V2 Cape Light Compact RFP for Residential Turnkey Services for Single and Multi Family.pdf

[v. February 2026]

CAPE LIGHT COMPACT JPE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR ENERGY RELATED SERVICES

SECTION 1. GENERAL OVERVIEW

A. Background

The Cape Light Compact JPE (the “Compact”) is a regional energy services governmental organization comprised of and serving the twenty-one towns of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The Compact is a joint powers entity and municipal aggregator pursuant to M.G.L. c.

40, §4A½ and M.G.L. c. 164, §134. More information about the Compact is available at https://www.capelightcompact.org.

The Compact’s mission is to serve its 205,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy and renewable competitive electricity supply.

The Compact is operating an Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan approved pursuant to M.G.L. c. 25, §§19, 21 which is periodically updated and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (the “Plan”).

B. Project Overview/Description of Services

The Compact’s Chief Procurement Officer hereby requests proposals from qualified professionals to provide energy related services Lead Vendor implementation and management services for the Cape Light Compact’s single family (1-4 units) and multifamily residential (5+ units) turnkey services program (the “Project”) The Program and its goals are delivered in alignment with the Compact’s current Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan. For more information on the single and multifamily residential turnkey services program(s), visit section 3.1.2.

(Residential Turnkey Solutions) of The Massachusetts 2025-2027 Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan1

See Attachment A to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for more details on the Project and description of Services requested.

The Compact is strongly committed to ensuring that the Project provides opportunities for businesses and individuals who historically have been underrepresented in the energy efficiency contracting field. In accordance with applicable laws, the Compact encourages submission of proposals that incorporate participation by diverse and small business enterprises in as many https://www.masssave.com/about-us/three-year-plan https://www.capelightcompact.org/ https://www.masssave.com/about-us/three-year-plan aspects of the Project as possible. In issuing this RFP, the Compact reviewed the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office’s list of certified businesses to identify potential Proposers.

SECTION 2. RFP SCHEDULE AND RELATED MATTERS

A. RFP Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule noting target dates for phases and tasks to be completed:

July 7, 2026 Publication of RFP advertisement July 7, 2026 RFP issued August 5, 2026 Informational conference call August 5, 2026 Written inquiries due August 11, 2026 Responses to inquiries posted September 8, 2026 Proposals due by 12:00 p.m. ET September 11, 2026 Interviews scheduled, if necessary September 16, 2026 Vendor selected September 29, 2026 Kick-off meeting September 29, 2026 Project implementation

*If you are interested in participating in the Informational Conference Call, please notify Margaret Song via email at msong@capelightcompact.org no later than 12 p.m. EST on August 3, 2026.

B. Questions and Clarifications

Questions or clarifications related to this RFP must be submitted to the Chief Procurement Officer in writing prior to the deadline stated above in order to afford the Compact adequate time to respond with a correction or additional information prior to the deadline for submission of Proposals. Requests for clarification or interpretation must specifically reference the relevant RFP section number, unless such request is of general application (in which case the request for clarification should so note). Should it be found necessary or useful, a written addendum will be incorporated into this RFP. Parties who have received a copy of this RFP will be notified of issuance of an addendum.

C. Interviews

The Compact may elect to interview Proposers in person or via Zoom teleconference. In the event that the Compact elects to do so, interviews shall be given to the top three (3) Proposers ranking highest in comparative evaluation criteria as set forth in this RFP. The Compact strongly recommends that the key staff designated in its Proposal represent the Proposer at the interview.

D. Notification of Contract Award mailto:msong@capelightcompact.org

All Proposers will be notified of the contract award decision within 30 days of the date Proposals are due to the Compact unless otherwise notified by the Compact. In no case will the award be made beyond forty-five (45) days unless Proposer agrees to extend the period of time for which its Proposal is valid.

If a contract is not executed by the chosen Proposer by October 8, 2026, the Compact reserves the right to negotiate with alternative Proposer(s) in order to execute contracts by October 23, 2026.

SECTION 3. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

The following general qualifications apply to all vendors engaged by the Compact and Proposers who cannot meet these requirements should not submit Proposals:

A. The Proposer must be organized or registered to do business in Massachusetts, and in good standing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

B. The Proposer must be an individual or established business, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, joint venture, firm, agency, or other entity engaged in the regular practice of providing such services as the principal business for which the entity was organized.

C. The Proposer must have all necessary current licenses and registrations required to perform the requested services.

D. The Proposer cannot be debarred under M.G.L. c. 149, §44C, or disqualified under M.G.L. c. 7, §38H, as applicable.

E. The Proposer must be able to demonstrate that it is financially solvent.

F. The Proposer will appropriately staff a bi-weekly one-hour virtual meeting to discuss relevant program implementation topics for both the single family and multifamily turnkey services programs with Compact staff.

G The Proposer must be able to staff in-person quarterly contractor meetings at a location central to Cape and Vineyard contractors for program contractors who do program work on behalf of the Compact.

I The Proposer must be able to demonstrate their ability to appropriately staff, schedule, and implement all in-field services of the program in a reasonable timely manner from the initial intake of the customer to the time of the home energy assessment, special home visit, turnkey heat pump scoping visit, and/or QA/QC visit.

J The winning Proposer will be responsible for implementation of the program described in Attachment A (the “Program”). This means it will manage and operate the Program, including management, supervision and control of all subcontractors and independent contractors participating in the Program. In addition, the winning Proposer will be responsible for entering into and managing the contractual relationships with the subcontractors and independent contractors and ensuring that such subcontractors and independent contractors understand, acknowledge, and agree that the Compact has no liability to them in connection with winning Proposer’s management and operation of the Program.

K. The Proposer should demonstrate staffing expertise, technical expertise, contractor relationship and readiness, and ability to procure and use necessary field equipment and/or software systems to implement the program described in “Attachment A” and according to current (1) Mass Save Energy Assessment Standards (see Exhibit 1), (2) Mass Save Residential Turnkey Solutions Standards for Materials, Installation, Evaluations, and Conduct for Participating Contractors (see Exhibit 2) and for (3) applicable measures referenced in the current Mass Save 2025-2027 Three Year Technical Reference Manual (TRM)2.

SECTION 4. SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

The Compact has identified the following specific qualifications that are unique to the Project.

Proposers who cannot meet these requirements should not submit Proposals:

• A minimum of having successfully delivered at least two (2) similar projects or equivalent experience during the past five (5) years in Massachusetts.

• Proposer is required to have/obtain suitable office, dispatch and warehouse facilities and vehicles as necessary, located within easy access to all parts of the Compact’s service territory. Proposer should describe the planned facilities and equipment to be used in Program implementation and identify the extent to which such facilities and equipment are already on hand. If acquisition of facilities and equipment is required, a timeline should be stated in its response.

• The Proposer (Company) must be Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited/BPI Goldstar Contractor

SECTION 5. CONTRACT

The Compact’s standard Vendor Services Agreement (the “VSA”) is set forth as Attachment B to the RFP. The Compact reserves the right during contract negotiations to expand, modify, supplement and/or add to the VSA.

The VSA has a term of three years with options to renew up to 10 years from the original effective date through the last date of all extended terms.

2 https://www.masssavedata.com/documents/technical-reference/Three-Year%202025- 2027%20Plan%20TRM%20-%20FINAL.pdf https://www.masssavedata.com/documents/technical-reference/Three-Year%202025-2027%20Plan%20TRM%20-%20FINAL.pdf https://www.masssavedata.com/documents/technical-reference/Three-Year%202025-2027%20Plan%20TRM%20-%20FINAL.pdf

The following VSA terms are considered to be material and are generally non-negotiable:

Payment Terms. In accordance with municipal finance laws, the Compact cannot hire vendors on a retainer basis and prepayment for services is prohibited. The Compact will only pay for services satisfactorily rendered.

Termination for Convenience. The Compact will have the right to terminate the VSA for convenience.

Insurance Requirements. Section 6 of the VSA contains the Compact’s insurance requirements. Proposers should assume that they will be required to have all insurance listed and described in the VSA, including cyber liability insurance. When submitting contract exceptions to the VSA, Proposers should note: (i) any insurance that they do not carry; (ii) state if they will be seeking a waiver from a particular insurance requirement, or if they believe a requirement is inapplicable; (iii) the justification for such waiver request; and (iv) if they are willing to obtain all required insurance at their own expense if awarded the contract. Contract insurance costs should be built into Proposer’s pricing proposal.

Indemnification. Proposers will be required to indemnify the Compact. The following types of indemnity-related contract provisions will not be accepted by the Compact: (i) provisions that limit Proposer’s indemnity provisions to third-party claims only; (ii) provisions that require the Compact to indemnify or defend the Proposer; and (iii) provisions that authorize the Proposer to have sole control over the defense or settlement of claims against the Compact.

Liability. The Compact’s liability will be limited to the total price for the Services rendered. The following types of limitation of liability contract provisions will not be accepted by the Compact: (i) provisions that disclaim or limit the liability of the Proposer, or the types of claims that may be brought against the Proposer; (ii) provisions that limit the ability of the Compact to seek any contractual legal or equitable remedies against the Proposer; and (iii) provisions that cap the Proposer’s liability.

Assignment/Subcontracting. Each Proposer acknowledges that if selected by the

Compact to perform the requested services, it will be based upon the Proposer’s demonstrated expertise and experience. Proposers will not be permitted to assign, subcontract or otherwise transfer the VSA in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the Compact, which the Compact may, in its sole discretion, approve or deny for any reason.

If a Proposer believes that a mandatory VSA term will affect its liability risk, it should adjust its contract price accordingly.

Non-mandatory contract terms may be modified and expanded through negotiations. Proposer must identify the specific language in the VSA that it would like to modify, and submit with its Proposal all requested edits to the VSA.

Proposers may not submit their own standard contract forms as responses to this RFP.

SECTION 6. NON-PRICE PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENTS

A. Cover Letter and Signature

Proposer must submit a cover letter which includes its business name(s), address and telephone number, signed by someone authorized to sign such documents. Proposer must acknowledge RFP addenda, if any. All Proposals must include a statement that the Proposal is in accordance with this RFP and that Proposer has read and understands all sections and provisions herein.

The Proposal cover letter must be signed by an officer or authorized representative who has authority to bind the Proposer to a firm price.

B. General Background Information

Proposer must provide its full official business name, any other names that it uses to conduct its business, tax identification number, and its main office address.

Proposer must provide a company profile including length of time in business and core competencies.

Proposer must provide the following statements: (i) statement as to whether Proposer or any affiliate has commenced, or has been forced into, any insolvency proceeding within the last five

(5) years; (ii) statement as to whether Proposer or any affiliate has been subject to any litigation in the last five (5) years; (iii) statement as to whether Proposer or any affiliate has been subject to any investigation by a state or federal agency within the last five (5) years; and (iv) statement as to the number, if any, of consumer complaints filed with a state, federal, or local agency, against Proposer or any affiliate within the last five (5) years. For each event of litigation, investigation or consumer complaint, please provide an explanation.

C. Staffing Requirements

1. Proposer should identify the Project managers, and all individuals to be assigned to the Project. Describe what each individual’s role will be, their duties and responsibilities.

2. Proposer must provide resumes for specific key staff to be assigned to the

Project that include education, relevant past experiences, qualifications, licenses, current projects being worked on and any other pertinent information that will assist the Compact in making its selection.

3. Proposer must briefly describe its organizational capacity to provide the services to be rendered in connection with the Project. More specifically, it should briefly describe the percentage of staff that would work on these services relative to its entire staff (using full-time equivalents). For example, if Proposer would use one (1) full time staffer on the Project and

Proposer has a staff of ten (10), the percentage would be ten percent (10%).

4. The Proposal must include resumes, experience, and qualifications of any proposed subcontractors or consultants that would be utilized by Proposer in the performance of the VSA.

5. Proposer must provide a schematic diagram showing organizational overview including identification of key staff and any supporting vendors or subcontractors, if applicable.

6. If Proposer intends to hire additional staff in order to provide requested services, a description of its approach to hiring and the qualifications it will require of prospective employees should be included.

7. Proposer should describe the sales training provided to field staff (if none, please provide a plan to provide sales training).

8. Proposer should describe its current call center operational capacity including the number of full-time and part-time call center staff, current hours of operation and call volume.

D. Proposed Scope of Services and Related Experience

1. Scope of Services

A draft Scope of Services is attached to this RFP as Attachment A. Proposer must submit its proposed edits to the Scope of Services. This should be submitted in redline format. Proposers may include clarifications, enhancements, improvements and additions to the Scope of Services.

This proposed Scope of Services will be used as the basis for negotiating the final scope for inclusion in Exhibit A of the VSA (Attachment B to this RFP).

In addition to the above, the Services may include other energy related services associated with management and delivery of the statewide energy efficiency programs set forth in the Plan.

These energy related services are necessary for the Compact to provide customers uninterrupted access to program offerings that may evolve over the term of the Compact’s energy efficiency plan(s) as a result of changes in applicable law, regulatory directives and/or other changes in statewide programming.

2. Related Experience

Proposers should submit statements regarding the following to evidence its experience delivering services to those similar in the description of Services:

A. Describe in detail any marketing and outreach approach the Proposer has designed and implemented that has resulted in a desired program outcome. Please include the mechanisms used to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Describe how these methods could be utilized or adapted and implemented for the Compact’s single family and multifamily residential turnkey programs that results in increased number of home energy assessments for customers who have previously never participated in the program, as well as drive conversion rates of weatherization and/or electrification recommendations as a result of the home energy assessment.

B. Describe in detail any relevant approaches or processes Proposer has implemented to ensure an exceptional customer experience. Please provide details of any tools, resources, or software that augment the customer experience that the Proposer has utilized. Please include the mechanisms used to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Please also include any protocols the Proposer has established regarding customer issues, escalation, and resolutions.

C. Describe in detail the description of the tools, resources, software solutions, and/or information management systems the Proposer has utilized to track and report data that are relevant or transferable to the Cape Light Compact’s single family and multifamily programs.

D. Describe in detail any relevant field experience Proposer has in the field of quality control policies and procedures.

E. Describe in detail any relevant experience Proposer has in managing multiple subcontractors.

F. List other similar contracts in force in Massachusetts and/or nationally along with the names or references to be contacted regarding performance for programs that are within the size and scope of the Program.

E. References

Proposer must provide a list of clients that it has performed similar work for in the past three (3) years and any other relevant references with the names and telephone numbers of contact persons for each client.

F. Redlined Contract or Contract Acceptance Letter

Proposer must provide a redlined Microsoft Word version of any requested changes to the VSA set forth in Attachment B. It may not request changes to the non-negotiable provisions listed in Section 5. If Proposer is not requesting any changes to the VSA, it should submit a letter to the Compact with its Proposal stating that it accepts all of the terms and conditions of the VSA as set forth in this RFP.

G. Supplier Diversity

The Compact encourages supplier diversity among its vendors. Proposers should provide information on its efforts to encourage supplier diversity in its workforce and in the selection of subcontractors when permitted.

Proposers are required to submit business diversity certification information in their Proposals. See Attachment C.

H. Ancillary Documents

Proposer must have signed the Certificate of Non-Collusion (see Attachment D), and all other required Proposal forms (including the Proposal Checklist set forth in Attachment F), and have included them in the Proposal.

I. Other

Proposer may submit any other information it considers relevant for the purpose of evaluating its qualifications for the Project.

SECTION 7. SEPARATE PRICING PROPOSAL

Proposals must include a pricing proposal (“Pricing Proposal”) to be submitted separately as set forth in Section 8(A). A pricing schedule for each scope being proposed, with all labor, overhead, travel, and other direct costs associated with the services must be submitted. All general and administrative costs must be included in hourly labor rates and direct expenses.

These terms apply to subcontractor costs as well. Proposer must submit a budget proposal for each of the enumerated scopes, including, but not limited to, all labor, materials, and other direct costs for all of the services and deliverables to be provided under this RFP.

For multi-year contracts, Proposers should submit a single price that will apply to each year of the contract term. The Compact will use the following pricing tables to determine the lowest proposal price.

Pricing Proposals should also state if the same hourly rates would apply for out-of-scope work relating to the requested Services which may be contracted for during the original VSA term.

Pricing Proposals must state if the pricing schedule would remain in effect should the Compact elect to extend the VSA. If Proposer would seek a price increase for any extended term(s), it must state the pricing for such extended term(s) or set forth a formula/price escalation clause to determine such pricing for the extended term(s).

Single Family RTS Pricing Request Pricing Request

Service

Unit Price Additional Details

Call Center Services (scheduling included) Monthly Fixed monthly cost

Contractor Management Fee Monthly

Bidder may wish to provide a cost range dependent on number of participating contractors managed

Turnkey Project Management Fee

Per turnkey heat pump project

Management fee for heat pump system installed activity managed by by LV including project scoping, customer journey management, contractor management, and Quality Control

Turnkey Project Management Fee Per turnkey barrier activity

Management fee for barrier mitigation work related to turnkey activity managed by LV including project scoping, customer journey management, contractor management, and Quality Control

Comprehensive Assessment Per Assessment Fixed Assessment Cost Special Home Visit Per Visit Fixed Visit Cost Quality Assurance/Quality Control Visit Per Visit Fixed Visit Cost Combustion Safety Test Visit Per Visit Fixed Visit Cost

User Fees for Vendor Software Per License/User Fixed cost for license and training

Marketing Support Per Hour Bidder may wish to provide hourly cost for multiple designated resources

Product* Unit Price Install Fee

7 Day Programmable Thermostat Per Thermostat

Statewide procurement to be used

Wi-Fi Thermostat Per Thermostat

Statewide procurement to be used

Flip Aerator (2.2 gpm) Per Aerator

Statewide procurement to be used N/A

Standard Aerator (1.5 gpm) Per Aerator

Statewide procurement to be used N/A

Low Flow Showerhead (1.7 gpm) Per Showerhead

Statewide procurement to be used N/A

Multi-Family RTS Pricing Request

Service Unit Price Additional Details

Call Center Services (Scheduling included) Monthly Fixed monthly cost

Contractor Management Fee/ Competitive Bid Management

Per Unit

Bidder may wish to provide multiple Per Unit costs dependent on the number of units per project

Screening Assessment Per Assessment Fixed Assessment Cost

Diagnostic Assessment Per Unit Fixed Assessment Cost

Comprehensive Assessment (Single

Unit) Per Unit Fixed Assessment Cost

Comprehensive Assessment (< 20

Unit Facility) Per Unit Fixed Assessment Cost

Comprehensive Assessment (> 20

Unit Facility) Per Unit Fixed Assessment Cost

Special Site Visit Per Visit Fixed Visit Cost Quality Assurance/

Quality Control Visit Per Unit Visit Fixed Visit Cost

Combustion Safety Test Visit

Per Unit Visit Fixed Visit Cost

Marketing Support Per Hour Bidder may wish to provide hourly cost for multiple designated resources

Turnkey Project Management Fee Per turnkey heat pump project

Management fee for heat pump system installed activity managed by Lead Vendor including project scoping, customer journey management, contractor management, and Quality Control

Turnkey Project Management Fee Per turnkey barrier activity

Management fee for barrier mitigation work related to turnkey activity managed by LV including project scoping, customer journey management, contractor management, and Quality Control

Personnel Cost for Ad Hoc Support Unit Price Additional Details

Principal Per Hour Personnel Cost for Ad Hoc Support to be used for costs incurred as a result of requests relating to projects outside the

Lead Vendor Scope of Work. All Costs expected to be billed in this category will first require approval.

Consultant Per Hour Senior Professional Per Hour

Staff Professional Per Hour Professional Per Hour

Office Support Per Hour

Product Unit Price Install Fee Total Cost

Product Description

Lighting

LED Bulbs Per Bulb ---------------

Statewide bulb procurement to be used

Exterior Fixtures Thermostat 7 Day Programmable (Elec., oil, propane)

Per Thermostat

Wi‐Fi Enabled (Elec, Oil, Propane)

Per Thermostat

Domestic Hot Water ISM

Flip Aerator (2.2 gpm) Per Aerator

Statewide procurement to be used

Standard Aerator (1.7 gpm) Per Aerator

Statewide

Low Flow Showerhead (WaterSense Labelled)

Per Showerhead

Statewide

Pipe Wrap- ½”, ¾” Per 3’ section

Thermostatic Shut- Off Valve Per valve

Statewide

SECTION 8. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

A. Number of Copies and Format

The Proposal must be submitted as an electronic file in pdf format without the Pricing Proposal component.

The Pricing Proposal must be submitted as a separate electronic file in pdf or excel format and it must be clearly designated as the Pricing Proposal.

Proposals can be emailed to Margaret Song at msong@capelightcompact.org

B. Proposal Due Date and Labeling

The Proposal and the Pricing Proposal must be signed and emailed to the Compact within the time set forth in Section 2 of this RFP. Proposals and Pricing Proposals must be sent in separate documents and clearly marked:

Email Title: Residential Single Family and Multifamily Turnkey Services for Cape Light Compact, JPE for [Proposer’s name]

Delivered to: msong@capelightcompact.org

C. Modification or Withdrawal of Proposals

A Proposer may correct, modify or withdraw its original Proposal on or before the date and time set forth in Section 2. Corrections or modifications must be emailed and clearly marked to indicate the contents, with the name and address of Proposer. Any late correction or modification to the Proposal will not be accepted. Proposers who wish to withdraw a Proposal must make a request in writing.

D. Late Proposals

Any Proposal received after the due date and time stated in Section 2 of this RFP will be deemed non-responsive and will not be opened. Unopened Proposals will be returned to Proposers.

E. Offer to Provide Services

Proposer understands and agrees that its Proposal to the Compact to provide services will remain valid for 45 days past the submission deadline.

SECTION 9. SELECTION PROCESS

A. Minimum Comparative Evaluation Criteria

The final selection of the winning Proposer will be based on the following set of minimum evaluation criteria:

1. Satisfaction of all qualifications set forth in Sections 3 (General Qualifications) and 4 (Specific Qualifications).

2. Timely submission of the Proposal.

3. Inclusion of all required forms and documentation.

4. Compliance with the terms and conditions required in this RFP.

The Chief Procurement Officer will review all Proposals to ensure minimum requirements are met. Proposals that meet all of the minimum requirements set forth in this RFP will be further reviewed and evaluated according to the specific comparative evaluation criteria enumerated in this RFP.

Proposals which are incomplete, conditional or obscure, will be rejected. No award will be made to any Proposer who cannot satisfy to the Compact that it has sufficient ability and resources to enable it to meet the requirements of this RFP. The Compact’s decision or judgment on these matters shall be final, conclusive and binding.

B. Comparative Evaluation Criteria

In addition to the minimum threshold criteria, each Proposal will be further evaluated and rated solely on the basis of the comparative evaluation criteria using the following scale: Highly Advantageous, Advantageous, Not Advantageous and Unacceptable. The specific comparative evaluation criteria to be used in connection with this RFP is set forth in Attachment E.

C. Contract Award

The Chief Procurement Officer will make a preliminary determination of the most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive Proposer taking into consideration the Pricing Proposal and the evaluation criteria set forth above. The Chief Procurement Officer may negotiate all terms of the VSA not deemed mandatory or non-negotiable with such Proposer. If after negotiation with such Proposer the Chief Procurement Officer determines that it is in the best interest of the Compact, the Chief Procurement Officer may determine the proposal which is the next most advantageous proposal from a responsible and responsive Proposer taking into consideration the Pricing Proposal and the comparative evaluation criteria set forth in this RFP, and may negotiate all terms of the VSA with such Proposer. The Chief Procurement Officer will award the VSA to the Proposer who submitted the most advantageous proposal taking into consideration the Pricing Proposal, the comparative evaluation criteria set forth in this RFP, and the terms of the negotiated VSA. The Chief Procurement Officer shall award the VSA by written notice to the selected Proposer within the time for acceptance specified in this RFP. The parties may extend the time for acceptance by mutual agreement.

D. Minor Informalities

The Compact will waive minor informalities when awarding the VSA in accordance with M.G.L.

c. 30B, §2. The Compact may also allow a Proposer to correct minor informalities if doing so is in the Compact’s best interest and if the correction will not prejudice other Proposers.

SECTION 10. CONFIDENTIALITY/RETENTION OF RFP PROPOSALS

Each Proposal will be held confidential by the Compact until such time as the evaluation and selection process has been completed.

If any proprietary information is contained in the Proposal and Proposer wishes that the Compact treat such information as confidential, it should be clearly identified. The Compact will take commercially reasonable efforts to protect such information. Under Massachusetts law, the

Compact cannot assure the confidentiality of any material or information that may be submitted by a Proposer in response to this RFP.

Proposers who choose to submit confidential material or proprietary information do so at their own risk. The Compact is not liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken related to such proprietary information.

In general, Proposals are public documents available for inspection by interested parties after the completion of this procurement. Upon completion of the evaluation and the award of the VSA, all Proposals and information submitted in response to this RFP are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, §10 and M.G.L. c. 4, §7, cl. 26 and the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes will be disregarded.

Further, as the Compact is a public entity it may become necessary to provide Proposer or contract information to regulatory agencies for review. At Proposer’s specific request, and if commercially reasonable, the Compact will request that such information be treated confidentially by the regulatory agencies.

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

A. Proposal Costs

All costs involved in preparing the Proposal will be borne by Proposer. Proposer must be familiar with all state, local and other laws relating to the Services and must obtain all permits required and must pay all expenses for same.

B. Cancellation

The Compact may cancel this RFP, in whole or in part, or may reject all Proposals, or may procure only some goods and/or services outlined in this RFP whenever such action is determined to be fiscally advantageous to the Compact, or if it is otherwise in the best interest of the Compact.

C. Additional Information

The Compact may request that additional information be furnished to assure the Compact that a Proposer has the technical competence, and the business and financial resources adequate to successfully perform the requested services.

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT A Services ATTACHMENT B Vendor Services Agreement ATTACHMENT C Diversity Certification Information ATTACHMENT D Certificate of Non-Collusion ATTACHMENT E Comparative Evaluation Criteria ATTACHMENT F Proposal Checklist

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 1 Mass Save Energy Assessment Standards EXHIBIT 2 Mass Save Residential Turnkey Solutions Standards for Materials, Installation, Evaluation, and Conduct for Participating Contractors EXHIBIT 3 Cape Light Compact Marketing and Logo Use Guidelines EXHIBIT 4 Example Invoice Data Transfer Residential Turnkey Services (1-4 units) EXHIBIT 5 Example Invoice Data Transfer Residential Turnkey Services (5+ units) EXHIBIT 6 Example Invoice Data Transfer for C&I Multifamily EXHIBIT 7 Example Cape Light Compact Tier II Report

ATTACHMENT A

ENERGY RELATED SERVICES

1) Program Description: The Lead Vendor (LV) is to be engaged for the Cape Light Compact JPE (the Compact) in connection with its Residential Turnkey Services program (the “Program”). Under the Program, the Compact provides services to single family and multi-family homes. Multi-family homes are also referred to as attached low rise (“ALR”) or attached high rise (“AHR”) facilities. The Program and its goals are delivered in alignment with the Compact’s current Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan. For purposes of this Scope of Work, the terms “income-eligible” and “enhanced residential” refer to customers who meet the Compact’s Moderate Income eligibility criteria, currently defined as gross household income falling between 61-80% of the state or area median income (SMI/AMI), as verified through an established income qualification process approved by the Compact.

There are six components to the Program: (i) incentives; (ii) decarbonization home energy assessments; (iii) renter and landlord effort; (iv) enhanced residential offerings; (v) turnkey delivery of cold-climate air-source heat pumps and remediation of weatherization and electrification barriers for eligible customers (i.e. enhanced residential and or designated equity community offerings); and (vi) rebate verification screening for retail rebates that require pre-verification.

2) Objectives/Goals. The Compact’s objective is to engage a Lead Vendor to provide turnkey services for management, operation, supervision and expansion of the Programs. Lead Vendor understands that goals of the Programs are to:

a. Achieve a maximum level of cost-effective energy savings per dollar spent;

b. Provide cost and value-added services not provided in basic Program pricing;

c. Achieve persistence of energy savings through effective and appropriate choice of energy efficiency measures;

d. Deliver cost effective energy efficiency and electrification measure installations

e. Improve Program participants comfort, health and safety.

f. Implement intentional strategies to increase program participation among hard-to-reach populations in Compact territory such as moderate income, renter, and English-isolated households.

g. Identify weatherization and electrification barriers (e.g., knob-and-tube wiring, vermiculite, mold/moisture, electrical service capacity) and provide ad hoc guidance and/or turnkey services to eligible customers, so that implementation of weatherization and electrification measures can proceed as applicable.

h. Deliver an excellent, streamlined customer experience that minimizes the number of touchpoints required to move a customer from assessment to installation.

3) Services. The Services to be performed by Lead Vendor in connection with the Compact’s Programs consist of: (i) program management; (ii) implementing a merit based allocation of weatherization work orders; (iii) scheduling/follow-up/technical assistance services; (iv) facilitating decarbonization home energy assessments and decarbonization action report (see Exhibit1 Mass Save Energy Assessment Standards); (v) implementing efficiency and electrification measures; (vi) promoting, distributing and processing incentives ; (vii) quality assurance tasks; (viii) data transfer and reporting functions; (ix) marketing support with an emphasis on engaging hard-to-reach customers; (x) turnkey delivery of customer specific eligible program measures (xi) initial rebate verification screening at the decarbonization home energy assessment.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

The Lead Vendor (LV) is responsible for overall Program management. The LV’s Program management duties include:

Contractor Management

1. Managing multiple contractual relationships. The LV will enter into contracts with independent insulation contractors (“IICs”), home performance contractors (“HPCs”) and permitted subcontractors governing the terms and conditions of their Program participation. The LV will also be responsible for verifying proof of insurance from IICs, HPCs and permitted subcontractors prior to commencing any work under the Program.

2. Deliver ad hoc and/or continuous technical assistance to contractors that are part of the Programs (independent installation contractors who perform weatherization work (IICs), home performance contractors (HPCs), and LV’s permitted subcontractors.

3. Supervising and managing IICs, HPCs and permitted subcontractors ensuring that work is done in alignment with program standards (Exhibit 1: Mass Save Home Energy Assessment Standards; Exhibit 2: Residential Turnkey Services Standards for Material, Installation, Evaluation, and Conduct for Participating; and any successor or supplemental standards adopted by the Program). These standards may be updated and amended from time to time. Enforcing programs standards by conducting QA/QC field inspections of contractor work. Ensuring corrective action is taken when needed by program contractors.

4. Developing all forms and other printed materials necessary for successful and efficient implementation of the Program, including IIC, HPC, and customer participation agreements. All LV-developed forms must be submitted to the Compact for approval and finalized prior to Program implementation (Please See Exhibit 3:

Cape Light Compact Marketing and Logo Use Guidelines).

5. Maintaining a secure computerized database tracking system that meets all necessary regulatory and Program Administrator (PA) specific reporting requirements. The LV’s system, interface, or software will be capable of aggregating all required information provided by the IICs and HPCs, the LV’s permitted subcontractors, and the LV’s internal work crews for Program participant reports/invoices and reporting to Compact. The system shall also be capable of capturing decarbonization HEA data points and any other data points defined by the Compact and/or in alignment with other statewide Program Administrators that will allow for appropriate follow up with Program participants over the course of time (see Exhibit 1for data requirements for HEA; see Exhibit 4: Example Invoice Data Transfer Residential Turnkey Solutions (1-4 units); see Exhibit 5: Example Invoice Data Transfer Residential Turnkey Solutions (5+ units); see Exhibit 6: Example Invoice Data Transfer for C&I Multifamily).

6. Other than as expressly specified herein, internal personnel recruitment, management and training of its own staff, the IICs, HPCs, and permitted subcontractors.

General Program and Customer Participation Management

1. Developing and maintaining a list of ALR and AHR facilities located within the Compact’s service territory to track participation and identify future opportunities.

2. Implementing a systematic process for following-up with Program participants who do not act on recommendations for additional diagnostic services, weatherization measures or barrier mitigation, and/or electrification measures. This process will include reporting on the effectiveness of the marketing strategy on a bi-annual basis.

3. Procuring all equipment and materials necessary for Program implementation for internal responsibilities.

4. Providing storage for all Program materials as directed by the Compact for Program participant education and implementation.

5. Participant recruitment and intake, including supporting the Compact’s moderate-income intake and qualification processes.

6. Reasonably ensuring eligibility of participants (in case Program participants are assigned incorrectly).

7. Coordinating and identifying the resources available through the existing market infrastructure which includes private sector energy product and services vendors.

8. Collecting all data necessary for continuing Program management, monitoring, and evaluation needs.

9. Performing ongoing Program development and refinement, in conjunction with Compact and other PAs.

10. Coordinating all on-site crews performing work related to the Program.

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A MERIT BASED ALLOCATION OF

WEATHERIZATION WORK ORDERS

The LV will design, continuously evaluate, and implement a quality of work verification system to ensure weatherization work meets Program standards. The LV’s system will include the following categories (at minimum):

1. Safe work practices including compliance with all local, state and federal codes.

2. Technically sound installation practices conforming to the Building Performance Institute (BPI) approach.

3. Installation consistent with energy efficient upgrades offered at the time of the decarbonization home energy assessment.

4. Repair work resulting from failed QA/QC or other designation that requires a return visit.

5. Program participant satisfaction. The LV will monitor Program participant satisfaction via follow QA/QC visits, phone surveys, written surveys, etc. and will measure Program participant satisfaction with the following metrics at a minimum: (i) reliability (cancellations, adherence to scheduled appointments); (ii) employee and contractor professionalism; (iii) complaint resolution; (iv) prompt service; (v) cleanliness of the worksite; and (vi) overall Program participant satisfaction.

6. The LV will distribute weatherization installation work orders to qualified IICs using equitable and transparent merit-based methodologies.

7. The LV will require the following with respect to submittals from participating IICs relating to weatherization installation including: (i) timeliness; (ii) accuracy; and (iii) comprehensiveness of data.

8. The LV will take disciplinary action towards non-complying HPCs, IICs and permitted subcontractors, up to and including dismissal from the Program. The LV will inform and coordinate with the Compact before any recommendation of disciplinary action to be taken.

9. Weatherization work orders for all ALR or AHR facilities containing more than 20 dwelling units will be put out to bid. For 20 units and under, the LV will install all weatherization measures based on an approved pricing schedule either with internal crews or designated subcontractors. LV should solicit multiple bids for any ALR or AHR facilities qualified as moderate-income or receiving any enhanced incentive seeking electrification measures.

SCHEDULING/FOLLOW-UP/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

The LV’s scheduling, follow-up and technical assistance services will consist of the following:

1. Supporting the Compact’s Program participant intake process.

The Compact is responsible for Program participant intake pathways, such as an accessible online enrollment application for interest in a home energy assessment. All successful enrollment applications will be processed by the Compact and sent to the LV and/or appropriate HPC for scheduling appointments or assessments.

2. Staff and train Program participant Customer Service Representative (CSR) positions.

The Lead Vendor will staff CSR positions that will support the Compact’s Program participant intake process. The CSRs will use the information obtained during the Program participant intake to determine the most appropriate means of addressing the Program participant’s needs. The CSRs will also determine whether the Program participant can benefit from initiatives not related to energy efficiency, such as services offered through other Compact vendors, or programs. The LV will ensure that CSR training and qualifications include: (i) Program participant service and telephone experience; (ii) general knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable technology and demand response; (iii) knowledge of all residential energy efficiency, demand-side management and program offerings; and (iv) knowledge of information resources available to Program participants during initial intake; (v) knowledge of the Compact’s moderate-oncome program eligibility processes; and (vi) familiarity with turnkey heat pump and barrier mitigation incentives and processes; (vii) how to enrollment Program participants in the Compact’s online enrollment application for a home energy assessment or any other method developed by the Compact

3. Schedule Energy Assessments

The LV will schedule eligible Program participants for the appropriate energy assessment. For those Program participants that have completed an assessment within the last 24 months or otherwise stated by the Compact, appropriate follow-up action must be determined by the LV. The LV will be responsible for scheduling the assessment with the Program participant.

4. Providing a single point of contact for internal crews, IICs, HPCs and permitted subcontractors performing Program related work.

5. Providing and/or directing Program participants with Program and educational materials regarding energy use and efficiency and electrification opportunities.

6. Staffing and training technical assistance representatives who will perform some aspects of the energy assessments. The LV will ensure that its technical assistance representatives possess: (i) extensive knowledge of energy efficiency and applicable renewable technology including but not limited to an energy services auditing background, house as a system training, and diagnostic experience (e.g. blower door, infrared technology); (ii) additional training in the area of heating system fundamentals for a wide array of systems including high efficiency residential equipment and cold-climate air-source heat pumps (e.g., Mass SAVE Qualified Product List (QPL) cold-climate heat pump list familiarity, manufacturer training, manual J load calculations); (iii) knowledge of all residential energy efficiency, demand- side management, renewable energy and demand response program offerings; (v) in-field audit experience and (vi). knowledge of all ALR / AHR energy efficiency and demand-side management program offerings; and (vii) ability to identify and document common weatherization and electrification barriers, including knob-and-tube wiring, vermiculite, mold/moisture, asbestos, and electrical panel/service capacity limitations.

ENERGY ASSESSMENTS

The LV understands that the objective of the energy assessments is to provide Program participants with the opportunity to understand the impact of all major energy efficiency and decarbonization measure improvements that can be implemented in their homes.

The LV represents that it has the diagnostic tools, as well as the technical capability necessary to comprehensively assess and address all efficiency opportunities from a whole-house perspective.

The LV shall similarly maintain the technical capability to assess electrification readiness for qualified program participants looking to pursue heat pumps through the turnkey pathway.

The LV will complete energy assessments either in person or virtual within reasonable time from date of original Program participant request (subject to Program participant availability) unless special circumstances arise. If the LV is unable to meet this request with internal staff, the use of additional HPCs or permitted subcontractors will be implemented, where applicable. If the use of additional subcontractors is required, the energy assessments should be distributed using the merit-based allocation system.

The LV is responsible for facilitating, scheduling, and coordinating energy assessments, coordinating work schedules for installation of measures implemented by the IICs, and the energy assessment activities of the Program participant for the HPCs, for both assessments and installation by the HPCs.

The LV will perform an assessment of all applicable energy efficiency and decarbonization opportunities including thermal measures, HVAC system efficiency, combustion safety, cost-effectiveness of major measures, as well as any pre-weatherization or pre-electrification barriers, address all health, safety and indoor air quality issues and any other data points as defined by the collective PAs or specified by the Compact (see section 2.10 of Exhibit 1 for more details). LV should have capability to complete a heat pump feasibility review (including photo and measurement documentation, cost estimation, potential siting of equipment, heat pump system design, and an assessment of the electrical service panel) in combination with LV’s turnkey subcontractors for qualified turnkey customers. The LV will use a blower door as necessary, infrared thermography as well as installation of instant savings measures (e.g. faucet aerators) during appropriate energy assessments.