ESPC Energy Savings Capital Improvement Performance Contract

St. Johns Public Schools in Clinton County, Michigan is soliciting proposals for an Energy Savings Capital Improvement Performance Contract (ESPC) on a design-build basis. The procurement encompasses comprehensive energy conservation measures across seven school buildings and associated facilities totaling approximately 673,096 square feet, including St. Johns High School, Middle School, four elementary schools (Oakview, Gateway, Eureka, and Riley), and transportation and maintenance buildings. Required deliverables include district-wide energy management systems, LED lighting upgrades for both interior and exterior applications, and a facility needs assessment plan, while optional enhancements include roof replacements, HVAC improvements, pool boiler upgrades, backup generator installation, and ventilation system upgrades. The selected contractor must guarantee energy savings according to International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) or Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) guidelines, with a minimum written guarantee of measured savings for five years and an option for the entire 15-year contract term. Key evaluation criteria require demonstration that the project will provide net benefits to the school district over the 15-year performance period, with energy conservation and operational savings primarily offsetting project costs. Critical deadlines include a mandatory pre-proposal conference on November 14, 2019, at 10:00 AM at the Wilson Center in St. Johns, Michigan, with proposal submissions due December 5, 2019, at 2:00 PM, public bid opening immediately following, and anticipated board authorization by January 27, 2020, with construction commencing May 1, 2020. Successful bidders must submit a bid bond equal to 5% of the proposal amount, performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract price, and must provide detailed cost and savings summaries by ECM and building, comprehensive measurement and verification plans, commissioning requirements, training programs, and warranties of at least 24 months on all equipment, materials, design, and workmanship.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or socioeconomic classifications. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The school district intends to finance the project through a non-voted energy bond and will contribute up to $450,000 as a one-time payment toward roof replacement costs, with potential additional annual contributions of $30,000, $50,000, or $70,000 depending on the viability of a concurrent solar Power Purchase Agreement being bid separately. Selected contractors must obtain all necessary permits, ensure code compliance, provide daily on-site supervision, and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including $2,000,000 in comprehensive general liability and professional liability insurance plus a $5,000,000 umbrella policy. While the RFP does not explicitly state an overall project budget range, the district's identified financial commitments and the performance contracting structure indicate that energy savings will be the primary mechanism for offsetting project costs over the 15-year guaranteed savings term.