RFP27007093 Scope of Work.pdf

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 1 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

HEADER

TITLE: RFP27007093 OER Solar Quality Assurance Study and Report

DESCRIPTION: The selected consultant will work with the Office of Energy Resources (OER) to produce a Quality Assurance Study and Report on the quality of the Renewable Energy Growth Program installed during the 2026-2028 program years. The consultant will conduct a study and analysis of the installations and prepare and present a report to OER.

PRE-BID/ PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:NO

CONTRACT TERMS:

The initial contract period will begin approximately January 1, 2027 for three years. Contracts may be renewed for up to two additional 12-month periods at the sole discretion of the State based on vendor performance and the availability of funds.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

In accordance with this solicitation and as outlined in Section 13.19 of the General Conditions of Purchase, found at https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/220-30-00-13, and General Conditions

- Addendum A, found at https://ridop.ri.gov/about-us/procurement-statutes-and-regulations, the following insurance coverage shall be required of the awarded vendor(s):

General Requirements:

13a) ☒ Commercial General Liability – Combined single limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 general aggregate and $1,000,000 products/completed operations aggregate.

13b) ☒ Workers’ Compensation – $100,000 each accident, $100,000 disease or policy limit and $100,000 each employee.

13c) ☒ Automobile Liability – $1,000,000 each occurrence combined single limit.

13d) ☐ Crime – $500,000 per occurrence or 50% of contract amount, whichever is greater.

Professional Services:

13e) ☒ Professional Liability (“Errors and Omissions”) – $2,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 annual aggregate.

https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/220-30-00-13 https://ridop.ri.gov/about-us/procurement-statutes-and-regulations

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 2 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

SECTION A: BACKGROUND

The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program, administered by Rhode Island Energy, supports the development of distributed generation projects in Rhode Island. Eligible technologies include wind, solar, hydropower, and anaerobic digestion. The program enables customers to sell their generation output under long-term tariffs at fixed prices.

Each year the program is revised with new ceiling prices and megawatt allocation plan.

The Distributed Generation Contracts Board (DG Board), a ten-member board, oversees the REG program and is responsible for developing and recommending the annual program plan.

The annual program plan includes three components, the megawatt allocation plan, ceiling prices for each allocation, and recommendations related to quality assurance. The DG Board votes annually on all three plan components in the fall and then OER files the plan with the Public Utility Commission. After the PUC approved the plan, the program year usually begins on April 1st of each year. The typical program year begins on April 1st and runs through March 31st of the following calendar year. In 2025, the PUC renamed program years to reflect both calendar years the program is active. For example, the 2025 program year was changed to be the 2025-26 program year. Through this RFP, a consultant will be hired to conduct renewable energy project inspections during the 2027-28 program year, conduct a survey of Small Scale solar customers and write the annual “Quality Assurance Study and Report”. The report will also include sections related to recommendations for the development of the quality assurance plan for the 2027-28 program year. This report will be presented to the DG Board and submitted to the Public Utility Commission.

OER and the DG Board are aware of the safety concerns associated with solar PV technology. Most of the projects participating in the REG program are solar PV systems of various sizes (1kw-5MW). Solar PV is a maturing industry in Rhode Island with new installers coming into the state and the existing solar installation companies hiring more employees. It is paramount for Rhode Island Energy, the DG Board, and OER that all installations are safe, high quality, performing as expected, and in conformance with the stated specifications. OER, working with the selected consultant, will continue to monitor inspection quality of PV systems participating in the REG program and implement a plan to ensure the goals of realizing an expanding PV market and safe solar installations in RI.

*For more information related to the REG program visit:

https://www.rienergy.com/site/other-parties/business-partners/rfp-and-procurement/re-growth-program/enrollment-calendar

An inspection is defined an on-site assessment of the project by a licensed electrician (for PV projects) of an installed system to determine compliance with appropriate codes, including provision of required labeling and operating instructions, and verification that the system components have been installed with the specifications provided on the project interconnection application to Rhode Island Energy. In addition, OER and Rhode Island Energy have developed

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 3 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026 a Minimum Technical Guidance (MTG) document that projects will be inspected to.3 Inspections include a detailed field inspection, a corrective action report (CAR), an inspection report summary sent to the homeowner, and a final inspection report for each project which is submitted to OER detailing the inspection findings.

Additionally, updates to REG programmatic materials and documents are needed because of state policy changes and/or changes in National Electric Code (NEC). The selected vendor will work with OER to identify the timing of when documents and materials need to be updated. Trainings specific to solar installers, municipal officials and first responders may also be needed as a results of these changes and the selected consultant will work with OER to identify and facilitate trainings when warranted.

SECTION B: SCOPE OF WORK AND REQUIREMENTS

The DG Board, as directed by the General Assembly (§39-26.6-4), monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the REG program. The selected consultant will work with the DG Board and OER to produce a Quality Assurance Study and Report on the quality of the REG projects installed in the 2027-28 program year. The consultant will conduct a study and analysis of the installations and prepare and present a report to the Board. The DG Board and/or OER may request periodic updates to be given either at a DG Board meeting, in person or virtually or via email.

Task 1 – Inspections, Audits, and Data Analysis of Small Scale Solar PV Projects (<25kW)

Small Scale projects are defined as any PV project under 25kW awarded a certificate of eligibility with the REG program. Working with OER, the selected consultant will determine the number of installed and interconnected small scale projects to inspect and the plan for inspection scheduling. The bulk of inspections included in this Scope of Work will be small scale PV projects. Between 2015-2022 around 800-1200 small scale installs per year took place. Since 2023, that number has decreased significantly. The following chart shows the number of installed small scale REG solar projects since 2021.

*Applications in the interconnection queue, 2 projects are operational as of 10/1/26.

Due to low Small Scale enrollment numbers OER and the DG Board decided to skip inspections for the 2026-27 program year. Considering this continued uncertainty, it is expected that the selected consultant should assume at least 50 small scale inspections for the 2025-26 and 2026-2027 program years. Applicants must include in the proposal an

Program Year Number of Installed Small Scale REG Projects

2021 1443 2022 1158 2023 69 2024 190

2025 (April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026) 51 2026 (April 1, 2026-October 1, 2026) 81*

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 4 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026 estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect a small scale PV system and provide the estimated average cost for each inspection.

The vendor must create a standardized inspection report template that will be sent to the solar installer and an inspection report template for the homeowner, which should include a high-level summary that is easy to understand and jargon-free (see task 11 for more details on this). The inspection report templates must be provided to OER in advance for review and approval before inspections begin.

All site inspections for PV projects will take place after the installation has occurred and the system is interconnected to the distribution system.1 Evaluation items include, but are not limited to, onsite panel shading, NEC compliance, system design, engineering, layout, and customer satisfaction. Given the uncertain number of small scale installations, a sampling memo of projects to be inspected must be submitted to OER for review and approval. The memo should consider the number of installers participating in the program and include a plan for inspecting a percentage of each installer’s projects.

All self-installations must receive an inspection.

Inspections must be scheduled within one month of OER approval of the sampling memo. Should issues arise with scheduling due to property owner conflicts, all reasonable efforts to schedule the inspection should be made. If an inspection takes more than 15 business days to schedule OER must be notified. Rhode Island Energy has included language in the REG small scale rules that all REG projects are subject to inspections.2 All reasonable efforts must be made to conduct inspections in a timely manner.

Deliverables for Task 1 include:

A. Sampling memo B. Draft small scale inspection reports for approval B. One (1) PV Site Inspection Report per field inspection.

Inspection reports are due to OER within thirty (45) business days after the inspection and study has been performed. All inspection reports are public documents and should be written in a professional manner. See Task 11 for more details related to providing homeowners with copies of the inspection reports.

Task 2 - Inspections and Audits of Medium Scale Solar PV Projects (25kW-250kW)

Medium scale projects are defined as any project between 26kW-250kW. This size category is the most popular among the non-small scale classes. It is expected that this category will continue to see a high volume of projects and that field inspections will take longer than a small scale inspection. Applicants must include in the proposal an estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect a 250kW PV system and provide the estimated average cost for each inspection. Evaluation topics include, but are not limited to, NEC compliance, 1 It is expected that most inspections will take place after interconnection. However, should an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) requests a rough inspection or pre-interconnection inspection, the selected consultant may align their site inspection at that time.

2 See Section 3.5 - https://www.rienergy.com/site/-/media/rie-jss-app/home/other-parties/business-partners/electric-procurement/RE-growth-program/PY25-RI-RE-Growth-Program-Solicitation-REG_Small-Scale-Solar-Rules_Mar- 2025_Redline_3-13-2025.ashx?sc_lang=en&hash=93F20FAC88CA96448A9301DAEAC4A300 https://www.rienergy.com/site/-/media/rie-jss-app/home/other-parties/business-partners/electric-procurement/RE-growth-program/PY25-RI-RE-Growth-Program-Solicitation-REG_Small-Scale-Solar-Rules_Mar-2025_Redline_3-13-2025.ashx?sc_lang=en&hash=93F20FAC88CA96448A9301DAEAC4A300 https://www.rienergy.com/site/-/media/rie-jss-app/home/other-parties/business-partners/electric-procurement/RE-growth-program/PY25-RI-RE-Growth-Program-Solicitation-REG_Small-Scale-Solar-Rules_Mar-2025_Redline_3-13-2025.ashx?sc_lang=en&hash=93F20FAC88CA96448A9301DAEAC4A300 https://www.rienergy.com/site/-/media/rie-jss-app/home/other-parties/business-partners/electric-procurement/RE-growth-program/PY25-RI-RE-Growth-Program-Solicitation-REG_Small-Scale-Solar-Rules_Mar-2025_Redline_3-13-2025.ashx?sc_lang=en&hash=93F20FAC88CA96448A9301DAEAC4A300

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 5 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026 system design, engineering, layout, interconnection, and customer satisfaction.

Deliverables for Task 2 include:

A. One (1) PV Site Inspection Report per field inspection.

Task 3 - Inspections and Audits of Commercial and Large Scale Solar PV Projects (251kW+) It is expected that all projects 251kW and above will be inspected in the field by the selected vendor. These projects are often complicated and have multiple parties involved. The consultant must be proficient in working with multiple parties (developer, general contractor, etc.) to inspect large systems. Evaluation topics include, but are not limited to, NEC compliance, system design, engineering, layout, interconnection, and customer satisfaction.

It is expected that the project inspections for this category will take a certain number of hours to perform. Applicants must include in the proposal the estimated amount of time and cost, on average, to inspect and produce site inspection reports for the following:

• 500kW PV System

• 1MW PV System

• 3 MW PV System

Deliverables for Task 3 include:

A. One (1) PV Site Inspection Report per field inspection.

Task 4 - Inspections of Small Scale PV systems with paired energy storage

Since 2021, Rhode Island Energy has allowed paired small scale PV and energy storage systems to participate in the REG program. This is defined as a battery storage system installed at the same time as a small scale solar system. Battery storage paired with other classes are not currently allowed with the REG program. Additionally, Rhode Island Energy’s Connected Solutions Demand Response program,6 allows battery storage projects to participate.

The selected consultant must be able to subcontract or provide inspection services for battery storage projects, collocated with solar systems. During the 2025 program year (April 1, 2025 – December 30, 2025), no small scale PV and battery storage projects have been installed and as of October 2026, no projects are in the pipeline. It is expected that more of these inspections will be needed in future program years. In fact, considerable growth is expected for this system type due to the launch of OER’s new standalone battery rebate program which launched in April 2026. Respondents to this RFP must outline experience inspecting projects with battery and/or inverter manufacturers listed on the Rhode Island Energy Grid Demand Response website.

Applicants must include in the proposal the estimated amount of time and cost it may take on average, to inspect and produce site inspection reports for the following:

• An average sized residential PV and energy storage system installed concurrently

Deliverables for Task 4

A. One (1) PV and energy storage inspection report per field inspection.

B. An energy storage section of the sampling memo (referenced in Task 1)

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 6 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

Task 5 – Inspections of other non-PV Renewable Technologies - Anaerobic Digestion, Hydropower, and Wind

The selected consultant must be able to subcontract or provide inspection services for other technologies other than solar PV. Inspections of these technologies are rare but will be required if a Certificate of Eligibility is issued for one of these technologies. It is not expected that any wind, hydro, or AD project inspection will be needed in Program Year 2026-27. OER will work with the selected consultant on a plan for inspection as needed.

However, there may be inspections required for these technologies in future program years. Applicants must include in the proposal the estimated amount of time and cost it may take on average, to inspect and produce site inspection reports for the following:

• 1 MW anaerobic digestor project

• 1MW small hydro project

• 5MW wind project

Deliverables for Task 5

A. One inspection report for any applicable anaerobic digestion, hydropower or wind project

Task 6 – Customer Feedback Survey

To augment findings from onsite inspections, the selected consultant will conduct a survey of REG small scale customers that have participated in the REG program. The survey should be web-based and be deployed via email. Questions should include, but are not limited to:

• What is customers’ perception of and feedback on the quality assurance process?

• What is customers’ level of satisfaction with installation quality?

• How responsive are installers to customers’ needs or inquiries?

• How much information did customers have about the REG program before enrollment?

• What level of continuing administrative support is provided to REG customers?

• What is customer satisfaction with the REG payment process?

• Questions related to PV and energy storage

The survey will be developed in conjunction with Rhode Island Energy, to ensure consistency with the utility’s surveying of customers. OER will provide past examples of the customer survey to the selected consultant. To encourage participation, the selected consultant should plan for providing a small incentive to customers who respond to the survey. Survey results should be analyzed and summarized in the final report.

Deliverables for Task 6

A. Development of the survey B. Virtual meeting with OER and Rhode Island Energy to discuss the survey C. Deployment of the survey

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 7 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

Task 7 – Interim Status Report

The selected consultant will develop an interim summary report at the midpoint of the inspection and survey tasks described above. The report, submitted via email, will summarize high level findings to date from inspections, highlighting common installation issues and concerns, any frequent occurrences of code compliance or industry best practices, installer responsiveness to completing corrective actions and customer feedback. Most importantly this report should flag any consistent issues related to interconnection that Rhode Island Energy should be aware of. This interim status report will not need graphic design or significant formatting. The maximum length is expected to be no longer than two (2) pages. The report will also preview some of the recommendations for OER, the DG Board and/or Rhode Island Energy with respect to enhancing installation quality. OER reserves the right to waive this task, with reasonable notice to the vendor, if a smaller than normal number of inspections is needed during the program year.

Deliverables for Task 7:

A. Interim status report B. Draft quality assurance recommendations

Task 8 – Final Report

The final deliverable for this project will include the following:

A. A final written report, entitled “2027-28 REG Program Quality Assurance” containing the results and findings of site inspections from Tasks 1-6, a detailed summary of the survey (Task 7), and specific recommendations for quality assurance measures for OER and the DG Board to consider for future program years.

B. Any spreadsheet data, reports, analysis or other work products that may emerge from the inspections.

Deliverables for Task 8:

A. Final Report

Task 9 – Presentations

Upon completion of the final report the vendor will be available for up to two (2) presentations of the inspection results, findings, and recommendations. These will include:

A. Final Report to the DG Board. The consultant will be expected to present the Power Point presentation developed as part of Task 9. This presentation must be in person.

B. Final Report presentation to the Public Utilities Commission, if requested. The selected consultant must be available during any PUC hearings that the consultant’s attendance is requested by the Commission. All attempts will be made to accommodate the consultant’s schedule for this presentation, however final scheduling may be outside of OER’s control.

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 8 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

Deliverables for Task 9:

A. At least one presentation of final report to the DG Board

Task 10 – Trainings and Document Review

On December 1, 2025 the State of Rhode Island formally adopted National Electric Code

2023.3 There are several documents for both solar installers, electricians, and solar customers participating in the REG program that will need to be updated to reflect these changes. Also, other changes to energy policy may necessitate changes to REG programmatic materials. These materials and documents include but are not limited to the REG Minimum Technical Guidance (MTG), electrical line diagrams, interconnection guidance, etc. In addition, changes to NEC and other policy and/or programmatic changes may necessitate the need for industry training. The audience of these trainings may include solar installers, electricians, state and municipal inspectors and first responders.

The selected consultant will work with OER to update documents and provide training as needed.

In addition, the selected consultant will be responsible to continue to monitor industry participation related to new solar installers participating in the REG program as well homeowners who opt to perform a REG installation as a “self installer”. OER hosts the “Webinar for Self-Installers and New Installers” on OER’s REG website.4 The selected consultant will review the webinar to ensure it references the most recent version of NEC and continue to provide certificates of completion to the new installers who complete the webinar and pass the short test. It is expected that the recorded webinar will need to be updated at least once during the term of the contract.

Deliverables for Task 10:

A. Review the REG MTG and update the document to reflect changes in NEC.

B. Review script for “Webinar for Self-Installers and New Installers” and provide new script to reflect changes in NEC and update the script accordingly.

C. Record the “Webinar for Self-Installers and New Installers” utilizing the new script.

D. Review the current online test an installer must complete after watching the webinar and make changes accordingly.

E. Provide certificates of completion to the installers who complete the webinar and pass the test.

F. Provide at least one (1) training to the solar industry in 2027 to reflect changes in

NEC 2023.

Task 11 – Small Scale Inspection Reporting to Homeowners

The selected consultant will be expected to provide an easy-to-read high-level summary of the inspection results to homeowners that receive an inspection under Task 1. The inspection report requirements outlined in Task 1 detail what needs to be submitted to the installation company outlining any corrective actions that may need to take place. In 2024, the DG board requested that homeowners receive information from the inspection firm with details of what was found during the inspection. This requirement was implemented for the first

3https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/510-00-00-5 4 https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/renewable-energy-growth-program-reg-program https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/510-00-00-5 https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/renewable-energy-growth-program-reg-program

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 9 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026 time during the 2025 Program year. The template for this summary document must be provided to OER for approval prior to small scale inspections.

Deliverables for Task 11:

A. Template homeowner inspection summary for OER approval B. Submission the homeowner inspection summary to each homeowner receiving an inspection under Task 1.

Task 12 – Implementation of Email Center for REG Small Scale Customers

During the time that the selected consultant is scheduling and facilitating small scale REG inspections, an email center for customers who may have questions will need to be implemented and staffed with people knowledgeable about the REG program and the inspection requirements.

The email center would be open during the months during and after inspection reports are sent to the homeowner.

Deliverables for Task 12:

A. Operational and staffed email center for small scale REG customers who may have questions about the inspection process, inspection summary, or other inspection related questions. This email center will need to be operational during the months that inspections are being scheduled and implemented.

SECTION C: PROPOSAL MATERIALS

1. Technical Proposal

Narrative and format: Bidders must submit a technical proposal which addresses each of the following elements (this excludes any appendices and as appropriate, resumes of key staff that will provide services covered by this request) *Upload your technical proposal to the “Attach Documents” Technical Proposal Section in OSP as a separate document:

A. Staff Qualifications – Provide staff resumes/CV and describe qualifications and experience of key staff who will be involved in this project, including their experience in providing inspections for renewable energy and energy storage technologies.

B. Capability, Capacity, and Qualifications of the Vendor - Please provide a detailed description of the Vendor’s experience in providing inspections for renewable energy and energy storage technologies. List a minimum of three (3) relevant client references, to include client names, addresses, contact names with emails and phone numbers, dates of service and type(s) of service(s) provided. At least one reference must be for inspection services for renewable energy technologies.

The applicant must show:

a. Clarity of team management structure, the availability of senior staff to supervise and contribute to the work outlined in the Scope of Work and the ability to schedule and complete inspections in a timely fashion.

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 10 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

b. The firm has personnel capacity and organizational resources well suited to the Scope of Work.

c. The applicant has completed similar projects and is qualified to undertake the Scope of Work as outlined in the RFP.

d. Copies of any relevant certifications, including but not limited to electrical licenses, NABCEP certifications, etc.

C. Work Plan - Please describe in detail the framework within which requested the scope of services will be performed to accomplish the work included in Tasks 1-12 outlined in Section B. The following elements should be included: 1) Details related to each task, information on development of each deliverable.

D. Approach/Methodology – Define the methodology to be used for the approach that will be taken for each task in the Scope of Work. Additionally, applicants should provide information on experience and ability to perform inspections for renewable energy and energy storage projects based on their expertise in the industry.

2. Cost Proposal

Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative: Provide a cost proposal for the required services which includes the following information broken down by task.

*Make sure to Attach the document to the “Attach Documents Page” Cost proposal upload Section in OSP. Do Not include in the technical upload section

Task 1 - Applicants must include in the cost proposal an estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect a small scale PV system and provide the cost for each inspection.

Task 2 - Applicants must include in the cost proposal an estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect a 250kW PV system and provide the cost for each inspection.

Task 3 - Applicants must include in the cost proposal the cost for each inspection and estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect and produce site inspection reports for the following:

500kW PV System 1MW PV System 3 MW PV System

If the cost is different for each system size, include the cost per system size as well.

Task 4 – Applicants must include in the cost proposal an estimated amount of time it may take, on average, to inspect a Small Scale PV system with paired energy storage and provide the cost for each inspection.

Task 5 – Applicants should include in the cost proposal the cost and an estimated amount of time it may take to inspect and produce site inspection reports for the following technologies:

3MW wind project 1 MW hydropower project 1MW anaerobic digestor projects

If the cost is different for the various technologies, include the cost per technology as well.

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 11 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

Task 6 – Applicants must include a cost for designing, deploying and summarizing the customer feedback survey to small scale homeowners. The cost should be a flat fee.

Task 7 – Applicants must include the cost for drafting the interim quality assurance report.

The cost should be a flat fee.

Task 8 – Applicants must include the cost for the development and finalization of the quality assurance report. The cost should be a flat fee.

Task 9 – Applicants must include the cost for the presentation of final quality assurance report to the DG Board. While it is expected that one presentation will be required, a second presentation may be needed by the PUC. The costs for this should include:

• Flat fee to develop the presentation

• Flat fee for the DG Board presentation

• Flat fee for a second presentation to the PUC, if needed.

Task 10 – Applicants must include the cost for each of the items listed as deliverables as a flat fee.

• Update to the REG Minimum Technical Guidance

• New Script for “Webinar for Self-Installers and New Installers”

• Record the new “Webinar for Self-Installers and New Installers”

• Update to the online test at the conclusion of the webinar.

• Cost per certificate issued to those who complete the webinar

• Cost to develop a training curriculum to the solar industry on NEC 2023 updates

• Cost to present the solar industry training on NEC 2023

Task 11 – Applicants must include a flat fee for development of the homeowner summary report and a fee for each homeowner summary submitted to the homeowners receiving a small scale inspection.

Task 12 - Applicants must provide a flat fee for the development and implantation of the email center for small scale REG homeowners.

3. Supplemental Bidder Attestation Form See Appendix A on the “Overview” tab in Ocean State Procures™ for information. Vendors are required to complete, sign and submit this form with their overall proposal.

* Make sure to upload this form to the “Attach Documents” Technical Proposal Section in OSP as a separate document. Do not include with your technical proposal.

4. ISBE Proposal See Appendix B on the “Overview” tab in Ocean State Procures™ for information and the MBE, WBE and/or Disability Business Enterprise Participation Plan form(s). Vendors are required to complete, sign and submit these forms with their overall proposal. Please complete separate forms for each MBE, WBE, and/or Disability Business Enterprise subcontractor to be utilized on the solicitation.

*Make sure to Attach the ISBE form to the “Attach Documents Page” Cost proposal upload Section in OSP as a separate upload. Do not include with your cost.

2023-1.v3.04082026 RFP – Agency Solicitation Specifications Page 12 of 12 Revised 4/8/2026

SECTION D: EVALUATION AND SELECTION - SOLICITATION SPECIFIC

Technical proposals must receive a minimum of 55 (78.5%) out of a maximum of 70 points to advance to the cost evaluation phase. Technical proposals scoring less than 55 points shall not have the accompanying cost or ISBE participation proposals opened or evaluated; such proposals shall not receive further consideration.

Technical proposals scoring 55 points or higher shall have the cost proposals evaluated and assigned up to a maximum of 30 points bringing the total potential evaluation score to 100 points.

As total possible evaluation points are determined, vendor ISBE proposals shall be evaluated and assigned up to 6 bonus points for ISBE participation.

Proposals shall be reviewed and scored based upon the following criteria:

Criteria Possible Points Staff Qualifications 10 Points Capability, Capacity, and Qualifications of the Vendor 15 Points Work Plan 25 Points Approach/Methodology 20 Points

Total Possible Technical Points 70 Points Cost Proposal 30 Points

Total Possible Evaluation Points 100 Points ISBE Participation 6 Bonus Points

Total Possible Points 106 Points

Additional evaluation criteria can be found at:

• For those with an OSP account, see the “Requirements” tab of this solicitation in OSP for additional information on the evaluation and selection process in the “RFP Standard Specification” section.

• For those without an OSP account, public access to the full bid can be found at https://ridop.ri.gov/vendors/bidding-opportunities. Search for this solicitation, open the record, click on the “Print/Download Solicitation Summary” button in the upper right corner for all the solicitation requirements and supporting documents are found at the bottom of the page in the “Solicitation Attachments” section.

https://ridop.ri.gov/vendors/bidding-opportunities

SECTION D: EVALUATION AND SELECTION - SOLICITATION SPECIFIC