DOER RFQ-ENE-2027-011 Municipal Decarbonization Planning Services Request for Quotes - PRF74

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) develops and implements policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply to create a clean, affordable, equitable, and resilient energy future for all residents, businesses, communities, and institutions.

DOER is seeking one or more Contractors to assist municipalities with developing Municipal Decarbonization Roadmaps consistent with the Climate Leaders Municipal Decarbonization Commitment and Roadmap Guidance (CLC Roadmap Guidance). The roadmaps will establish a municipal greenhouse gas emissions baseline and develop a pathway to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use by 2050, using a "Zero Over Time" approach that considers trigger events such as equipment replacement, roof replacement, change of use, and substantial renovation, together with opportunities for electrification, energy efficiency, solar, and energy storage.

Multiple Contractors may be chosen pursuant to this RFQ and will contract with DOER to provide technical assistance services to municipalities as selected and authorized by DOER. Contracts will be in the form of hourly rates for required functions. DOER will assign municipalities to individual Contractors on an "as needed" basis. DOER does not guarantee a volume of service to any Contractors. [...]

DOER is seeking Contractors to provide two different levels of technical assistance to municipalities:

• Task 1: A desktop analysis and roadmap development for municipalities that have full building inventories in MassEnergyInsight and can supply information on the condition of roof, windows, and other building envelope characteristics, as well as age and condition of HVAC components. In these cases, Contractors are not expected to perform on-site facility assessments and will have most of the building level information needed to create a decarbonization roadmap with the municipality.
• Task 2: Facility condition assessment plus roadmap development for municipalities that need assistance with cataloging existing equipment, assessing condition of roofs, windows, and other building envelope components. As necessary, Contractors will conduct walk-throughs with municipal representatives of buildings that account for at least eighty (80) percent of the community's total building emissions.

For both Task 1 and Task 2, Contractors shall also address municipal and applicable school vehicle fleets. Roadmaps must include plans for replacing gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with zero-emission vehicles upon retirement. [...]

The roadmap shall establish interim targets for calendar years 2027, 2030, 2040, and 2050 and shall estimate emissions reductions associated with the proposed building, fleet, energy efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and energy storage measures. [...]

Deliverables

Deliverables shall be completed by selected Contractors as specified in each municipal assignment and as directed by DOER. Deliverables may include, but are not limited to:

• Initial meeting summary, work plan, and project schedule.
• Municipal greenhouse gas emissions baseline, including methodology and assumptions in accordance with the CLC Guidance.
• Facility- and fuel-level emissions tables in the format specified by DOER.
• Draft Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap.
• Final Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap incorporating municipal and DOER comments.
• Implementation, monitoring, and oversight plan.

Respondents to RFQ-ENE-2027-011 must respond via COMMBUYS on December 3, 2026, by 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Late responses will not be accepted. [...]

Respondents must provide the following sections in their proposal. All responses must include a Transmittal Letter, Executive Summary, and Narrative Section as defined below:

• Transmittal Letter (1-page limit)
• Executive Summary (1-page limit)
• Narrative Section (15-page limit)
• Cost Proposal: Respondents shall provide hourly billing rates for each personnel classification proposed for use under the contract.

The evaluation will include, but will not be limited to, the following criteria:

• Effectiveness of the proposed approach
• Likelihood of proposal to achieve outcomes
• Respondent's experience with similar projects and relevant subject matter
• Extent to which the proposed budget demonstrates the best value to the Commonwealth, including consideration of total cost and hourly rates for team members.

The Contracts awarded pursuant to this RFQ-ENE-2027-011 will be awarded as a rate based three-year contract with a maximum dollar amount not to exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000). [...] The contract shall include two (2) one (1) year optional renewal periods at DOER's sole discretion.