NASEO Request for Proposals - Codes and Energy Resilience

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) seeks a consultant to support the development of resources that help State Energy Offices understand, evaluate, and advance the resilience co-benefits of building codes. This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), focuses specifically on low-rise residential building codes covered by the International Residential Code.

The consultant will deliver two primary deliverables: (1) an Inventory of existing state and local energy efficiency and resilience codes, including stretch codes, organized by hazard type, building measure type, and climate zone applicability; and (2) an Energy Efficiency and Energy Resilience Code Evaluation Rubric Toolkit (not exceeding 20 pages) designed for use by State Energy Offices to evaluate code measures and amendments. Both deliverables will address energy resilience (the ability to operate building energy services during major disruptions) and passive survivability (the ability to maintain safe indoor conditions during extended energy outages). The toolkit will include performance metrics, evaluation frameworks, example code language from state codes, and guidance on cost-benefit analysis and equity considerations.

Key dates include a kickoff meeting within 14 days of contract ratification, inventory outline due 15 days after kickoff, review drafts due at 60 days, and final drafts due at 90 days. Biweekly status update meetings will be held throughout the project. The estimated project period runs from March 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025. A presentation slide deck is also required, with review draft due 14 days after final toolkit acceptance and final draft due 30 days after final toolkit acceptance.

The consultant must have knowledge of programmatic, policy, and economic aspects of building codes, experience working with State Energy Offices and relevant state agencies, and understanding of how building codes support resilience and passive survivability. The consultant should address cost, resilience, and equity considerations in the deliverables. All deliverables must be provided in MS Word format, and NASEO retains all publication and reproduction rights. Monthly invoicing is required by the fifteenth of each month, accompanied by supporting time records and progress reports.