Request for Proposals: Equity in Grid Services Initiative - Piloting Equitable Access to Dispatchable Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Services
MassCEC seeks a consultant to lead two community-centered pilots expanding equitable access to dispatchable DERs and grid services for low-income renters in environmental justice communities, with $600,000 total budget (including $150,000+ for DER deployment) and launch target of Spring/Summer 2027.
Categories
Important dates
-
Published
-
Questions due
Submit questions to grid@masscec.com
-
Q&A responses posted
Answers to questions posted on MassCEC website
-
Submission deadline
Deadline passed -
Oral presentations / interviews
Week of August 31, 2026; interviews of top applicants if needed
-
Anticipated award
Notification of award and contracting begins in September 2026
-
Contract start
Scope of work begins October 2026
-
Dispatchable DERs deployed
DERs deployed and live by April 2027 (initial target, may shift based on confirmed work plan); pilots launch Spring/Summer 2027 with one-year operation
-
Final report due
Final report available by June 2028 (initial target, may shift based on confirmed work plan)
AI overview
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) seeks a qualified consultant or consultant team to lead an initiative focused on increasing equitable access to dispatchable distributed energy resources (DERs) and participation in grid services. This work builds on MassCEC's Grid Services Study and the current Massachusetts electric distribution companies pilot phase enabled by the Grid Services Compensation Fund. The initiative supports the Commonwealth's energy access and affordability goals, including the Healey-Driscoll Administration's target of 3.5 GW of new load management strategies.
The selected consultant will design and implement two community-centered pilots that expand access to dispatchable DERs and ConnectedSolutions+ for renters and low- and moderate-income residents in historically underserved, burdened, or environmental justice communities. The pilots are expected to launch by Spring/Summer 2027 with a one-year operational period. The consultant will collaborate closely with MassCEC and a partner team that includes Massachusetts electric distribution companies, state entities, and community-based organizations.
Key deliverables include translating pilot learnings into actionable recommendations, best practices, and next steps to inform future programs, pilots, and policy in Massachusetts. The consultant will also advance shared learnings about increasing equitable access to dispatchable DERs and grid services participation across the grid services ecosystem. The anticipated total budget for this work is approximately $600,000, of which at least $150,000 should be reserved for acquiring and installing the selected dispatchable DERs.
Important milestones include: Questions due by July 10, 2026; Q&A responses posted July 17, 2026; proposals due July 31, 2026; interviews of top applicants during the week of August 31, 2026; notification of award and contracting in September 2026; scope of work beginning October 2026; dispatchable DERs deployed and live by April 2027; and final report available by June 2028.
Resources & contact
Proposal Document
View proposal documentUnlock Full Access to Utility Proposals
You're viewing past opportunities. Start a free trial to see active RFPs right now, filter by your utilities, and get real-time alerts — no credit card required.
Already have an account? Log in