CPRG Accelerator Research and Best Practices

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) are requesting proposals for research and best practices analysis supporting the Local IMPACT Accelerator program, with proposals due August 27, 2026 (note: written inquiries were due July 17, 2026, and that deadline has passed). The State intends to award a single offeror to perform the entire scope of work independently. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) offerors must submit U.S. Small Business Administration certification documentation and must be incorporated or organized in Colorado or maintain a Colorado office.

The contractor will review the existing Accelerator program, examine Colorado's landscape of state agency climate programs, identify barriers to local government participation, conduct multi-stakeholder engagement across the state, and develop actionable strategies and recommendations. Deliverables include four sector-specific best practices briefs (approximately 4 pages each covering buildings, land use, transportation, and waste sectors) and a comprehensive final gap analysis with an Accelerator 2.0 program framework. All digital deliverables must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Colorado accessibility standards. The contractor must disclose in writing any use of AI tools in creating deliverables, with all work subject to review and verification by qualified personnel prior to submission. If AI tools are employed, data cannot be input into public or consumer-grade systems, and state data cannot be used to train or improve any AI model without prior written approval.

Minimum qualifications require two years of demonstrated experience conducting policy or program research and program design for state or local government clients, particularly in climate, energy, or environmental programs. The maximum contract budget is $338,000 on a firm-fixed-price basis with fully burdened hourly rates remaining constant throughout the contract period. All engagement-related costs, including venue rental, travel, and event logistics, must be accommodated within this budget. The contract is anticipated to run from November 9, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with possible annual renewal options for up to two additional years, not to exceed five years total. Final deliverables are due May 1, 2029. The Notice of Intent to Award is anticipated for October 9, 2026. Funding is from the Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG), requiring compliance with 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 1500, 40 CFR 33, and Clean Air Act Section 137.