 Energy Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services (PRF74) used to procure these services expires on December 31st, 2028, with an automatic extension through June 30, 2029. The DOER may procure services under PRF74 through June 30, 2029.

The DOER in its sole discretion may extend beyond June 2029 if the selected Contractor has been awarded and signed the new Energy, Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services issued and managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Operational Services Division. If the Contractor has not submitted and or has not been selected and approved as a Contractor under the new Energy Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services Contract, then this contract shall be terminated and shall not be extended beyond June 30, 2029.

B. Contract Expansion

If additional funds become available during the contract duration period, DOER reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation to the contract executed as a result of this RFQ, with related additional tasks to be determined by mutual written agreement consistent with the terms of statewide contract PRF74.

C. Contractor’s responsibility and invoicing

The selected Contractor will be responsible for timely completion of the requirements described above and as directed by DOER. The selected Contractor must assume overall responsibility for coordinating and completing all deliverables contained in the resultant contract. All invoices must be submitted to DOER on a schedule and in a format to be agreed upon by DOER and the selected Contractor. Invoices shall include sufficient back-up documentation to support the amount being invoiced.

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D. The Commonwealth’s responsibility

DOER’s Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing all tasks undertaken by the selected Contractor, including but not limited to developing of a Statement of Work and schedule; reviewing, commenting on, and approving deliverables; coordinating with DOER and other program staff; and approving invoices promptly.

VIII. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Respondents to this RFQ-ENE-202X-0XX must respond via the COMMBUYS web portal and must also submit an electronic proposal to DOER.ApplianceStandards@mass.gov by 4:00 P.M.

EST on October 9, 2026. Late proposals will not be accepted. Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Proposals should not be submitted in an elaborate format that includes expensive binders or graphics. Unnecessary attachments beyond those sufficient to present a complete, comprehensive, and effective response will not influence the evaluation of the proposal. Each page of the proposal should state the name of the bidder and the page number.

Respondents must provide the following sections in their proposal. The proposal must not exceed ten (10) pages, not including resumes, schedule of activities/deliverables, or budget proposal.

1. Applicant Qualifications and Experience:

a. List applicant organization (name, address, contact person), any partner organization(s) (name, address, contact person), and key individuals that are part of the team and will be working on this project. Resumes for individual team members should be attached to an appendix and do not count toward the page limit.

b. For each organization and key individual team member, a description of the activities to be performed to meet the deliverables in section VI, and relevant experience.

c. Descriptions of relevant projects on which the applicant and, if appropriate, key individuals, have worked on in the past.

d. Contact information for person(s) whom DOER can contact regarding the applicant’s and, if appropriate, key individuals’, past performance on relevant projects.

e. Completed Digital Accessibility Questionnaire for Vendors. The Questionnaire should be attached in an appendix and does not count toward the page limit.

2. Budget: A budget, broken out by task, staff-person, and hourly rate. Respondents must provide project‐based pricing instead of the maximum billing rates established in PRF74.

Consultants must include any and all ancillary services in the project price. DOER under no circumstance will pay additional invoices related to project‐based procurement. Proposals that include partnerships must designate one party as the lead Contractor and identify the team of subcontractors (collectively referred to as subcontractors).

mailto:DOER.ApplianceStandards@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/doc/vendor-digital-accessibility-questionnaire/download

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IX. PROPOSAL EVALUATION

The selected Contractor shall demonstrate the experience, ability, and skills to complete projects of this type on time and within budget.

All proposals received by the due date and meeting the requirements established in this RFQ will be reviewed and evaluated by DOER. The evaluation will include, but will not be limited to, the following criteria:

• Effectiveness of the proposed approach: Respondent’s proposed approach demonstrates understanding of the tasks and a logical approach. Respondent demonstrates understanding and sound approach to proposed Scope of Work.

• Likelihood of proposal to achieve outcomes: Respondent’s proposal, hours allocated to each task, and team composition suggests likelihood of proposal to achieve outcomes and produce deliverables on schedule.

• Respondent’s experience with similar projects and relevant subject matter: Respondent team has demonstrated experience including background, knowledge, and experience with the tasks and subject matter described in the Scope of Work, above.

• Respondent’s experience with meeting Digital Accessibility Standards

• Specific experience supporting appliance standards in other jurisdictions.

• Extent to which the proposed budget demonstrates the best value to the Commonwealth, including consideration of total cost and hourly rates for team members.