NASEO Request for Proposals: State and Territory Energy Offices Supporting Energy-Efficient and Healthy K-12 Schools

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) seeks a contractor to support energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements in K-12 public school facilities. This project, funded through a cooperative agreement between NASEO and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office, aims to accelerate energy efficiency retrofits and improvements that produce healthy and efficient schools.

The contractor will support two primary deliverables over a 3.5-month performance period (April 30, 2024 through August 31, 2024). First, the contractor will advise on content, speakers, and logistics for two In-Person Workshop Events - one national and one regional meeting - that will convene State Energy Offices and relevant school stakeholders to discuss opportunities for increased coordination, innovative partnerships, and strategies to address funding and program needs in the K-12 schools sector. The contractor will be responsible for suggesting workshop sessions, activities, interactive exercises, and diverse speakers representing perspectives from State Education Agencies, school district superintendents, school boards, facility managers, energy service companies, and non-profit partners. The contractor will also identify and assist with outreach to prospective attendees and synthesize action items following the events.

Second, the contractor will develop up to three case studies on state-level initiatives for accelerating school energy improvements. Each case study, approximately four to six pages with figures and graphics, will highlight key findings from the workshop events and identify best practices from existing state-level programs. Case studies should address governance, data management, planning, funding and financing, technical expertise for facilities management, and accountability systems. The contractor will suggest relevant entities for State Energy Office engagement, develop recommendations for recreating program models, and suggest opportunities to leverage additional funding sources including federal tax credits, state revolving loan funds, green banks, and energy savings performance contracts. Case studies will be developed with close collaboration with NASEO staff and will be NASEO's property with NASEO maintaining all editorial control.

Key project dates include: Kickoff meeting by May 1, 2024; Workshop event planning support May 1-30, 2024; Draft case study outlines due July 1, 2024; Case study drafts due August 1, 2024; and final case study drafts due August 31, 2024. The timeline may change depending on internal and external review, and final DOE document review may delay final deliverable dates.