PON-ENE-2025-007 DOER LBE Restoration Grant for Solar PV and Decarbonized Systems.pdf

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources – PON-ENE-2025-007

1 | P a g e

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

Document Title: Leading by Example Restoration Grant Program for Solar PV and

Decarbonized Systems

COMMBUYS Bid Number: BD-25-1041-ENE01-ENE01-109288

Agency Document Number: PON-ENE-2025-007

Issued: November 1, 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

2 | P a g e

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 DOER Leading by Example (LBE) Division oversees efforts to meet aggressive clean energy targets for

Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Commonwealth) facilities around energy efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The LBE Division works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy efforts and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations. The LBE program serves as a trusted resource and assists transforming policy into action through strategic partnerships, technical assistance, grant funding and nation-leading best practices. By demonstrating leadership within state government, LBE strives to empower residents and businesses to act to collectively address the energy and environmental challenges facing the Commonwealth.

Leading by Example Executive Order 594 (EO 594) Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government (EO 594) directs state entities to reduce or eliminate onsite fossil fuel emissions, and to maximize installation of onsite renewable energy to increase the amount of renewable and clean energy on the grid. EO 594 furthermore directs

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of Energy Resources

100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02114 http://www.mass.gov/doer

Leading by Example Restoration Grant Program for Solar PV and

Decarbonized Systems

PON-ENE-2025-007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2. PROGRAM OUTLINE

3. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

4. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

5. ELIGIBLE COSTS

6. ELIGIBLE PROCUREMENT METHODS

7. FUNDING

8. AWARDS

9. EVALUATION CRITERIA

10. APPLICATION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

11. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

12. GRANT AND CONTACT INFORMATION

https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-594-leading-by-example-decarbonizing-and-minimizing-environmental-impacts-of-state-government

3 | P a g e state entities to prioritize the deployment of battery energy storage wherever possible, especially when paired with onsite renewables.

The Leading by Example Integrated Solar Grant Initiative (“Initiative”) for eligible state entities serves to increase deployment of solar photovoltaics (PV) at state facilities over the next five years; decrease onsite fossil fuel emissions in alignment with EO 594; and bolster the grid and resilience benefits from energy storage and reduce state electricity and/or operational costs. The Initiative provides funding to projects associated with solar and decarbonization activities to support a holistic approach to electrification. The Initiative includes three grant programs:

1) Restoration Grant for Solar PV and Decarbonized Systems

2) Solar PV Deployment with Optional Decarbonization Funding

3) Building/Campus Decarbonization Implementation

This Program Opportunity Notice (PON) solely encompasses the LBE Restoration Grant Program for Solar PV and

Decarbonized Systems (“Restoration Program” or “Program”). The Restoration Program is intended to support projects that increase the amount of active solar PV capacity at state facilities by repairing or replacing components of existing state-owned solar installations in order to help achieve EO 594 targets and directives related to optimizing onsite renewable energy at state facilities. The Restoration Program also supports projects related to existing decarbonized (i.e., efficient electric) system repairs and replacements to help state facilities avoid the use of backup fossil fuel systems and thereby reduce or eliminate onsite emissions from state government operations.

An amount not to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000) in grant funding is available through this PON.

Applications will be reviewed through the PON Response Submission Deadline listed in Section 10, and awards granted on a rolling basis, until available funding under this Program has been exhausted. It is DOER’s intention to leverage funds and support as many projects as possible with the available Program funding, as determined by DOER in its sole discretion, whereby approved applicants may be granted some or all the requested funding amount.

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

2. PROGRAM OUTLINE

The intent of the Restoration Program is to support the affordability of existing solar PV and decarbonized system replacement or repairs at state facilities that will assist Commonwealth entities to reduce energy costs while also supporting the aggressive clean energy targets for state government operations, decarbonization goals, and grid intermittency.

3. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Any executive agency, state institution of higher education, or quasi-public state entity is eligible to apply for a grant award.

The systems or equipment to be repaired or replaced must be Commonwealth-owned.

4. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Program applications 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. DOER expects to provide awards for both solar PV and decarbonized system restoration projects.

A. Solar PV Requirements

The Restoration Program includes funding for projects that increase the amount of active solar PV capacity at state facilities by repairing or replacing components of existing state-owned solar installations. The Restoration Program does not include any limits on the type (e.g., ground-mount, roof, or parking lot canopy) or the size of the existing solar PV system. If a project proponent is seeking to replace a solar installation in full, an application should potentially be submitted to the LBE

Solar-Decarbonization Grant Program instead; interested applicants should contact DOER to confirm.

4 | P a g e

Applicants must provide information in the Application Form (Attachment A) describing:

i. Relative characteristics of the existing solar PV system including but not limited to system age, designed capacity/output, and any previous repairs completed. DOER reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny or reduce grant funding based on a system being past the point of a reasonable return on investment.

ii. System issue(s) for which funds are being requested and/or rationale for preemptive replacement.

iii. The proposed solution(s) that would leverage Restoration Program funding.

To ensure continuing benefits from funding issued through the Restoration Program, grantees must demonstrate that preventive maintenance measures or plans are in place.

B. Decarbonized System Requirements

Restoration Program funding is available for existing, state-owned decarbonized (i.e., efficient electric) system repairs and replacements to help state facilities avoid the use of backup fossil fuel systems such as natural gas boilers.

Decarbonized system restoration funding must be used toward existing air-source heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and/or geothermal systems at state facilities.

Applicants must provide information in the Application Form (Attachment A) describing:

i. Relative characteristics of the existing decarbonized system technology including but not limited to system age, designed capacity/output, and any previous repairs completed. DOER reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny or reduce grant funding based on a system being past the point of a reasonable return on investment.

ii. System issue(s) for which funds are being requested and/or rationale for preemptive replacement.

iii. The proposed solution(s) that would leverage Restoration Program funding.

To ensure continuing benefits from decarbonization investments through the Restoration Program, grantees must demonstrate that preventive maintenance measures or plans are in place.

C. Recycling or Disposal of Replaced Solar PV Panels

When solar panels are to be decommissioned and discarded as part of grant funded projects, state rules require that panel disposal be “properly managed” pursuant to the Massachusetts hazardous waste regulations, 310 CMR 30.000. DOER encourages applicants to pursue recycling of panels and other materials; vendors on the statewide contract for electronic waste disposal (currently FAC110) may be able to subcontract with certified vendors capable of recycling and/or identifying channels for panel refurbishment and re-use in other applications.

5. ELIGIBLE COSTS

Solar PV Restoration Funding

Awards from the Restoration Program may be used to ensure the system can return to its expected output or to ensure the system can operate at its maximum capacity.

Grant funds can only be used for costs directly associated with the repair or replacement of critical components of existing, state-owned solar PV that will result in an increase in active solar PV capacity to the original or an increased production level. Eligible materials costs include but are not limited to PV panels, production tracking systems or monitoring equipment, wiring systems, mounting systems, and inverters. Grant funding may only be used for labor costs that are separate from in-house staff (e.g., competitively procured vendors).

Restoration Program funding may not be used for preventive maintenance plans or extended warranties.

5 | P a g e

Decarbonized System Restoration Funding

Awards from the Restoration Program may be used to ensure the system can return to its expected output or to ensure the system can operate at its maximum capacity; funding is not intended to expand existing systems.

Grant funds can be used for costs directly associated with the repair or replacement of existing, state-owned decarbonized systems, namely air-source heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and/or geothermal systems. Funding awards cannot be used for repairs to roof penetrations such as flashing and sealant.

Eligible materials costs include but are not limited to electrical connections, controls, piping, ductwork, heat exchange systems, collectors, support structures, valves, dampers, pumps, blowers, and storage systems. Grant funding may only be used for labor costs that are separate from in-house staff (e.g., competitively procured vendors).

Restoration Program funding may not be used for preventive maintenance plans or extended warranties.

6. ELIGIBLE PROCUREMENT METHODS

Any entities receiving a grant award will be required to sign terms and conditions to ensure compliance with the Program

Requirements in this PON. All projects shall be in compliance with applicable state procurement and construction laws including but not limited to G.L. c.149 § 44A(2)(G), and Department of Labor Standards prevailing wage requirements.

Eligible state entities must identify the selected procurement method(s) in their application to DOER.

7. FUNDING

The total funding available under this PON is five million dollars ($5,000,000). 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 the Program until all funds have been allocated. At DOER’s sole discretion, approved applicants may be granted some or all of the requested funding amount.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact LBE-Grants@mass.gov prior to submitting a grant application to confirm eligibility and availability of funds.

Project quotes or cost estimates must be secured by the applicant prior to submission of an application to substantiate the funding request.

A. Project Funding

Restoration Program funds are meant to support eligible projects as scoped in the Section 4 Program Requirements for eligible costs outlined in Section 5. In no instance may an applying entity receive more than a hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a project from this grant, including any project components when combined with other internal and/or external funding sources.

Discrete awards, regardless of funding category (solar PV and/or decarbonization) are subject to a maximum total grant of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) per site address, excluding the Environmental Justice Adder.

The Restoration Program shall provide no more than a combined one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to any individual eligible entity, including any Environmental Justice Adder(s).

B. Environmental Justice Adder

An Environmental Justice Adder of ten percent (10%) can be applied to any eligible Restoration Program grant. If the deployment project location, defined as the street address, falls within a census block that includes one or more

Environmental Justice Populations, the Adder shall apply. For example, a project receiving the site address maximum grant of $500,000 that is located in a qualifying census block could receive a total grant award of $550,000 with the adder.

mailto:LBE-Grants@mass.gov

6 | P a g e

Eligibility for the Adder can be determined by using either the statewide Environmental Justice Map or the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

8. AWARDS

All applicants shall complete the “LBE Restoration Grant Program for Solar PV and Decarbonized Systems Application

Form” (Application Form) and submit electronically via email to LBE-Grants@mass.gov; see Section 10, 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 version of the PON and shall not guarantee funding for any such re-submission.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and approved for funds until the monies are no longer available. 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 agreement 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 set forth in the grant documentation have been satisfied, as determined by

DOER in its sole discretion. Awards are anticipated to be made on an ongoing basis.

9. EVALUATION CRITERIA

DOER will review project applications, including any supporting documentation, as they are submitted and at its sole discretion will select projects for pre-approval based on demonstration of meeting the following criteria:

• Projects must meet all requirements as provided for under Section 4 Program Requirements of this PON.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the monies are no longer available.

• If funds are limited, when uncommitted funding reaches one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, DOER will evaluate and rank responses based on the following criteria:

o Cost-containment: Submissions that demonstrate design elements that have reduced capital costs of the project.

o Impact: Comparison of the relative solar capacity that would be brought back online, or the emissions reduction outcomes of proposed decarbonization projects, favoring those with greatest potential for either increasing onsite generation or reducing emissions.

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.

10. APPLICATION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

All applicants shall complete the Application Form and submit it via email to LBE-Grants@mass.gov. In addition, applicants must submit selected vendor proposal(s) for the project which the grant would be supporting, including any equipment and installation costs described in the grant application form. Proposals must provide anticipated schedules for the project implementation, including the start and completion dates and expected timeline for project implementation, if known. The following dates are subject to change.

Issue PON (DOER) November 1, 2024

PON Amended N/A

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

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/environmental-justice-populations-in-massachusetts#environmental-justice-maps-update-2022-https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

7 | P a g e

PON Responses Submission Deadline* June 30, 2027

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

11. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Quarterly Reporting

Quarterly progress reports must be submitted within fifteen (15) days of the end of each quarter including the final quarter of the grant agreement. Quarterly reports shall include the following criteria:

i. Current project status;

ii. Total amount of grant funds expended to-date and amount remaining;

iii. Anticipated schedule of major milestones and completion;

iv. Any deviations in the project which may or may not require changes to an existing grant agreement; and

v. Other updates as pertinent, such as pollinator habitat updates for ground-mount solar projects.

Final Report

A final report must be filed within sixty (60) days of project completion and/or commercial operation. DOER will provide guidance on the final report requirements in the finalized grant agreement.

12. GRANT AND CONTACT INFORMATION

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 Leading by

Example Restoration Grant Program for Solar and Decarbonized Systems, and the project number is PON-ENE-2025-007.

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.

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

Arianna Zrzavy, Clean Energy Engagement 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: Leading by Example Restoration Grant Program for Solar PV and Decarbonized Systems

PON File Number: PON-ENE-2025-007 http://www.commbuys.com/