Small & Medium Bldg. Energy Efficiency & Decarb Initiative

The Colorado Energy Office is requesting proposals for a contractor to pilot and evaluate technical assistance offerings for small and medium commercial building owners under RFP EFAA 27-17, with proposals due September 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time and public opening on September 3, 2026. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses incorporated in Colorado or maintaining a Colorado place of business are eligible for the State's 3% contract award goal.

The scope targets commercial buildings between 10,000 and 50,000 square feet, serving approximately 20–30 participants across Colorado with priority given to non-investor-owned utility markets with limited access to building energy efficiency programs. The contractor must conduct stakeholder outreach, develop application and grading criteria for participant selection, provide technical assistance for energy efficiency and decarbonization projects, evaluate program effectiveness, and create scalable resources for replication. The contractor must demonstrate a minimum of five years of direct experience providing or coordinating technical assistance to commercial building owners, five years of experience with energy efficiency and electrification retrofit projects, and outreach and marketing experience related to decarbonization. Key personnel must hold demonstrable certifications and experience in architecture, mechanical or electrical engineering, MEP installation, and commercial construction, with demonstrated experience securing financing through programs such as C-PACE and CCEF.

The maximum budget is $350,000 on a firm-fixed-rate basis, with costs reimbursed according to satisfactory progress and fair, reasonable, and allocable expenses. The contract runs from October 15, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with potential for extension at the State's discretion. The contractor must comply with Colorado's WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards and the State's artificial intelligence governance policies, including mandatory disclosure of AI tool use in deliverables and compliance with data protection protocols prohibiting confidential state data input to public or consumer-grade AI systems. Written inquiries are due August 10, 2026. An Intent to Award is estimated for September 17, 2026. Proposals are limited to ten pages excluding cover sheets, resumes, cost sheets, and attachments, with pricing remaining firm throughout the contract term.