Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2. 0 Program Design Study

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) is issuing a Request for Proposals to procure technical consulting services for the Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 Program Design Study, a study mandated by the Utility RELIEF Act passed during the 2026 Maryland legislative session. The primary objective is to design a successor net energy metering program (NEM 2.0) to replace the existing NEM 1.0 program under Public Utilities Article 7-306 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, with the study intended to inform future NEM 2.0 tariff designs. Key deliverables include development of a comprehensive NEM 2.0 tariff framework design that balances fair compensation for grid services with ratepayer costs and benefits, creation of a Value Stack Calculator Excel-based tool for utility tariff development, a NEM 2.0 Tariff Framework Report with presentations to the Commission and Maryland General Assembly, and implementation support through emergency regulations and tariff filing evaluation. The contractor must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience conducting studies and analyses working with PJM Interconnection tariffs and operations, possess knowledge of Maryland State statutes and COMAR regulations related to net energy metering, have experience presenting before regulatory bodies, and possess experience with distributed energy storage value stack tariff frameworks. Critical deadlines include a pre-proposal conference on May 15, 2026, questions due by May 19, 2026, proposals due by June 3, 2026, first draft framework delivery by September 4, 2026, final draft framework by October 6, 2026, framework report filing by October 27, 2026, final legislative report by December 15, 2026, NEM 2.0 emergency regulations adoption by May 1, 2027, and tariff implementation on July 1, 2027. The contract term is two years with a primary place of performance at the PSC's Baltimore office, structured as a single award, fixed-unit-price indefinite quantity contract with no federal funding.

No Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) subcontracting goals apply to this solicitation, and there are no minimum qualifications for offerors beyond the experience requirements outlined in the evaluation criteria. The State does not provide normal office working facilities or equipment, and the contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence and $3,000,000 annual aggregate, Errors and Omissions/Professional Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 annual aggregate, Crime Insurance of $1,000,000 per loss, Cyber Security/Data Breach Insurance of $5,000,000 per occurrence, Worker's Compensation of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Automobile Insurance meeting Maryland minimum requirements. A Living Wage requirement applies as a Tier 1 Contract, with the contractor responsible for wage increases during the contract term. Payment shall be made via electronic funds transfer within 30 days of invoice receipt, and contractors are subject to a one percent (1%) electronic transaction fee on all invoiced amounts, payable within forty-five calendar days after each reporting period to the Maryland Comptroller's office. No specific budget range or award value is stated in the RFP; pricing is to be submitted by offerors on the provided bid form organized by labor category, hourly rates, and estimated hours across multiple tasks, with the State having no obligation to guarantee minimum volumes under this indefinite quantity contract.