RFP-26-801 Fossil l Gas Related Technical Assistance

The California Energy Commission is requesting proposals for qualified technical consultants to provide fossil gas-related technical assistance on an as-needed, time-and-materials basis, with proposals due September 26, 2026 and a pre-bid conference on September 4, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time via Zoom. Mandatory Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation of at least 3 percent of contract value is required; small business and non-small business preferences and Target Area Contract Preference Act consideration also apply.

Work encompasses scenario modeling for clean fuels (renewable natural gas and hydrogen), fossil gas pipeline decommissioning analysis, gas supply and demand forecasting, gas rate modeling, gas revenue requirement modeling, hydraulic modeling, and related technical services. The Natural Gas Unit will scope and price individual work authorizations collaboratively with the selected consultant. Bidders must submit three client references for the prime contractor and three for each subcontractor.

Total available funding is up to $600,000, with $300,000 immediately available for fiscal year 2026-2027 and $300,000 contingent upon approval of the CEC's 2027-2028 budget. The contract term runs through September 30, 2029, with contract start anticipated December 30, 2026. This is an hourly rate plus cost reimbursement contract with no profit permitted for grant recipients; subcontractors under contract agreements may claim up to 10 percent profit on allowable expenses minus further subcontracted amounts.

The procurement uses a two-stage evaluation process: administrative screening followed by technical and cost evaluation, with proposals requiring a minimum score of 70 percent to advance. All corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships conducting intrastate business in California must be registered in good standing with the California Secretary of State prior to project approval. Written questions are due September 4, 2026. The Notice of Proposed Award is anticipated October 23, 2026, with a Commission Business Meeting scheduled for December 16, 2026.

Eligible bidders include public and private entities; universities and U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories may utilize pre-negotiated terms. Mandatory certifications include Contractor Status Form, Darfur Contracting Act, Iran Contracting Act (applies because funding exceeds $1 million), DVBE declarations, and California Civil Rights Laws certification.