Request for Qualifications RFQ #50929 RFQ for HVAC Market and Technical Expertise

Transcription

1 Request for Qualifications RFQ #50929 RFQ for HVAC Market and Technical Expertise 1 Introduction The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to effect market transformation through the acceleration and adoption of energyefficient products, services and practices. NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 13 million energy consumers. For more information, visit neea.org. 2 Background The NEEA Market Strategy and Execution Team develops and implements numerous market transformation programs within the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) product category. These programs cover both gas and electric technologies in residential and commercial markets. 3 Objectives This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to identify qualified vendors including individuals, firms, or teams of individuals / firms who, if selected, will comprise a vendor short-list for upcoming market-focused HVAC program work to further NEEA s overall market transformation goals for the period beginning in Q through the end of Q Qualified vendors will demonstrate experience in one or both of the desired Competency Areas described in Section 4, which include both HVAC market and technical expertise. 4 Desired Competency Areas NEEA is seeking qualified vendors who have tenured expertise in at least one of the following Competency Areas. Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 421 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 600, Portland, OR Fax neea.org info@neea.org

2 4.1 COMPETENCY AREA 1. HVAC MARKET EXPERTISE General Qualifications NEEA is seeking vendors with robust experience, proficiency and relationships in the HVAC market, which may include but is not limited to: a. Experience in commercial and/or residential HVAC markets b. Overarching HVAC industry knowledge and expertise c. Awareness of opportunities, interdependencies and challenges related to dual-fuel products and programs d. Demonstrated experience with strategic intelligence especially in areas of: Foresight ability to anticipate currents of change that can be leveraged to advance a new technology Visioning ability to document an arrangement of market actors into a system that supports lasting market change in support of an efficient technology Partnering and Engaging ability to develop productive relationships that, over time, supports the vision of a transformed market e. Demonstrated experience in developing a market for new and / or energy efficient products f. Ability to clearly articulate the business case for efficient products g. Current contacts, relationships and insights related to HVAC manufacturers, manufacturers representatives, key account managers, distributors, specifiers, retailers and / or installation contractors (and demonstrated ability to maintain those relationships over time) h. Experience in soliciting and digesting information from market partners to draw conclusions and recommendations for market transformation i. Understanding of the role of codes and standards within manufacturer product roadmaps and investment scenarios 4.2 COMPETENCY AREA 2. HVAC TECHNICAL EXPERTISE General Qualifications NEEA is seeking vendors with general technical experience and understanding of HVAC products, for both residential and commercial sectors. This experience may include but is not limited to: a. Experience performing, analyzing and/or communicating lab or field test results b. Experience with commercial and/or residential HVAC products c. Awareness of opportunities, interdependencies and challenges related to dual-fuel products and programs d. Understanding of the role of codes and standards in product installation Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - 2 -

3 4.2.2 Specialized Qualifications and Qualification Subcategories In addition to general technical experience, NEEA is seeking vendors with more specialized technical experience and understanding of the application of HVAC products and services. The following subcategories list desired areas of expertise, including additional context / guidance below each Subcatgory. Subcategory 1. Design a. Experience with commercial HVAC equipment selection and associated system design b. HVAC project specification experience c. Application of energy, mechanical and / or electrical code in design d. HVAC cost estimation of projects Responses should provide experience, approach and method of estimation (e.g. RS Means, proprietary database) in this area Subcategory 2. Code development a. Code development experience related to energy, mechanical and / or electrical codes Subcategory 3. Product specification development Subcategory 4. Energy modeling b. Energy modeling experience of individual HVAC projects Responses should indicate any experience with modeling software (e.g. EnergyPlus (include versions) and graphical user interfaces (GUIs), EQuest, etc.) c. Energy modeling of multiple projects (parametric analysis) Responses should specify any software and approaches used in this area d. Simplified energy savings calculations and methodologies (e.g. cost/benefit analysis, ROI, TRC, etc.) Responses should indicate any experience with the software and approaches in this area Responses should specify any software and approaches used in this area Subcategory 5. Construction management a. HVAC project management and coordination, including design oversight, field inspections and/or construction management Subcategory 6. Energy audit experience a. Commercial building energy audit experience (e.g. ASHRAE levels 1, 2, 3) b. HVAC data monitoring, analysis and reporting Subcategory 7. Training experience a. For example, within the areas of: energy codes, mechanical codes, systems, design, etc. Subcategory 8. Existing building experience a. Responses should indicate building and system types Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - 3 -

4 Subcategory 9. Dual-fuel products and programs experience a. Awareness and/or vision of opportunities, interdependencies and challenges related to dual-fuel products and programs If no past experience, responses should provide potential approaches to dual-fuel products and/or programs for evaluation 5 Additional Qualifications Responses should also integrate any additional qualifications in the areas below: a. Market transformation experience and expertise b. Sales/negotiation, business development, strategic relationship management, competitive landscaping c. Program/project management skills, including work plan development, implementation and progress tracking 6 Response Submission Submissions shall follow the instructions below. One (1) electronic copy of the qualifications must be received by the end of business day listed in Section 6.1. You may submit an optional hard copy of your proposal by the same due date, but this is not required. 6.1 RFQ Schedule October 24, 2018 RFQ Issued October 30, 2018 Intent to Submit Qualifications ed by 5pm PDT October 30, 2018 RFQ Questions submitted by 5pm PDT November 2, 2018 Answers ed to respondents by 5pm PDT November 9, 2018 Qualification Submissions ed by 5pm PDT November 16, 2018 Selected short-list vendors notified 6.2 RFQ Point of Contact All correspondence including questions and submissions shall be directed to the following RFQ Point of Contact: Christine Riegler, Program Manager criegler@neea.org Phone: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 421 SW 6 th Avenue, Suite 600 Portland, OR Intent to Submit Qualifications Your Intent to Submit Qualifications should take the form of a simple delivered to the RFQ Point of Contact, by the date outlined in Section 6.1. The should indicate the Competency Area(s) and, if applicable, the Specialized Qualification Subcategory(ies) for which you intend to submit qualifications. Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - 4 -

5 6.4 Submission Format Submissions should follow the outline structure below. 1. COVER LETTER (1 page maximum) a) Include an overview of your organization, the competency(ies) to which your are responding, and rationale as to why you feel your organization is a good fit. 2. QUALIFICATIONS a) General Qualifications (2 pages maximum per Competency Area) Note: Vendors may submit General Qualifications for one or both Competency Areas. i. Qualifications. Describe your qualifications within the Competency Area. ii. Work Examples. Include at least two (2) but no more than three (3) work examples relevant to the Competency Area description. When applicable, work examples should include summary of work completed and/or results/outcomes. Work examples may also be submitted as appendices or hyperlinks. iii. Other Relevant Information. Include any other relevant information. b) Specialized Qualifications (1 page maximum per Subcategory) Note: In addition to the General Qualifications above, firms may choose to submit qualifications for one or more of the Specialized Qualification Subcategories listed under Section a) Qualifications. Describe your qualifications in up to one (1) page for each Subcategory to which you wish to present qualifications. b) Work Examples. Include at least two (2) but no more than three (3) work examples for each Subcategory to which you wish to present qualifications. Work examples should include summary of the work completed and/or results/outcomes. Work examples may also be submitted as appendices or hyperlinks. 3. APPENDICES a) Hourly rates by title b) Brief bios of likely staff c) References (provide two to three) d) Work examples, if applicable e) List of relevant clients and/or HVAC market relationships (current and/or past; please note which), if applicable Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - 5 -

6 7 Selection 7.1 Scoring Submissions will be rated among others in terms of: 1. Responsiveness to the RFQ requirements 2. The experience of the firm(s) making the proposal 3. Proven capability to execute similar work NEEA is under no obligation to provide work to any agencies responding to this solicitation, nor is there any obligation or intent implied to reimburse any party for the cost of preparing a proposal in response to this RFQ. Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - 6 -