Request for Proposals for the Development of Affordable Homes - Questions and Answers

ZEOS Request for Proposals
2026

Contents
Overview .............................................................................................................................. 2
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Applicant Eligibility ................................................................................................................................. 3
Project Costs ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Submission Guidelines ............................................................................................................................ 5
Timeline .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Questions & Answers ............................................................................................................................. 5
Scope of Work ...................................................................................................................... 6
Task 1: Project Design ............................................................................................................................ 6
Task 2: Project Execution ....................................................................................................................... 6
Task 3: Certifications & Data Collection ............................................................................................... 7
Task 4: Reporting..................................................................................................................................... 7
Task 5: Knowledge Sharing .................................................................................................................... 8
Evaluation & Selection ......................................................................................................... 8
ZEOS Agreement ................................................................................................................ 10
Anticipated Term ................................................................................................................................... 10
Disbursement Schedule......................................................................................................................... 10
Application Submission Package Requirements .................................................................. 10
A. Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 10
B. Construction Plans, Specifications, & Building Information ........................................................ 11
C. Readiness to Proceed ........................................................................................................................ 11
D. Development Budget ....................................................................................................................... 12
E. Self-Scoring ....................................................................................................................................... 13
F. Minority Participation ....................................................................................................................... 13
G. Certifications ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Additional Resources........................................................................................................... 16
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 1

Overview
Through this Request for Proposals ("RFP"), the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance
Corporation ("RIHousing"), the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources ("OER") and Rhode Island
Energy, ("RI Energy") (collectively, the "Program Partners") seek proposals from qualified teams ("Project
Teams" or "Project Team Members") to design and construct affordable1 energy efficient Zero Energy
Building ("ZEB") housing unit(s) to serve low-and moderate-income2 ("LMI") residents in Rhode Island.
Approximately $1,558,000 of grant funding (subject to availability of funding) has been allocated by the
Program Partners for the development of these units. Project proposals must include heat pump
technologies and onsite (or if available community) solar in pursuit of ZEB status. The units include new
construction and/or renovation projects as detailed in the Project Requirements and outlined Scope of
Work. A ZEB is an energy-efficient building, where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered
energy is less than or equal to the annual on-site renewable exported energy (based on the US Department
of Energy's ZEB definition3).
The Zero Energy for the Ocean State ("ZEOS") program is the result of a collaborative approach by the
Program Partners to expand ZEB housing to LMI sectors. The Program Partners seek demonstration
projects that encompass four primary elements - design, explore, inform, and assess - meant to create a
pathway for scaling ZEBs in LMI residential sectors as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The program is in response to the recommendations included in the Rhode Island Zero Energy Task
Force's Zero Energy Building Pathway to 2035 white paper4. The white paper established a goal to create
ZEB demonstration projects across building sectors. Grant funds are to be used for eligible hard costs that
directly improve energy efficiency measures. ZEOS assisted projects must be completed within three years
of commitment date or funds will be recaptured at the discretion of the Program Partners.
The ZEOS grant awards will be limited to $18,200 per unit for 1-4 family developments and $7,500 per unit
for multifamily developments. The total award cannot exceed $300,000 for any individual project. Buildings
must qualify as ZEB (according to US Department of Energy's ZEB definition) and participate in RI
Energy's Residential New Construction Program.
Projects must be located within Rhode Island and may include:
* 1-4 family new construction, or townhouses
* 1-4 family significant rehab, or townhouses
* Multi-family new construction
* Multi-family significant rehab
Applicants will work closely with the Program Partners throughout the project design, construction,
performance verification, inspections, interconnection and data collection processes.
1 In general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of their income for gross housing costs,
including utilities.
2 Low- and Moderate-Income Family: families whose [combined] income does not exceed 60 to 120 percent of the median family
income for the area.
3 https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/09/f26/bto_common_definition_zero_energy_buildings_093015.pdf
4 https://www.nationalgridus.com/media/pronet/ri-ee-task-force/cm6459-ri-zne-white-paper-12_16.pdf
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 2

Objectives
The grant program will:
1. Provide a grant to contribute to the realization of one or more ZEBs that are aesthetically attractive,
affordable, replicable, and meet RIHousing Design Standards.
2. Stimulate innovative, replicable solutions to utilize cost saving clean energy and encourage demand
response technologies in homes available to LMI customers through the efficient use of multi-
agency funding.
3. Demonstrate the potential for solar PV systems in combination with heat pumps, energy efficiency
measures, and smart technologies to reduce the energy burden of LMI customers.
4. Deliver the highest, long-term utility bill benefits for the households living in the units.
5. Inform the Program Partners on the design and administration of future programs that contribute
to the mobilization of the ZEB market benefiting LMI Rhode Island residents.
The ZEOS project will:
1. Establish a replicable ZEB model for LMI customers that can be brought to scale across the State.
2. Explore options for ZEB feasibility and impact in the residential sector.
3. Inform the Program Partners and stakeholders on new and available resources, project successes and
details, and lessons learned.
4. Assess and evaluate aspects of the ZEOS project to identify areas for calibration and modification.
5. Identify options for customers to meet the zero-energy goal of their home.
Applicant Eligibility
Ineligible Applicants
1. Individual homeowners are not eligible to receive direct funding.
2. Previously funded ZEOS projects.
3. Projects located outside of Rhode Island.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants may:
1. be a company, organization, or institution including but not limited to:
a. non-profit organizations
b. for profit organizations
c. community-based organizations
d. private consultants
e. contractors
f. Previously funded teams
2. be a Project Team consisting of a lead organization with additional organizations to complement the
lead.
Applicants must:
1. have sufficient technical capacity in the design and oversight of high energy performing building
contracting.
2. include the following certificates and registrations listed in the chart below:
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 3

Qualification Information
Registered in Rhode Island All Applicants/Installers or Project Team members must be registered to do business in RI.
http://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-portal
State of Rhode Island Rhode Island law requires anyone in the business of commercial construction, home
Contractors' Registration and construction, alterations, remodeling, or repair to residential homes be registered with the
Licensing Board State of Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. https://crb.ri.gov/
Please provide a scanned copy of the registration card.
HVAC Contractor Training The HVAC contractor must be HVAC Check trained in proper airflow and charge protocols
through RI Energy's Rhode Island Heating and Cooling program. THIS IS REQUIRED
FOR PROJECTS WITH SMALL RESIDENTIAL STYLE HEAT PUMPS
https://www.rienergy.com/site/-/media/rie-jss-app/home/ways-to-save/rebates-and-savings-programs/heating-
and-cooling/RIE-Participating-Contractors-1625
Special Licenses Contractors must possess all the applicable licenses and certifications required under RI law
and regulations to install the technologies requested.
All solar and HVAC subcontractors hired and used for any activities related to the project must be disclosed
in writing to the Program Partners if they are not identified in the response to this RFP. All solar and
HVAC subcontractor licenses, registrations and insurance requirements must be provided to the Program
Partners at the time of hire. The Program Partners must approve the use of any solar and HVAC
subcontractors in writing prior to the Project Team using funds to pay for expenses associated with
subcontractor costs. The Program Partners reserve the right to verify the licenses, registrations, and
insurance requirements of all solar and HVAC subcontractors to ensure compliance with Rhode Island State
Law and the requirements of this Program.
Project Costs
The costs outlined below are demonstrative and do not represent an exhaustive list. If you are uncertain
about a cost's eligibility, please refer to the Questions & Answers Section of this RFP on how to submit
your question.
Ineligible Costs
The following costs are fully Ineligible:
1. Indirect/ Administrative Costs including those related to the preparation of the response to this
RFP and management of any awarded funding, if received.
2. Permitting, commissioning, and testing.
3. Gap financing for total development costs.
4. Costs for certification of projects such as HERS, LEED, EnergyStar rated.
5. Tree trimming or other vegetation management.
6. Batteries or controllers associated with energy storage systems5 (See eligible battery costs in next
section).
7. Re-roofing costs.
5 For projects proposing battery storage, applicants must provide a description of any extenuating circumstances that drive their
decision to include them as part of their ZEOS solution.
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 4

Eligible Costs
1. Purchase and installation of energy production systems such as: photovoltaic arrays.
a. Building integrated installations, such as solar shingles, are eligible assuming all other
requirements are met.
2. Purchase and installation of equipment that directly increases energy efficiency such as mini-splits,
VRFs, and ERVs.
3. Purchase of energy monitoring systems and technology such as smart thermostats.
4. Batteries installed at the same time as a PV installation (MUST be in same interconnection
application to the utility as the solar).
5. Soft Costs including feasibility studies, systems design/ engineering, and energy modeling (using
RIHousing's portion of ZEOS funds and not OER's portion of ZEOS (RGGI) funds).
Submission Guidelines
All proposals must be:
1. Received by the submission deadline.
2. Submitted using the OneStop application portal. Contact Nivea Linhares at
nlinhares@rihousing.com for your organization specific access code and instructions.
3. Completed in full. Failure to provide any information, certification, or document requested in this
RFP may cause your submission to not be scored.
Applicants are advised that all submissions (including those not selected for engagement) may be made
available to the public on request upon completion of the process and award of a contract(s).
By this RFP, the Program Partners have not committed themselves to undertake the work set forth herein.
The Program Partners reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, to rebid the original or amended
scope of work and to enter into negotiations with one or more respondents. The Program Partners reserve
the right to make those decisions after their receipt of responses. The Program Partners' decision on these
matters is final.
Timeline
RFP Issued: May 7, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: Thursday, June 18, 2026, 4:00 pm EST
Questions & Answers
Questions about this RFP can be submitted via email to ZEOSprogram@rihousing.com and Q&A will be
publicly posted on the ZEOS RFP page on https://www.rihousing.com/rfps-rfqs/ and updated weekly.
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 5

Scope of Work
The demonstration project must complete each Task as outlined in this RFP. Projects that also utilize
demand response technologies such as battery storage, smart thermostats, or other smart appliances and
participate in RI Energy's demand response programs to optimize energy time of use, are strongly
encouraged.
Task 1: Project Design
1. Design the project to meet or exceed the Minimum Technical Requirements in the chart below.
2. Identify homeowners or tenants and their eligibility under HUD's 120% AMI guidelines.
Minimum Technical Requirements
Item Notes
Department of Energy, In addition, the final project (including the PV solar installation) must meet DOE's definition
Efficient New Homes of a ZEB. An independent third-party must verify that the project meets the DOE ZEB.
RI Energy, Energy Must meet the requirements of RI Energy's Residential New Construction Program and
Certification achieve a minimum of RNC Tier 2 (26% savings). RNC Tier 3 (40% savings) is encouraged.
Solar PV and Heat Pumps Must demonstrate compliance with any Minimum Technical Requirements set forth in any
incentive program for solar PV or Heat Pumps utilized in the proposed project.
Program Partners reserve the right to inspect any system installed under this program and
withhold funding for any project that does not satisfy any relevant incentive program
Minimum Technical Requirements.
Solar and Related Equipment All installations must use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Proposed PV equipment must
be UL listed. Equipment listed on the California Energy Commission's list of approved
equipment6 is recommended.
Solar PV All installations must use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Proposed PV equipment must
be UL listed. Equipment listed on the California Energy Commission's list of approved
equipment7 is recommended.
Heat Pumps Refer to the Clean Heat Rhode Island list of eligible products, including air-source, Air-to-
Water, and Ground-Source units8. Contractor must be HVAC Check trained in proper airflow
and charge protocols through RI Energy's Rhode Island Heating and Cooling program.
Task 2: Project Execution
1. Systems shall be installed in a turn-key manner, with the Project Team leader overseeing all
installation activities. All equipment shall be installed in a manner consistent with the minimum
technical requirements found in this document. It is expected that a higher level of installation
6 https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/solar-equipment-lists
7 https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/solar-equipment-lists
8 https://cleanheatri.com/resources/incentives/#requirements
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 6

monitoring be conducted as installation of systems is critical to achieving maximum energy
efficiency.
2. Include a data acquisition system ("DAS") to be installed with the PV system. Specifications
sheet(s) for the proposed DAS must be provided to and approved by the Project Partners. A list of
DAS providers can be found in the Additional Resources section of this document. If wireless
Internet will be a barrier to the DAS requirement at the proposed project location, solutions must be
proposed and approved before DAS installation. The contract with the solar developer must
explicitly identify the party responsible for the continuous functioning of the DAS system. The solar
contractor must be made aware of this requirement.
3. Include additional on-site construction supervision by CLEAResult or other similarly qualified entity
for the installation of energy efficient measures in the program design and construction costs.
Warranty Requirements
Item Minimum Warranty Length Required by the ZEOS Program
Heat Pumps 5 years
Battery storage 10 years
EV Charging 2 years
Solar PV 20 Years on Equipment, 3 years workmanship, 1 year Labor & Material.
An extended warranty that must meet or exceed the expected life of the PV installation. If an
extended warranty is not available or if the equipment is not warrantied for the entire
PV inverter(s)
expected life of the system (minimum 20 years), please detail the plan to replace the
inverter(s) making sure to include the replacement cost in the proposed fee structure.
Task 3: Certifications & Data Collection
1. Obtain certifications that the building(s) meet the DOE Efficient New Homes standards and at
minimum RNC Tier 2 (26% savings) as a building for multifamily, and single family as a unit. RNC
Tier 3 (40% savings) and PHUIS certification is encouraged.
2. Project Team will work with RI Energy and Project Partners to conduct testing that verifies the
building is performing as designed to meet expected energy use goals. CLEAResult or other
qualified entity to conduct systems testing and performance monitoring at various construction
benchmarks and written reports to be supplied to Program Partners. Project Team to make
adjustments to building systems to address any inefficiency as needed in order to maximize building
performance.
Task 4: Reporting
1. Awardees will be required to participate in ongoing installation monitoring and job progress
reporting and/or meetings and payment requisition meetings.
2. Awardees will be required to authorize Rhode Island Energy to share the energy savings assessment
for the project with the Office of Energy Resources.
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 7

3. Awardees will be required to submit the final estimated total lifetime electricity production (provided
by the solar installer) of the solar array system at the completion of the installation of the panels to
the Program Partners.
4. Provide to the Program Partners the results of post construction inspection by CLEAResult or
other entity to confirm minimum RNC Tier II and DOE Efficient New Homes achievement as
soon as available.
Task 5: Knowledge Sharing
1. Make available a public construction best practice document for the development of ZEB projects
(template to be provided by Program Partners at a later date).
2. Provide an Operations & Maintenance Training Manual for residents and make it publicly available
to advance the operations knowledge of ZEB building owners.
3. Provide site access for tours and educational activities in coordination with the Project Partners.
Evaluation & Selection
The Program Partners will review all proposals and make a determination based on the factors as outlined
below. All projects will be scored on their Project Team Experience, Project Approach & Goals, and Budget
& Use of Funds totaling a maximum of 105pts. While not a requirement of the Program, applicants are
highly encouraged to achieve up to 15 bonus points for the inclusion of Innovative Technologies in their
Projects.
This is a competitive application process. The highest scoring projects will be prioritized to receive funding
at their full requested amount. Lower scoring projects will be considered for funding as long as funding
remains. The Program Partners reserve the right to not fund any projects that do not meet the minimum
requirements of the Program.
Point Allocation Summary
Category Possible Points
Project Team Experience (up to 20pts)
Evidence of Project Team's technical capacity in High Performance Energy Contracting. 5
Proven Successful Track Record with: Energy Efficiency, Heat Pumps, Integrated Controls, Solar PV 4
Proven Record of creating LMI Housing 3
Demonstrates Capacity within Organization to manage proposed project 2
MBE/WBE Minority Status (Development Team Only) 2
Proven Commitment to Affirmative Action 2
Advanced Certifications and licenses (LEED, PHIUS, etc.) (Development Team Only) 2
Project Approach and Goals (up to 45pts)
Replicable/ Scalable 5
Affordable 60-120% AMI (60% or below full 5 pts) 5
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 8

Development of Plans & Specifications: Schematic 2 pts; 50% 4 pts; 90% 6 pts; 100% 8 pts 8
Clear Timeline/ Readiness to Proceed: Permit in hand eligible for full 10 pts; Master Plan 2 pts;
10
Preliminary Plan 2 pts; Final Plan or Zoning by Right 4 pts
Meets RNC Tier 3 (40% savings) or min. RNC Tier 2 AND Pre certified for Passive House
5
(PHIUS). Demonstration of certifiability for Energy Star 1.1 Multifamily or Energy Star 3.1
Demonstrate pass-through savings to occupants 3
Walkability Metric from walkscore.com: 40-60 1pt; 60+ 2 pts 2
HERS Energy Modeling of Design 2
Solar sized for common areas only 1 pt; Solar sized for common areas and site 3 pts; Common areas,
5
site, and entire building 5 pts
Budget & Use of Funds (up to 40pts)
Readiness to Proceed; Provide proof of commitment letters from all funding sources 10
Leveraging of Funds to minimize ZEOS request. Ratio of Total Request/# of Units Effected 5
Fees in line with RIH guidelines, developer fees, overhead and profit, general conditions 5
Integration of existing energy efficiency & renewable energy programs & incentives (solar REG
5
incentives are not eligible)
Cost Benefit Analysis of energy efficiency and solar capacity (Solar array study with ROI and cost
5
benefit analysis)
Cost Effective, Durable and Long-Lasting Design 4
Total Development Cost/Unit (at or below RIH Guidelines) 3
Efficient ongoing maintenance cost 3
Total Possible Points 105
Innovative Technologies (15 bonus pts)
Energy Storage 3
EV Charging Infrastructure (3 Full Points for EV Charger, 1 point for EV Ready) 3
Energy Management Systems or Smart Controls (Wi-Fi enabled thermostats) 1
Demand Response Program Participation and Expected Revenues (see the Additional Resources
4
section for more information)
Use of Rhode Island Stretch Code 2
Other Energy Sources besides Solar and Resource Saving Equipment 1
Green Site Design (bioswales, green infrastructure, building orientation, preserving of open space,
1
clustering of buildings)
ZEOS Request for Proposals 2026 9