FREA Advisory Services RFQ.pdf

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY

AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

FEDERAL AND REGIONAL

ENERGY AFFAIRS OFFICE

MARY LOUISE NUARA, DEPUTY SECRETARY, FEDERAL AND REGIONAL ENERGY

AFFAIRS

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020 Boston, MA 02114

Request for Quotation (RFQ): PRF74 Category 1 Document Title: FREA Contractor for Strategic Federal and Regional Energy

Affairs Advisory Services COMMBUYS Bid Number: Bid BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-132221

Project Number: FY27FREA0008

Issued: August 7, 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

Purchasing Department Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Federal and Regional Energy Affairs (FREA) Office

Address 100 Cambridge Street, 10th Floor City, State Zip Code Boston, MA 02114 Procurement Contact Person Austin Dawson Telephone Number 617-875-6856 E-Mail Address Austin.W.Dawson@mass.gov RFR Name/Title FREA Contractor for Strategic Federal and

Regional Energy Affairs Advisory Services Project Number FY27FREA0008 COMMBUYS Bid Number BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-132221

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

Massachusetts is engaged in multiple transmission planning and wholesale market enhancement activities and is seeking strategic advisory services on how to optimize these efforts to accelerate the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition, strengthen grid reliability and resilience, and maximize benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers.

The purpose of this solicitation is to procure the services of a contractor (“Contractor”) to assist the Federal and Regional Energy Affairs (“FREA”) Office with the following strategic federal and regional energy affairs advisory services –

Transmission Planning and Other Emerging Regional Energy Priorities

At the regional level, the New England states – through the New England States Committee on Electricity (“NESCOE”) – have made significant progress on longer-term transmission planning (“LTTP”) reforms to the ISO New England (“ISO-NE”) Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”).1 On May 9, 2024, after extensive coordination with NESCOE, ISO-NE filed new rules with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) that would allow the states to operationalize LTTP studies, like the 2050 Transmission Study, through a competitive transmission solicitation administered by the ISO. FERC accepted the rules on July 8, 2024. The new rules create a state-driven mechanism to develop regional transmission infrastructure designed to meet multiple policy-related needs (e.g., reliability, market efficiency, and decarbonization) in a more holistic way, with cost sharing among the six New England states. ISO-NE anticipates its preferred Longer-Term Transmission solution determination to be made by no later than September 2026. ISO-NE is also in the process of developing additional longer-term transmission planning and cost allocation rules in compliance with FERC’s Order No. 1920. Contractor will assist the FREA Office in evaluating options for proactive and cost-effective development of transmission infrastructure in connection with longer-term transmission needs, including transmission to accelerate the integration of clean energy resources. Further, Contractor will advise the

1 Additional information regarding the LTTP can be found here: https://www.iso-ne.com/system-planning/transmission-planning/longer-term-transmission-studies.

https://www.iso-ne.com/system-planning/transmission-planning/longer-term-transmission-studies https://www.iso-ne.com/system-planning/transmission-planning/longer-term-transmission-studies

FREA Office on strategies to optimize regional transmission planning processes with ongoing interregional transmission planning efforts, including work through the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission (“the Collaborative”).

Contractor should have extensive knowledge of the ISO-NE OATT and technical analyses performed by ISO-NE to evaluate transmission system needs and solutions to achieve the clean energy and decarbonization requirements of the New England states, including ISO-NE’s 2050 Transmission Study. In addition, weight will be given to Contractors with experience developing ISO-NE tariff language.

Wholesale Market Initiatives and Power System Dynamics

In October 2020, the New England states released a Vision Statement for a clean, affordable, and reliable 21st century electric grid, identifying three core segments of the region’s energy system that require significant changes, including wholesale electricity market design. The Vision Statement expressed the New England states’ view that the region’s existing wholesale electricity markets must modernize if they are to support achievement of clean energy laws, while maintaining system reliability and fostering more affordable electricity for consumers.

Contractor will advise the FREA Office on current and emerging proposals to reform ISO New England’s energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets, including the potential impact on Massachusetts ratepayers, grid reliability and resilience, and achievement of the Commonwealth’s clean energy and decarbonization requirements. Further, Contractor will advise the FREA Office on federal and regional developments on generation interconnection and large load integration.

Massachusetts is also exploring strategies to enhance the procurement of clean energy resources needed to meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization requirements. Some of these strategies involve changes to existing state procurement authority, as well as coordination and collaboration with other New England states that share similar decarbonization mandates.

Contractor will assist the FREA Office with developing strategies for optimizing and sequencing state clean energy procurements and ISO-NE wholesale market and transmission planning programs and initiatives. Contractor will advise the FREA Office on compatible wholesale market reforms to support the financing and deployment of clean energy resources, consistent with the Commonwealth’s decarbonization requirements.

2. Applicable Procurement Law

Check Appropriate Box (“X”): Type of Purchase Applicable Laws

Executive Branch Goods and Services

☒ Goods and Services MGL c. 7, § 22; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801 CMR 21.00

☐ Human and Social Services MGL c. 7, § 22, § 22N; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801 CMR

21.00; 808 CMR 1.00

☐ Legal Services MGL c. 30, § 51, § 52 and § 65; c. 7, § 22; and 801 CMR 21.01(2) (b)

☐ Grants MGL c. 7A, § 7; St. 1986 c. 206, § 17; 815 CMR 2.00

3. Acquisition Method

Check All Applicable (“X”): Category

☒ Fee-For-Service ☐ Outright Purchase ☐ Rental (not to exceed 6 months) ☐ Term Lease ☐ License ☐ Other:

4. Whether Single or Multiple Contractors are Required for Contract

Check One (“X”):

☒ Single Contractor ☐ Multiple Contractors

5. Estimated Number of Awards

The target maximum number of Contractors is 1; the Purchasing Department may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to do so.

6. Entities Eligible to Use the Resulting Contract

Check One (“X”): Eligible Entities

☐ Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Defined Entities Only. Any Contract(s) resulting from this Bid will be open for use by the issuing Purchasing Department and the following other entities:

☒ Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Issuing Entity Only.

7. Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Contract Duration Number of Options Number of Years/Months Initial Duration 12 months Renewal Options 12 months Total Maximum Contract Duration 24 months

8. Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation

Total Estimated Value of Procurement: $100,000.00

9. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

a) Scope of Services:

The Contractor’s main responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

• Advise and support the FREA Office in developing strategies to coordinate and enhance state, regional, and interregional transmission planning processes to accelerate investments in transmission infrastructure needed to integrate clean energy resources.

• Assist and support the FREA Office in evaluating all options for proactive and cost-effective development of transmission infrastructure to integrate clean energy resources through competitive transmission solicitations administered by the ISO through the new LTTP process and, if implemented, the Order No. 1920 process.

• Assist and support the FREA Office in developing strategies for and engaging in the Collaborative.

• Advise and support the FREA Office on current and upcoming proposals to reform ISO- NE’s wholesale electricity markets, including their potential impact on Massachusetts ratepayers, grid reliability and resilience, and achievement of the Commonwealth’s clean energy and decarbonization requirements.

• Advise and support the FREA Office on strategies to finance and deploy clean energy resources, including consideration of potential market-based mechanisms or other structures.

b) Fiscal and Additional Terms:

The contract(s) awarded pursuant to this BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-132221/ Project # FY27FREA0008 will be awarded as a rate-based contract with a maximum dollar amount not to exceed one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in total with a breakdown of the maximum dollar amount for the services described above which together shall not exceed $100,000. The Contract(s) awarded pursuant to this BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-132221/ Project # FY27FREA0008is anticipated to be through June 30, 2027. The FREA Office reserves the right to hire a Contractor for a limited scope of work if necessary to meet the budget parameters.

The selected Contractor will be responsible for the timely completion of the requirements described above and as directed by the FREA Office. In order to provide the breadth of experience and flexibility to meet the anticipated short timelines, the selected Contractor is expected to propose a team and provide details of each team member’s experience. The selected Contractor must assume overall responsibility for coordinating and completing all deliverables contained in the resultant Contract. All invoices must be submitted to the FREA Office on a schedule and in a format mutually agreed to by the FREA Office and the Contractor.

Invoices shall separately bill and report on work done and shall include sufficient back-up documentation to support the amount being invoiced.

If additional funds become available during the Contract duration period, the FREA Office reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation to the Contract executed as a result of this Project # FY27FREA0008 with related additional tasks to be determined by the written mutual agreement of the FREA Office and the selected Contractor consistent with the terms of the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) FREA Contractor for Strategic Federal and Regional Energy Affairs Advisory Services Project # FY27FREA0008 // COMMBUYS Bid Number BD-27-1042-ENV- ENV01-132221scope of this RFR.

The Commonwealth's Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing all services undertaken by the selected Contractor, including but not limited to, developing a Statement of Work; reviewing, commenting, and approving work plans and subsequent deliverables; coordinating with the FREA Office and other program staff as required; approving invoices promptly; and reviewing and preparing work products for reports.

To the extent applicable, the selected Contractor and any resulting Contract shall comply with and/or address any obligation under Massachusetts law that may be applicable to Contractor’s work or the Contractor, as set forth in this RFQ, including, but not limited to, the provisions of M.G.L. c. 149.

c) Performance Measures:

A list of Contract deliverables and performance dates will be included in the Contract executed between the FREA Office and the selected Contractor.

10. Small Business Purchasing Program

a) Program Background

The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (“SBPP”) was established pursuant to Executive Order 523 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

b) SBPP Award Preference

While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (“SSST”) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

c) SBPP Participation Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP-registered business in COMMBUYS:

• Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

• Been in business for at least one year;

• Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

• Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

https://www.mass.gov/sbpp https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-523-establishing-the-massachusetts-small-business-purchasing-program https://www.commbuys.com/bso/

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

d) SBPP Compliance Requirements

It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP Webpage.

e) Program Resources and Assistance

Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

11. Environmentally Preferable Products

Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (“EPPs”) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consistent with 801 CMR

21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

12. Qualifications & Experience

At a minimum, the selected Contractor’s qualifications and experience should include the following elements. A selected Contractor’s qualifications and types of experience may be met through one or more subcontracting relationships. If the Contractor (including subcontractors) has comparable qualifications to those that are listed below but does not have the exact qualifications, the bid should explain so.

• Fifteen (15) or more years of experience working on issues related to (i) the New England transmission system, the ISO-NE OATT, and technical analyses performed by ISO New England to evaluate transmission system needs and solutions to achieve the clean energy and decarbonization requirements of the New England states, including ISO New England’s 2050 Transmission Study, and (ii) ISO-NE’s energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets.

• Extensive knowledge of technical analyses performed by ISO-NE to study interconnection requests for proposed generation and transmission projects, including knowledge of FERC Order 2023 and associated planning procedures to improve interconnection processes. Knowledge of the ISO-NE and other control areas’ energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets.

http://www.mass.gov/sbpp http://www.mass.gov/sbpp mailto:sbpp@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759 https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-515-establishing-an-environmental-purchasing-policy?_ga=2.237660352.1741219494.1633353146-758386467.1632336759

• Experience in the review of complex proposals to provide clean energy via new power purchase agreements (“PPAs”), Transmission Service Agreements (“TSAs”), and other state and federal mechanisms.

• Knowledge of the Commonwealth’s current mechanisms for procuring large-scale clean energy resources and recent clean energy procurements under Section 82, Section 83C, and Section 83D of the Green Communities Act.

• Knowledge of other RTOs’ transmission planning processes and experience with FERC precedent and practice.

13. Evaluation And Award

Contractors must submit responses that meet all the submission requirements of the RFQ. Only responsive proposals that meet the submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team according to the evaluation criteria. Additional information may be requested for evaluation purposes.

a) Process

The FREA Office will review the submitted proposals and may conduct an interview process.

The FREA Office reserves the right to select no respondents if the responses do not meet a sufficient standard based on the evaluation criteria. The FREA Office reserves the right to waive any technical defect or informality in proposals received or to allow the Respondent to correct them, and to accept or reject any proposal or portion thereof. The FREA Office reserves the right to seek additional information from any and all respondents including but not limited to requests for clarifications and interviews. In reviewing proposals or interviewing respondents, the FREA Office may seek the input of other relevant agencies or stakeholders, including the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

b) Evaluation Criteria

Bidder scores will be used to rank bidders and will determine which bidders will proceed to subsequent stages of the evaluation and/or enter into negotiations with the Commonwealth to receive a Contract award. The selected Contractor is required to have 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 the FREA Office. The FREA Office evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to the following:

1) Completeness and clarity of the response (20%)

• Highly Advantageous: Respondent presents a plan of approach to achieve end deliverables that is logical, well thought through, achievable, and fully addresses all elements stated in the RFQ.

• Advantageous: Respondent presents a plan of approach to achieve end deliverables that is moderately logical, somewhat well thought through, contains some project components that may not be achievable, and addresses most, but not all elements stated in the RFQ.

• Not Advantageous: Respondent presents a plan of approach to achieve end deliverables that is not logical, not well thought through, contains many project components that may not be achievable, and does not address many elements stated in the RFQ.

• Unacceptable: Respondent does not present a plan of approach.

2) Qualifications of Team Members (30%)

• Highly Advantageous: Respondent’s proposed team demonstrates significant knowledge in all the following skills: regional transmission planning processes and analyses; ISO-NE tariff development; complex energy, capacity, and ancillary services market designs; regional reliability and resiliency challenges; Massachusetts clean energy solicitations and multi-state procurement activities; and state and federal regulatory proceedings, including recent and pending rulemakings at FERC.

• Advantageous: Respondent’s proposed team demonstrates knowledge in some of the following skills: regional transmission planning processes and analyses; ISO-NE tariff development; complex energy, capacity, and ancillary services market designs;

regional reliability and resiliency challenges; Massachusetts clean energy solicitations and multi-state procurement activities; and state and federal regulatory proceedings, including recent and pending rulemakings at FERC.

• Not Advantageous: Respondent’s proposed team demonstrates limited knowledge in a few of the following skills: regional transmission planning processes and analyses; ISO-NE tariff development; complex energy, capacity, and ancillary services market designs; regional reliability and resiliency challenges; Massachusetts clean energy solicitations and multi-state procurement activities; and state and federal regulatory proceedings, including recent and pending rulemakings at FERC.

• Unacceptable: Respondent’s proposed team demonstrates limited to no knowledge in many of the required skills.

3) Respondent’s experience with similar projects (30%)

• Highly Advantageous: Respondent has fifteen (15) or more years of experience working on projects of a similar type, size and scope to this project.

• Advantageous: Respondent has less than fifteen (15) years but more than ten (10) years of experience working on projects of a similar type, size and scope to this project.

• Not Advantageous: Respondent has ten (10) or less years of experience working on projects of a similar type, size and scope to this project.

• Unacceptable: Respondent has no experience working on projects of a similar type, size and scope to this project.

4) Price (20%)

• Highly Advantageous: Respondent presents a reasonable budget with expected hours of work broken down by major tasks and by personnel for each service described herein.

• Advantageous: Respondent presents a reasonable budget but without expected hours of work broken down by major tasks and by personnel for each service described herein.

• Not Advantageous: Respondent presents an unreasonable budget with or without hours of work broken down by major tasks and by personnel for each service described herein.

• Unacceptable: Respondent does not present a budget with expected hours of work broken down by major tasks and by personnel for each service described here.

Note: Proposals will be evaluated on price and those that can accomplish the scope with lower budgets will be weighed more favorably. The Commonwealth makes no guarantee that any commodities or services will be purchased from any contract resulting from this solicitation.

14. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Respondents to this RFQ must respond via COMMBUYS by 5:00 P.M. EST on August 26, 2026.

Late proposals will not be accepted. Faxed proposals will not be accepted. 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.

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFQ.

Responses must be sent via the “Create Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Appendix B.

Any submission that fails to meet the submission requirements of the RFQ will be found non-responsive without further evaluation unless the evaluation team, at its discretion, determines that the non-compliance is insubstantial and may be corrected. In these cases, the evaluation team may allow the vendor to make minor corrections to the submission.

Responses that do not include all of the information outlined in the Response Package Contents section below may be disqualified. The FREA Office may ask applicants to provide additional information or to participate in an interview.

Once the award is made, all submissions are subject to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., Chapter 66, Section 10, and to Chapter 4, Section 7 and Subsection 26.

15. Response Package Contents

Respondents must provide the following sections in their proposal. All responses must include a Transmittal Letter, Executive Summary, Narrative Section, and Cost Proposal as defined below:

Transmittal Letter (1-page limit): The transmittal letter should highlight any special features of the response and include the name, phone number, and email for the Applicant’s point of contact and must identify this PON by number (BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-132221/ Project # FY27FREA0008. The transmittal letter should acknowledge any Amendments to this RFQ posted on COMMBUYS and be signed by a representative of the Applicant who has the authority to bind the Applicant.

Executive Summary (1-page limit): The executive summary must contain the key components of the response, including the Contractor’s name, names of key personnel that will be involved in the project and their respective roles, and a brief description of the organization’s experience working on matter related to transmission and wholesale electricity markets.

Narrative Section (6-page limit): A narrative, not to exceed six (6) pages, describing the respondent’s qualifications and experience (the page limit does not include resumes or the cost proposal).

Cost Proposal (2-page limit): A cost proposal, broken out by services listed in the scope, staff person, and hourly rate. Respondents must provide project-based pricing instead of the maximum billing rates established in PRF74. Contractors must include any and all ancillary services in the project price. The FREA Office under no circumstance will pay additional invoices related to project-based procurement. Proposals that include partnerships must designate one party as the lead contractors and identify the team of subcontractors.

Proposals that include partnerships must designate one party as the lead contractor and identify the team of subcontractors.

16. Estimated Procurement Calendar

Procurement Activity Date

Bid Release Date 8/7/2026

Deadline for Questions 8/14/2026 at 5:00 pm

Official Answers for Bid Q&A published (Estimated) 8/21/26 Deadline for Quotes/Bid Responses

(“Bid Opening Date/Time”) 8/26/2026 at 5:00 pm

Notification of Apparent Successful Bidder(s) (Estimated) 8/31/2026

Estimated Contract Start Date 9/18/2026

17. Required Forms

Responses to this RFQ must contain the following documents:

Check if applicable (“X”)

Form/Document Notes/Instructions (If any)

Standard Contract Form and Instructions Electronic Submission Supplier Diversity Plan Form Commitment Electronic Submission Prompt Payment Discount Form Electronic Submission

The above attachments are available as part of the Bid record on COMMBUYS

(WWW.COMMBUYS.COM).

18. Signature

Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways:

1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper);

2. Electronic signature that is either:

a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device;

b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature

3. Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign.

If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

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