Request for Proposals for a Qualified Energy Service Provider (QESP)

The Town of West Hartford is soliciting proposals for a Qualified Energy Service Provider to implement town-wide energy savings measures across municipal and school district facilities on an Energy-Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) basis, with proposals due August 27, 2026, and a mandatory pre-proposal meeting scheduled for July 9, 2026.

The scope encompasses twelve facilities totaling approximately 1.2 million square feet: six schools (Bugbee, Conard High, King Philip Middle, Norfeldt, Sedgwick Middle, and Whiting Lane Elementary); two libraries (Bishops Corner and Noah Webster); Cornerstone Aquatics Center; and three municipal buildings (Police Station, Department of Public Works, and Town Hall). The QESP must deliver comprehensive investment-grade energy audits, design and install energy efficiency measures, commission equipment, provide staff training, arrange financing, and furnish measurement and verification services. Measures must address heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, water systems, building envelope improvements, renewable energy installations (solar photovoltaic and battery storage), and building control system upgrades.

Minimum qualifications require net assets exceeding $2 million, ten years of business history with demonstrated performance contracting experience, a branch office within one hundred miles, and a history of providing at least five prior energy savings guarantees. The QESP must assume all hazardous materials remediation costs and provide first-party performance guarantees. Insurance requirements include $1 million general liability, $5 million umbrella coverage, $2 million professional liability, and $2 million pollution liability, with the Town named as additional insured. A performance bond of $2 million or 125 percent of proposed contract value, whichever is higher, is required from an A.M. Best-rated surety.

The energy-savings performance contract shall not exceed twenty years and must guarantee that project costs are fully recovered from measured energy savings, with all annual revenues exceeding annual costs and positive cash flow maintained throughout. All proposals must include two options: one based entirely on self-funding and another accounting for Town capital contributions from the Capital Improvement Plan. Financial assumptions include a 4.25 percent interest and discount rate, level or declining annual payments, two percent annual energy cost escalation, and three years of measurement and verification costs. Rebates and utility incentives must be identified separately and subtracted from project costs. Questions are due August 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Facility walk-throughs are required and must be coordinated with Town officials. Award is anticipated in October 2026, with work commencing upon approval of plans and permits.