DOER RFQ-ENE-2026-018 Economic Benefits of Solar Study Request for Quotes (PRF74)

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is seeking a contractor to conduct a comprehensive economic benefits analysis of solar deployment in the state. The primary objective is to calculate the statewide historic economic benefits of solar to date and qualitatively estimate potential future benefits through 2035 and 2050. The selected contractor will be required to quantify costs, including net metering, energy compensation, ratepayer-funded incentive programs, and state tax incentives, while simultaneously identifying benefits such as peak demand reduction, wholesale energy price suppression, and avoided transmission and distribution costs. Contractors must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts solar landscape, utility rate structures, net metering policy, economic modeling, and solar incentive program evaluation. The procurement is structured as a Request for Quote (RFQ) under Statewide Contract PRF74 for Energy Climate Action and Facility Advisory Services. Key deadlines include a question submission deadline of November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM, with answers due November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM. The final proposal response is due December 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM, with vendor selection anticipated by December 12, 2025.

The procurement prioritizes the Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), with SBPP-registered participants receiving preference over non-SBPP bidders when meeting best value criteria. Respondents must submit proposals via COMMBUYS and email, including a specific document structure: a one-page transmittal letter, two-page executive summary, a 12-page maximum narrative section, and a two-page cost proposal. The contract has a maximum value of $150,000, to be awarded on a rate-based, fixed project-price basis, with contractors required to provide detailed pricing broken down by task, staff person, and hourly rate. The contract term is set from January 5, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Proposers must use publicly available datasets, including incentive program data from DOER and information filed with the Department of Public Utilities, to complete the comprehensive solar economic benefits analysis. The procurement emphasizes a project-based approach with all ancillary services to be included in the total project price.