ESBD_472770_1765982029619_Responses to Questions- RFP 240g.docx

Request for Proposals for Federal Compliance Monitoring Services for the State Energy Conservation Office State Energy Program: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Program (RFP No. 240g)

Official Responses to Questions from Potential Respondents (December 17, 2025)

1. Can SECO provide clarity for the HUB requirements since the program has been frozen? Will bidders be required to submit a utilization plan?

RESPONSE: Procurements currently posted on the ESBD fall under the former rules for HUB and are not affected by recent programmatic updates. Refer to Section 4.2.h (Historically Underutilized Businesses Subcontracting Plan) for more information.

2. Part I (Introduction and Background), Section 1.2 (Background): “SECO will issue a Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA), accepting applications from eligible community centers during a six-month open enrollment period.” How many awards does SECO anticipate making under this program?

RESPONSE: SECO anticipates approximately 8 loans agreements to be executed during the first period of open enrollment. Subsequent rounds of funding shall be available after loan funding is repaid by borrowers.

3. Can SECO please clarify if they are seeking a contractor or subrecipient to perform these monitoring services? Per 2 CFR Part 200, subrecipients are defined as an entity receiving a subaward from a Pass-through entity to carry out Federal award activities, while a contractor is defined as an entity that receives a contract to perform services, such as monitoring, under the Federal award. As different subrecipients and contractors have different requirements, we want to confirm the relationship for this engagement.

RESPONSE: SECO is seeking a contractor to complete the Federal Compliance Monitoring Services referenced in the RFP.

4. Can you provide additional information/details regarding what SECO anticipates for the match component based on prior experience with match utilized from a third-party?

RESPONSE: SECO requires a 10% minimum match requirement. Refer to the Addendum posted to ESBD on December 15, 2025.

5. Has SECO worked with contractors previously who obtained a DOE approved Match Letter, and if so, can you provide additional information regarding this process?

RESPONSE: Refer to the Addendum posted to ESBD on December 15, 2025.

6. Exhibit F (Information Worksheet), Section 2 (Texas Personnel and Subcontractor Qualifications): “The following section must only include information about Firm Personnel and Staff located in the state of Texas.” Can respondents also include qualified personnel with the background and skill set to perform the work but are not physically located in Texas?

RESPONSE: No. Information included in Section 2 (Texas Personnel and Subcontractor Qualifications) of Exhibit F (Information Worksheet) must only include information about Firm Personnel and Staff located in the state of Texas.

7. For the 15% of projects selected for monitoring, will SECO be selecting those projects or will the contractor be selecting those projects?

RESPONSE: SECO will select 15% of the awarded projects to receive site visits.

8. Section 3.4, Limitations for Indirect Costs. Can fully burdened hourly rates be submitted in the cost proposal without details on indirect costs?

RESPONSE: See the response to Question #5.

9. Is SECO looking for a fixed cost for the initial term and optional review period for monitoring each of the compliance areas, monitoring meetings, plan, and reporting? If so, an estimated number subrecipients and meetings would be helpful to determine an estimated cost.

RESPONSE: Respondents should include pricing for each of the fields listed in Price Schedule 2. SECO anticipates approximately 8 loan agreements to be executed under the first period of open enrollment for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Program. The Successful Respondent will meet virtually with SECO, monthly. Please refer to Section 2.2 (Goals and Scope of Work) for additional information regarding meetings.

10. The RFP (page 10) states that “For this RFP, this maximum dollar amount is calculated as 10 percent (10%) of the contract award” as the maximum dollar amount that the state will reimburse for indirect costs and fringe benefits costs, including indirect and direct fringe costs, under its financial assistance awards. The U.S. District Court ruled on May 8, 2025 that the Department of Energy Policy Flash, “Adjusting Department of Energy Financial Assistance Policy for State and Local Governments’ Financial Assistance Awards (2025-25)(“Policy Flash”) was invalid and the Court vacated the Policy Flash. Since the Court vacated the Policy Flash, [A] will SECO be removing the 10% indirect cost limitation and, if not, [B] will SECO please clarify if the indirect cost rate requirement applies to procured vendors?

RESPONSE: See the response to Question #5.

11. Per Section 1.3 (Proposal Details), the RFP requires the Respondent to commit to a 10% match that will be approved by DOE prior to full contract execution. During Contract negotiations, the Successful Respondent will be required to submit a copy of a Match Letter (See Sample Match Letter, Attachment N in Exhibit A, Sample Contract). DOE must review and approve the Successful Respondent’s proposed match prior to commencement of services. Since the Respondent is a contractor/ vendor performing services under the contract separate and distinct from those of sub awardees or subrecipients, will SECO consider removing the 10% match requirement?

RESPONSE: See the response to Question #5.

12. On Exhibit F (Information Worksheet), Section 2A (Firm Personnel), vendors are asked to provide specific description of relevant qualifications and writing skills that person has with this type of service (limit to one page). What is SECO looking for regarding writing skills?

RESPONSE: Provide specific descriptions of relevant qualifications and writing skills that key personnel possess. SECO does not have specific criteria for evaluating writing skills.

13. On Exhibit F (Information Worksheet), Section 4 (Internal Structures and Controls), is there a page limitation for this section?

RESPONSE: No.

Official Responses to Questions from Potential Respondents – RFP No. 240g

Official Responses to Questions from Potential Respondents – RFP No. 240g image1.jpg