RFP—2023-2025 Business Lighting Process Evaluation

Energy Trust of Oregon seeks a qualified evaluator to conduct a comprehensive process evaluation of the Business Lighting program offerings for program years 2023, 2024, and 2025. The evaluation will assess three distinct delivery tracks: Downstream Lighting (Existing Buildings, Industrial, and Horticulture offers), Midstream Lighting (Instant Discounts through distributors), and Small Business Direct Install (SBDI). The evaluation will synthesize changes in the regional Commercial and Industrial lighting market landscape driven by recent legislation (Oregon House Bills 2531, 2307, 4060, and 4066), analyze participation and savings trends across all tracks, and collect detailed feedback from program staff and market actors including trade ally installers, lighting distributors, and manufacturers.

Key research objectives include documenting how the lighting market has transformed since 2022 in response to fluorescent lamp bans and supply chain changes; comparing participation and savings across the three Business Lighting tracks by customer type, region, utility, and priority population groups; and developing actionable recommendations for program design improvements. The evaluator will analyze program and market data, conduct interviews with approximately 6-8 Energy Trust program staff members, 3-5 lighting manufacturers or subject matter experts, 3-5 lighting distributors, and 15-20 lighting installers across all tracks. The evaluation will not include primary research with customers but will have access to data from recent lighting research projects.

Key dates and milestones include: RFP issuance on April 6, 2026; Intent to Bid due April 20, 2026; Questions/requests for additional information due April 24, 2026; Clarifications posted April 27, 2026; Proposals due May 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time; contract award expected within 4 weeks; kick-off meeting within 2 weeks of award; draft evaluation report due December 18, 2026; and final report due within 2 weeks of receiving comments on the draft.

Deliverables include a detailed work plan with research methodologies and sampling plans; chapter(s) summarizing findings from document review, program data analysis, and stakeholder interviews; draft and final interview guides and summaries; a comprehensive final evaluation report with executive summary, methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations with tables, charts, and graphics; draft and final presentation of research findings; participation in an internal presentation and public webinar; and monthly status reports throughout the project duration.