Request for Proposals: MASFA Educational Materials Provider

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) seeks an Educational Materials Provider to support the Massachusetts Solar for All (MASFA) program, a five-year initiative funded by a $156 million EPA award designed to expand access to clean and affordable solar energy to low-income and disadvantaged communities in Massachusetts. The Provider will develop comprehensive educational materials and resources for low-income residents, disadvantaged community members, solar installers, contractors, and community-based organizations to increase MASFA program participation and address barriers to solar deployment.

Key deliverables include creating clear, consistent, and actionable educational materials using multiple media types (written content, videos, flyers, social media content) available in the most spoken languages in Massachusetts (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Haitian Creole). The Provider must develop a web-based resident-facing pre-qualification tool that allows residents to preview potential MASFA program eligibility based on basic data such as zip code, household income, and family size, without collecting personally identifiable information. The tool may be embedded into existing program websites or linked from program webpages.

The Provider will support all MASFA initiatives including small residential, community shared solar, and multifamily affordable solar programs. Work includes developing trainings and webinars for sub-awardees, contractors, installers, and other key partners; creating materials to support contractor and installer qualification requirements; and assisting partners such as community-based organizations, energy efficiency delivery organizations, local lenders, and municipalities in accessing relevant educational materials. The Provider will engage in ongoing feedback loops with stakeholders to understand resident needs, barriers, and develop new materials as required.

While the greatest share of deliverables will be frontloaded in the first six months following contract award (targeting late summer program launches), the Provider will likely contract with MassCEC for the full five-year duration of the MASFA program, with occasional material production and refreshes as needed. MassCEC will work collaboratively with the selected Provider on scoping, prioritizing, and planning deliverables. Key deadlines include the question submission deadline of April 25, 2025, with answers posted May 9, 2025, and the proposal submission deadline of May 23, 2025. Interviews of top applicants are anticipated for May-June 2025, with award notifications in June 2025.