26-10 Preformance Based Energy Services

The Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, in partnership with Ridgefield Public Schools, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a performance-based energy services contract (Solicitation Number 36251, designated 26-10) to evaluate, design, implement, and guarantee energy efficiency improvements across three primary facilities: Town Hall Annex (66 Prospect Street), Barlow Mountain Elementary School (115 Barlow Mountain Road, which includes a 138,000-gallon swimming pool), and Ridgefield High School (700 North Salem Road). The scope encompasses comprehensive audits and improvements to mechanical systems, HVAC infrastructure, lighting systems, and pool systems, with potential expansion to additional municipal buildings at the Town's discretion. Key project objectives include reducing energy and operational costs, modernizing aging systems, replacing electric resistive heating with air-source and/or ground-source heat pumps, improving pool system efficiency, and maximizing available utility rebates and incentives. The contractor must assume full responsibility for delivering Energy Conservation Measures that generate sufficient verified savings to pay for all project costs and guarantee those savings through a Measurement & Verification Plan consistent with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), with annual M&V reports documenting verified savings. Required qualifications include firm credentials, project team certifications, technical methodology documentation, bundling strategy, financial models, completed Guaranteed Savings Formula Tables, references from at least three similar projects, and insurance certificates (minimum $1,000,000 general liability and auto liability coverage with the Town named as additional insured). The mandatory site visit is scheduled for April 30, 2026, at 9:30 AM at Town Hall Annex, requests for information must be submitted by May 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM, and sealed proposals are due May 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM EDT, to be submitted either via sealed envelope or email to purchasing@ridgefieldct.gov.

This solicitation is open to all qualified vendors without noted set-asides, incumbent preferences, or restrictions based on disadvantaged enterprise designations. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are specified in the solicitation documents. The project will be funded entirely through verified energy cost savings generated by the contractor's work, meaning the Town will not utilize upfront capital appropriations; the contractor assumes all financial risk associated with the availability, eligibility, approval, and receipt of rebates, incentives, and tax credits, with failure to secure these incentives not reducing the guaranteed savings obligation and any savings shortfall requiring reimbursement to the Town. No specific estimated total contract value or budget range was disclosed in the solicitation header, as compensation is contingent upon the energy savings achieved and verified through the M&V process. David McFate, Purchasing Director at the Town of Ridgefield (400 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877; 203-431-2720; purchasing@ridgefieldct.gov), serves as the primary contact for inquiries. Upon award, Jake Muller, Director of Public Works, will serve as the project manager, and work completion timelines will be negotiated between the awarded contractor and the Town with no extensions granted without written approval for documented unforeseen conditions.