RFP-26-601 Request For Proposals for Commercial Sub-Program Implementer

Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) seeks a qualified firm or team of firms to deliver retrofits of energy-efficient equipment under the Northern California Rural Regional Energy Network (NREN) Commercial Energy Efficiency sub-program. The program focuses on heat pump water heaters and lighting installations at non-residential facilities throughout a 17-county rural region spanning Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties. The implementer will prioritize disadvantaged communities (DAC), underserved, and hard-to-reach (HTR) non-residential customers and collaborate with NREN Program Leads who will provide outreach, initial site assessments, and project leads.

The scope of work encompasses four primary tasks: sub-program management including kickoff meetings and bi-weekly coordination with NREN staff; sub-program development including finalization of incentive amounts by region and preparation of a work plan; sub-program implementation involving lead follow-up, project identification, retrofit implementation, and tracking of performance metrics; and data reporting including monthly and quarterly reports to ensure CPUC compliance. The implementer will manage approximately 50 direct install projects across the entire NREN region with a total budget of approximately $1,000,000 through December 31, 2027, with at least half allocated toward incentive payments.

Key dates include a deadline for questions by 4:00 pm PPT on Friday, March 6, 2026; teaming partner list submissions due rolling through Friday, March 13, 2026; written question responses issued by Friday, March 13, 2026; proposal submission deadline of 5:00 pm PPT on Friday, April 3, 2026; proposer interviews between April 13-30, 2026; and contract award expected by Thursday, May 28, 2026. The implementer must maintain required insurance coverage including $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $1,000,000 business automobile coverage, and workers compensation as required by law. The successful proposer will be required to comply with all CPUC regulatory requirements, prevailing wage standards where applicable, workforce standards with specified certifications or training, and data protection obligations including encryption of personally identifiable information.