Request for Proposal BGE Small Business. Energy Solutions Program. - Responses to Questions from the Bidders. October 12, 2018

Transcription

1 Request for Proposal BGE Small Business Energy Solutions Program - s to s from the Bidders October 12, 2018

2 BGE Small Business Energy Solutions Program - s to s from the Bidders Do you have to be a small business enterprise to submit a bid for this project? No, that is not required. Our question is aimed at determining the labor pricing/rates for the energy measures. We are not able to determine whether we should show our intentions to submit the bid (due this Friday) without the pricing. Can anyone assist with how to post this question to the portal? ICF is not requesting pricing for this RFP as we have established pricing from the current contractors which BGE has signed off on. This pricing will be shared with the awarded contractor(s) from this RFP. What ICF is looking for from this RFP is an additional and capable contractor(s) who can display their skills to service this customer base. Material selections, potential lift costs and go to market strategies have dependencies on pricing. With the pricing already established but not shared it introduces a level of uncertainty and variability to key components of the RFP and ultimately the success of the contractor partner and the program overall. Can pricing or further insights on pricing be shared to inform strategy development? ICF feels the existing pricing and ability to charge the customer for non-program related costs can cover your concerns. For example, lift costs are shared at up to 70%. If additional work such as bringing wiring up to code, that cost can be passed onto the customer at 100% their cost. What are the net terms on the payments from BGE to the contractor for the up to 70% incentive portion? ICF will be paying the contractor and this is typically in 6-8 weeks.

3 What are the terms and timing of payment from BGE for the portion selected to go to on bill financing? ICF will be paying the contractor and this is typically in 6-8 weeks. Will the targeted list of customers provided exclude customers who have already participated in the program or will that filtering be done in the field by the contractor? You will be supplied a list of all eligible customers and will not exclude previous customers. If a transition occurs from an existing provider to a new provider, will provided but not accepted proposals as of 1/1/2019 be provided to the awarded contractor? In the past it has not been as the exiting contractor has some time to submit their remaining work. Can BGE provide clarity on the changes from 2018 to 2019 regarding issuing semiexclusive and defined territories? The program is considering allowing past exclusively assigned areas open to two or more providers versus one only. Does BGE maintain the same qualifications as PEPCO for their Small Business Program specifically regarding the Energy-Check Up requirement? No.

4 Are conversion metrics adjusted for atypical projects which may produce procedural delays (i.e. including quotation and installation for non-lighting components, project financing, etc.)? No, as these are not relative to this program. Is project financing required to be handled in-house with The Contractor or can we utilize third-party financing i.e. Noesis.? The program does offer an advance which is on bill payment deferral for 12 months, if the customer qualifies. Will BGE provide feedback on successes/failures, lessons learned and set-backs to all RFP responders for the first year of the program 2018? To the RFP responders, no. However if you are selected ICF and the other contractors speaking about these ongoing topics both monthly and quarterly as a team. Can the cloud-based software mentioned in the RFP be made available for sandbox demonstration? Yes, it will be demonstrated at the bidder s conference. Only an award contractor will them have access to the software as there will be no sandbox access. Will ICF provide in-person or online training on use of the software? We will do in person training and online as well. An office visit to the contractor can be made available as needed.

5 Will this presentation be available? Yes, to the intent to bid list only. Will ICF help us with marketing? Yes, and we will work with you on ideas you may have. How is the demand determined without a copy of the bill? BGE has a set rate schedule where they are pre-listed. What is the maximum payment term for the on bill? It s always 12 month with a minimum of $1,000 customer cost. How long has Advance been available? It s been offered since August What is the percentage of customers who take the Advance? We are seeing about 40% of the customers enroll. Is every small business eligible? Yes, if they have a rate schedule of G or GS.

6 What if they had an audit in a recent timeframe? Is the customer still eligible? There is no timeframe set that the customer cannot be re-audited. Is ICF able to provide the customer usage? ICF has a tool called Sightline Analysis which supplies usage and past participation. BGE. Does the list have customer contact information? Yes, it has the customer of record or the person getting the bill if it was supplied to We will be required to use ADI s generated proposals or our own? Yes, you will be required to use ADI s generated proposals. Where did the pricing come from? It came from a re-calibration with the existing contractors for the current market rates in late Will you change the pricing with the pricing for 2019? There is no plan at this time. Are we competing with the incumbents? No, we are looking to add one or more additional contractors to the program.

7 Has BGE contemplated a product pricing adjustment from existing pricing levels due to tariff related pricing increases being implemented by manufacturers? We have heard discussions about possible increases but we have not been asked to address any as of this time. It may be considered depending on the impacts. We are a lighting contractor based in XXXXXX, we focus on commercial and industrials facilities. We received the RFP for the residential program. While reviewing the link, I also saw an RFP for the Small Business program. Is this something we are required to submit for in order to continue to offer incentives for our clients? If we do not participate in residential or the Commercials small business program, is there another commercial program that offers lighting incentives? Thank you for your interest in the Small Business RFP; however, at time since we are past the intent to bid date your company is not eligible to bid on it. Another member of our ICF team will reach out to you about the other non RFP options you can take advantage of.