The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) on behalf of its Member utilities is soliciting competitive proposals for a Shade Tree Program to provide cost-effective energy efficiency savings to electric customers. SCPPA seeks proposals for one or more of three service categories: (1) Shade Tree Selection and Delivery, which includes providing a pre-selected list of tree species, sourcing containerized trees of at least five species, and transporting trees to customers or distribution events; (2) Tree Planting Program, which includes providing certified arborist direction, coordinating installation dates, marking planting locations, communicating with customers, and verifying tree inspections; and (3) Shade Tree Website and Data Collection, which includes creating a customized secure website for each Member with interactive mapping tools, email confirmations, customer service support, dashboard analytics, GIS tracking capabilities, and program summary reporting with energy benefits statistics and community impact metrics.
Key dates include: RFP issuance on November 17, 2025; clarification questions deadline of December 8, 2025; responses to clarification questions by December 9, 2025; proposal submission deadline of December 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM PDT; proposal review period from December 22, 2025 through January 9, 2026; interviews if necessary with date TBD; and selection of respondent(s) for negotiation between January 12-23, 2026. Notice of Intent to Award is anticipated in January 2026.
Respondents must meet minimum qualifications demonstrating understanding of shade trees and energy efficiency benefits, with at least five years of relevant experience (or fewer years with demonstrated organizational stability and expertise). Proposals will be evaluated separately by service category. Respondents may submit proposals for one or more service areas based on their expertise and capacity. SCPPA reserves the right to award a single contract or multiple contracts to different proposers.