The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is soliciting qualifications from vendors to develop a pre-qualified vendor pool for market research, evaluation, and data analytics and cost-benefit model review projects. NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 utilities and energy efficiency organizations serving more than 13 million energy consumers across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The organization designs and implements market transformation programs aimed at accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient products and practices.
This RFQ establishes a pre-qualified vendor list to streamline the vendor selection process for approximately 20-30 small to medium-sized projects managed annually by NEEA's Market Research and Evaluation (MRE) Team. Vendors may qualify in one, two, or all three work categories: (1) Evaluation, (2) Market Research, and (3) Data Analytics and Cost-Benefit Model Review. Small projects typically range from $8,000 to $15,000, while medium-sized projects range from $15,000 to $80,000. Projects exceeding $80,000 will be contracted through open competitive RFP processes.
Evaluation work involves theory-based evaluations that assess how well NEEA programs are influencing markets according to program theories and logic models. These are longitudinal, mixed-method studies combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, and mystery shopping. Market research deliverables help identify barriers, opportunities, and knowledge gaps to advance market transformation goals. Data Analytics and Cost-Benefit Model Review projects involve validating model assumptions, analyzing baselines, and estimating energy savings associated with market progress.
Vendors must demonstrate technical competency in research design (methodology, instrument development, sample design and recruitment strategies), data collection and analysis, and synthesis and reporting. NEEA emphasizes expertise in recruiting from hard-to-reach populations in business-to-business environments, including trade professionals, building industry professionals, engineers, architects, manufacturers, distributors, and retail sales managers. Pre-qualified vendors will be eligible to participate in NEEA's limited RFP process for project awards.