The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is seeking to develop a pre-qualified vendor list for market research, evaluation, and data analytics services to support its market transformation programs across the Pacific Northwest region (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington). This Request for Qualifications establishes a pool of qualified contractors and consultants 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.
Qualified vendors will be invited to submit proposals for projects within three work categories: (1) Evaluation work including theory-based evaluations using mixed-methods research combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic research; (2) Market Research to identify market barriers, opportunities, and knowledge gaps including market sizing, supply chain mapping, and consumer value proposition studies; and (3) Data Analytics and Cost-Benefit Model Review to support energy savings forecasting and model validation. Project budgets range from $8,000 to $15,000 for small projects and $15,000 to $80,000 for medium-sized projects, with larger projects exceeding $80,000 to be contracted through open competitive RFP processes.
Vendors must demonstrate technical competency in research design (including methodology, instrument development, and sample design/recruitment strategies), data collection and analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods, and synthesis and reporting of findings. NEEA emphasizes business-to-business research experience recruiting hard-to-reach populations such as trade professionals, building industry professionals, engineers, architects, manufacturers, distributors, and retail personnel. Vendors should describe best practices in managing complex, multi-phased research efforts and delivering clear, compelling reports suitable for publication and stakeholder integration.
Qualification submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis through December 31, 2022. Current pre-qualified vendors from previous RFQs (#50817 and #50510) must submit updated documentation by March 31, 2021 to maintain their status. New vendors will receive a response within four weeks of submission. All vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and comply with NEEA's standard contract terms and conditions.