RFP Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program

731 E. 8th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501
907.279.2511
www.ruralcap.org
REQUESTFOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Rural Energy for America Technical
Assistance Program
Prepared By: Darrel Behymer, CPP
Date: 08/19/2026
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
PROJECT TITLE: Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM AKST
QUESTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM AKST
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: RurAL CAP is seeking proposals from individuals or firms to
provide technical assessments for rural small businesses and agricultural producers
applying to the USDA Renewable Energy America Program.
Questions may be submitted in written form no later than to:
RFP Contact Name: Shae Bowman, Energy Development Specialist
RFP Contact Name: Shelsea Russell, Community Action Resource Center Manager
Telephone Number: (907) 253-5884
Email Address: sbowman@ruralcap.org
Email Address: srussell@ruralcap.org
Anticipated Period of Performance: Contract will be from signatory date until August 31,
2027.
INTRODUCTION
Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) is requesting proposals from a
qualified licensed organization to do business in Alaska. Enclosed is pertinent information for
use in preparing your bid. This information will be used as a guide in the preparation of any
subsequent contract. Bids must be received via email to dbehymer@ruralcap.org by 4:00 PM
August 31, 2026. All bids must include the reference on email subject, "Renewable Energy &
Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance," and addressed to: Darrel Behymer, CPP. Bids
received after the deadline specified above will not be accepted. All questions regarding this
bid request must be emailed prior to August 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM AKST Responses to
questions will be sent to all parties who have received bid packages, proposals and who have
registered their email address. To register your email, contact Darrel Behymer, CPP.
One (1) copy of your proposal is required for submission to RurAL CAP.
RurAL CAP reserves the right to reject any and all bids and waive informalities in procedures.
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
INDEX
SECTIONS
1. General Information
2. Rules Governing Competition
3. Scope of Work
4. Proposal and Submission Requirements
5. Evaluation and Selection Process
Appendix A: Schedule A Insurance and Indemnification
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) is soliciting proposals for the
Renewable Energy America Program Technical Assistance Program for qualified contractors
interested in preparing technical reports for renewable energy system design or improvement or
conducting Energy Assessments and energy audits for commercial buildings, rural small
businesses, agricultural operations, and/or fishing vessels as defined in 7 CFR 4280.103;
assisting in REAP application development and the completion of required documentation
including environmental reports.
The following proposal request will outline the project goals and detail the format you should
submit your proposal. Please read the timeline carefully. In order for your proposal to be
considered, your proposal must meet our deadlines included in the timeline under Section 3.
Preparation Costs & Fees
RurAL CAP shall not be responsible for bid preparation costs, nor for costs including attorney's
fees associated with any (administrative, judicial or otherwise) challenge to the determination of
the highest ranked bidder and/or award of a contract and/or rejection of bids. By submitting a
bid each bidder agrees to be bound in this respect and waives all claims to such costs and fees.
SECTION 2: RULES GOVERNING COMPETITION
2.1 Examination of Bids
Bidders are encouraged to thoroughly review the complete RFP package prior to
preparing and submitting a response.
2.2 Confidentiality Information
The content of all bids will be kept confidential. A letter will be released to each
vendor who submitted their bid if it's been accepted or not after the review
committee has completed.
2.3 Proposal Format
Bids are expected to be brief and specifically address the criteria listed under the
scope of work.
2.4 Signature Requirements All bids must be signed.
2.5 Bid Submission
Bids shall be emailed to dbehymer@ruralcap.org
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
2.6 News Releases
News releases pertaining to any award that may result from the RFP shall not
be made without prior written approval of the RurAL CAP CEO.
2.7 Disposition of Bids
All materials submitted in response to this RFP shall become the property of
RurAL CAP. The original shall be retained for the official file and will become
public record after the award of the Contract or Contracts
2.8 Modifications/Withdrawal of Proposals
A respondent may withdraw a bid at any time prior to the final submission date
by sending written notification of its withdrawal and signed by an agent
authorized to represent the respondent. The respondent may thereafter submit a
new or modified bid prior to the final submission date. Modifications offered in
any other matter, oral or written, will not be considered. A final bid cannot be
changed or withdrawn after the time designated for receipt except for
modifications requested by RurAL CAP after the date of receipt.
2.9 Oral Change/ Interpretation
No oral change or interpretation of any provision contained in this RFP is valid.
2.10 Late Submissions
Bids received after the RFP deadline (date and time) will not be considered and
will be returned unopened after recommendation of award.
2.11 Rejection of Proposals
RurAL CAP reserves the right to reject any or all bids if determined to be in the
best interest of RurAL CAP.
2.12 Equal Employment Opportunity Reporting Requirements
The successful bidder may be required to execute and return EEO reporting
forms if required.
2.13 License and Insurance Requirements
The successful bidder is required to provide, with the bid, a current Alaska
Business License, Proof of Liability Insurance, Workers Compensation
Insurance and other required federal, state or local licenses. Please review
attached Schedule A, this covers RurAL CAP's insurance requirements to
consider while submitting your bid.
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
SECTION 3.0: SCOPE OF WORK
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain statements of qualification from
qualified contractors interested in providing REAP grant technical assistance, outreach, grant
coordination, and preparing technical reports for renewable energy system design or
improvement or conducting Energy Assessments and energy audits for commercial buildings,
rural small businesses, agricultural operations, and/or fishing vessels (as defined in 7 CFR
4280.103, and the appendices to Subpart B of Part 4280, Title 7); assisting in REAP application
development and the completion of required documentation including environmental reports.
RurAL CAP is seeking individuals or firms that meet the following criteria
Energy Assessor: A qualified consultant who has at least 3 years of experience and
completed at least five energy assessments or energy audits on similar type projects
and who adheres to generally recognized engineering principles and practices.
Energy auditor. A qualified consultant that meets one of the following criteria:
A certified energy auditor certified by the Association of Energy Engineers;
o
A certified energy manager certified by the Association of Energy Engineers;
o
A licensed professional engineer in the State in which the audit is conducted with
o
at least 1-year experience and who has completed at least two similar type
energy audits; or
An individual with a 4-year engineering or architectural degree with at least 3
o
years of experience and who has completed at least five similar type energy
audits.
Individuals or firms with experience on designing and evaluating renewable energy
systems including resource and economic assessments as outlined in Appendix B to
Subpart B of Part 4280, Title 7 and 7 CFR 4280.120
Individuals or firms with experience conducting REAP-grant technical assistance,
conduction outreach to businesses, and providing coordination for energy audits and
energy assessments.
Schedule and manage team and partner meetings: For full team with partners
o
and with active REAP TAG partners, schedule and run meetings (at that point that
would just be between Rural Cap and REAP)
Reporting: Prepare annual performance report for RurAL CAP.
o
Manage and update registrant tracking: Continue all additional data
o
management and data tracking that II has started and record in a shared
spreadsheet with fields to support performance reporting, registrant engagement
and facilitation through the technical assistance process.
Lead on TA process for registrants: take the lead on processing each
o
registrant, performing outreach steps, assigning to REAP TAG team members,
and when applicable assigning to renewable energy and energy efficiency TA.
Lead on preparing approval requests for energy audits and renewable
o
energy assessments: Information Insights will prepare requests/coordinate with
TA providers on cost proposals that would use RurAL CAP grant funds.
Each Technical Report prepared by the selected firms must be in in accordance with
4280.110(g) and 4280.120(b)(3) or (4) and include the following.
Technical report for Energy Efficiency Improvements
(i) Project description. Provide a description of the proposed EEI, including its
intended purpose and a vendor/installer certification that the EEI project meets
the requirements for being commercially available.
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
(ii) Qualifications of EEI provider(s). Provide a certification by the vendor/installer
that:

. (A) They are qualified to complete the project as intended, including the
number of years of experience with the proposed EEI technology. Any
contractor or installer with less than 2 years of experience may be required to
provide additional information in order for the Agency to determine if they are
a qualified installer/contractor.

. (B) The EEI system will operate and perform over the project's useful life in a
reliable and cost-effective manner; and
(iii) (iii) Energy assessment. Provide a copy of the energy assessment (or energy
audit) performed for the project as required under Section C of Appendix A to this
subpart and the qualifications of the person which completed the energy
assessment.
(iv) (iv) Simple payback. Provide an estimate of simple payback, including all
calculations, documentation, and any assumptions.
Technical report for Renewable Energy System.
(i) Project description. Provide a description of the project, including its intended
purpose and a vendor/installer certification that the RES project meets the
requirements for being commercially available. Appendix B contains instructions
for how a project is to be constructed and installed. Identify the project's location
and describe the project site.
(ii) Resource assessment. Provide vendor/installer certified projections on energy
to be replaced and/or generated once the proposed system is operating at its
steady state operating level, including the quality and availability of the
renewable resource to the project. If there is a residence closely associated with
the RES project, include the historical amount of energy used by the residence
and the historical amount of energy used by the agricultural operation or rural
small business, as applicable, to satisfactorily demonstrate 50% or more of
proposed generation will benefit the agricultural operation or rural small business;
(iii) Project economic assessment. Describe the projected financial performance of
the proposed project. The description must address total project costs, revenues
accrued from the sale or crediting of energy, quantity and value of energy offset,
and revenue from byproducts. Include applicable investment and other
production incentives and indicate if they are a one time or reoccurring incentive.
Provide an estimate of simple payback, including all calculations, documentation,
and any assumptions; and
(iv) Qualifications of key service providers. Provide a certification by the
vendor/installer that:

. They are qualified to complete the project as intended, including the number
of similar systems installed previously and any professional credentials,
licenses, and relevant experience. If specific numbers are not available for
similar systems, you may submit an estimation of the number of similar
systems; and

. The RES system will operate and perform over the project's useful life in a
reliable and cost-effective manner.
One or more firms responding to this RFP may be determined to be qualified and capable of
providing the necessary services and would therefore be eligible for further consideration with
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
RurAL CAP. We invite you to submit a proposal outlining your qualifications and relevant
experience in these critical areas. Selected contractors will negotiate specific scopes of work for
each individual task or program on an as needed basis. RurAL CAP will not be issuing any work
under this request.
As this program serves small businesses in rural Alaska, individuals or firms with experience
working in and with rural communities and willingness and ability to travel to remote locations
will receive preference.
SECTION 4.0: PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To achieve a uniform and expedited review process and ensure the maximum degree of
comparability, it is required that the bids be organized in the manner specified. Bids shall not
exceed 5 pages in length (excluding letter of transmittal, resumes, title page(s), index/table of
contents, attachments, or dividers). Information in excess of those allowed will not be evaluated
or scored. One page shall be interpreted as one side of single lined, typed, 8 1/ " x 11" paper.
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4.1 Title Page
Show the bid name (RFP), bidders name, company name if applicable, address,
telephone number and date.
4.2 Proposed Fee Schedule/Costs/Budget Limits
Bids must be submitted with your bid sheet, for services described under this
scope of work. The email must clearly state the RFP name and company name.
4.2 Provide a copy of your Certificate of Insurance and Business License.
SECTION 5.0: EVALUATION & SELECTION PROCESS
5.1 Criteria
Meeting the requirements of the RFP* 20 points
Fees/Costs 55 points
Experience with rural development; availability and
25 points
willingness to support rural communities
Total: 100 Points
*By providing all requested documents
The criteria that will be considered during evaluations, and the associated point values, are
as follows:
5.2 Evaluation Process
A committee of RurAL CAP staff will evaluate and rank all bids received prior to the deadline.
Oral interviews are not expected to be used in the selection of the successful bidder however,
RurAL CAP reserves the right to interview the highest ranked bidder if deemed necessary.
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
Selection Process
The highest ranked bidder may be invited to enter final contract negotiations with RurAL CAP
for the purposes of contract award. If an agreement cannot be reached, the second highest
bidder may be contacted for negotiations. RurAL CAP reserves the right to terminate
negotiations with any bidder should it be in RurAL CAP's. RurAL CAP reserves the right to
reject any and all bids submitted.
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Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Program
Appendix A
Schedule A
INSURANCE & INDEMNIFICATION
CONTRACTOR shall comply with the provisions herein entitled, Schedule A Insurance &
Indemnification. CONTRACTOR, at its sole cost, shall purchase and maintain the required
insurance with coverages, endorsements, waivers, and limits as described therein.
All insurance shall be maintained continuously during the life of the Contract. CONTRACTOR
shall furnish to Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP), certificates showing
the type, amount, class of operation, effective dates and dates of expiration of policies. Such
evidence is to be provided by CONTRACTOR to RurAL CAP no less than ten (10) days prior
to CONTRACTOR commencing work. It is understood and agreed that RurAL CAP shall be
entitled to notification at least 30 days prior to the expiration of such policies. Failure by
CONTRACTOR to maintain insurance coverage as agreed shall be a material breach of this
Contract and will result in termination of this Contract. Certificates shall be addressed to: Rural
Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP).
RurAL CAP shall not be required to confirm that CONTRACTOR has provided evidence of
coverage and/or renewals and no waiver by RurAL CAP of any of CONTRACTOR's
obligations pursuant to this or any other provision of this Contract shall occur or be inferred or
implied by any failure of RurAL CAP to insist upon strict performance of this or any other
section of this Contract.
All insurance required to be maintained by CONTRACTOR shall be primary to any and all
insurance (including self-insurance) obtained or maintained by, or otherwise available to RurAL
CAP and all policies shall be endorsed accordingly. RurAL CAP's insurance shall not be called
upon to contribute or participate with CONTRACTOR's insurance on any basis.
Except for Worker's Compensation and Professional Liability, each and every insurance policy
required of CONTRACTOR shall include an insurer's waiver of subrogation rights in favor of
RurAL CAP. Each and every insurance policy required of CONTRACTOR shall be endorsed to
name RurAL CAP as Additional Insured with respect to liability arising out of CONTRACTOR's
operations and/or its services hereunder.
In the event the terms of the current Contract and this Schedule A conflict, the terms of the
contract shall control.
Insurance Type and Limit Requirements:
* Workers Compensation for not less than $ 500,000.00 per occurrence
* Commercial General Liability not less than $ 1,000,000.00 per occurrence
* Automobile Liability Insurance not less than $ 1,000,000.00 per occurrence for
bodily injury and property damage
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