RFP-25-802 - Enhancing Behind-the-Meter PV and Storage Adoption Modeling in California

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Enhancing Behind-the-Meter PV and

Storage Adoption Modeling

in California

RFP-25-802

www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/

State of California

California Energy Commission

February 2026

Table of Contents

ATTACHMENTS

1. Contractor Status Form (Attachment 01)

2. Darfur Contracting Act (Attachment 02)

3. DVBE Declarations Form (Std. 843) (Attachment 03)

4. Bidder Declaration Form (GSPD-05-105) (Attachment 04)

5. Contractor Certification Clauses (Attachment 05)

6. Client References (Attachment 06)

7. Budget Forms (Attachment 07)

8. Sample Standard Agreement (Attachment 08)

9. Iran Contracting Act (Attachment 09)

10. California Civil Rights Laws Certification (Attachment 10)

I. Introduction

Purpose of RFP

Behind-the-meter (BTM) distributed generation adoption forecasts are a critical component to broader long-term energy demand forecasting in California. In 2024, the California Energy Commission completed a study with the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) which studied the growth of distributed generation technologies in California. The study resulted in improvements to the Distributed Generation Market Demand Model (dGen) which forecasts BTM solar photovoltaic (PV) PV and paired storage, including modeling payback periods for distributed generation under the Net Billing Tariff and a methodology for representing emerging consumer segments such as low-income and renter-occupied buildings. In addition to completed modeling improvements, the study scoped future model enhancements that would further improve distributed generation forecasting in California. The California Energy Commission seeks to improve BTM distributed generation forecasts by informing long-term electricity demand forecasts by executing a contract to address some of these recommendations along with others identified by Energy Commission forecast staff.

Key Activities and Dates

Key activities including dates and times for this RFP are presented below. An addendum will be released if the dates change for the asterisked (*) activities.

ACTIVITY	ACTION DATE
RFP Release	February 19, 2026
Deadline for Written Questions by 05:00 p.m.*	March 5, 2026
Pre-Bid Conference *	March 5, 2026
Distribute Questions/Answers and Addenda (if any) to RFP	March 13, 2026
Deadline to Submit Proposals by 11:59 p.m. *	March 27, 2026
Notice of Proposed Award	April 10, 2026
Commission Business Meeting	June 22, 2026
Contract Start Date	July 1, 2026
Contract Termination Date	June 30, 2028

Available Funding and How Award is Determined

There is $400,000 available for the contract resulting from this RFP. This is an hourly rate plus cost reimbursement contract and the award will be made to the responsible Bidder receiving the highest point score.

The Energy Commission reserves the right to reduce the contract amount to an amount deemed appropriate in the event the budgeted funds do not provide full funding of Energy Commission contracts. In this event, the Contractor and Commission Agreement Manager (CAM) shall meet and reach agreement on a reduced scope of work commensurate with the level of available funding.

Eligible Bidders

This is an open solicitation for public and private entities. Each agreement resulting from this solicitation includes terms and conditions that set forth the Contractor’s rights and responsibilities. Private sector entities must agree to use the attached standard terms and conditions (Attachment 08). The University of California, California State University or U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories must use either the standard or the pre-negotiated terms and conditions located at: ( DGS Lab Terms ). The Energy Commission will not award agreements to non-complying entities. The Energy Commission reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions prior to executing agreements.

All corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) that conduct intrastate business in California are required to be registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State (SOS) prior to their project being recommended for approval at an Energy Commission business meeting. If not currently registered with the California Secretary of State, bidders are encouraged to contact the Secretary of State’s Office as soon as possible to avoid potential delays in beginning the proposed project(s) (should the application be successful). For more information, visit the SOS website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/ .

Sole proprietors using a fictitious business name must be registered with the appropriate county and provide evidence of registration to the Energy Commission prior to their project being recommended for approval at an Energy Commission Business Meeting.

Pre-Bid Conference

There will be one (1) Pre-Bid Conference. Participation in this meeting is optional but encouraged. The Pre-Bid Conference will be held remotely through Zoom at the date, time, and location listed below.

Applicants may attend the workshop via the Internet (Zoom, see instructions below), or via conference call on the date and at the time listed below. Please contact the Commission Agreement Officer (CAO) listed on the next page or refer to the CEC’s website at https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations to confirm the date and time.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE

Date: March 5, 2026

Time: 09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

(Pacific Standard Time)

Zoom Instructions:

To join the Zoom Meeting , go to https://zoom.us/join and enter the Meeting ID below. Select “join from your browser.” Participants will then enter the meeting password listed below and their name. Participants will select the “Join” button.

Webinar ID: 832 3122 3995

Meeting Passcode: 101598

Topic: Improvements to Modeling Distributed Generation in California Pre-Bid Conference

Telephone Access Only:

Call 1-669-219-2599 or 1-213-338-8477. When prompted, enter the meeting number above. International callers may select a number from the Zoom International Dial-In Number List at https://energy.zoom.us/u/abEf4RINDr . To comment, dial *9 to “raise your hand” and *6 to mute/unmute your phone line.

Access by Mobile Device:

Download the application from the Zoom Download Center at https://energy.zoom.us/download .

Technical Support:

• For assistance with problems or questions about joining or attending the meeting, please call Zoom Technical Support at 1-888-799-9666 extension 2. You may also contact the Public Advisor’s Office by email at publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov or by telephone at 916-269-9595.

• System Requirements : To determine whether your computer is compatible, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux .

• If you have a disability and require assistance to participate, please contact Erica Rodriguez by email at erica.rodriguez@energy.ca.gov or by telephone at
916-764-5705 at least five (5) days in advance of the Pre-Bid Conference.

Questions

During the RFP process, questions of clarification about this RFP must be directed to the Commission Agreement Officer listed in the following section. You may ask questions at the Pre-Bid Conference, and you may submit written questions via electronic mail. However, all questions must be received by 5:00 pm on the day of the Pre-Bid Conference.

The questions and answers will be posted on the Commission’s website at

https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations .

Any verbal communication with a CEC employee concerning this RFP is not binding on the State and shall in no way alter a specification, term, or condition of the RFP. Therefore, all communication should be directed in writing to the Energy Commission’s Agreement Officer assigned to the RFP.

Contact Information

Diana Grady

California Energy Commission

715 P Street, 3rd Floor MS-18

Sacramento, California, 95814

Telephone: (916) 510-6553
E-mail: diana.grady@energy.ca.gov

Responses to this RFP

Responses to this solicitation shall be in the form of an Administrative, Technical and Cost Proposal according to the format described in this RFP. The Administrative response shall include all required administrative documents. The Technical Proposal shall document the Bidder’s approach, experience, qualifications, and project organization to perform the tasks described in the Scope of Work, and the Cost Proposal shall detail the Bidder’s budget to perform such tasks.

Reference Documents

Bidders responding to this RFP may want to familiarize themselves with the following documents:

Consultant report: “Modeling Distributed Generation in California”, publication number CEC-200-2024-011 Modeling Distributed Generation in California

2024 Integrated Energy Policy Report update Report

2024 California Energy Demand Forecast Files

A sample agent file for dGen is provided in NLR’s GitHub Repository

II. Scope of Work and Deliverables

About This Section

This section describes the contract scope of work, deliverables and due dates under the direction of the CAM.

Background

Senate Bill 1389 (Bowen, Chapter 568, Statutes of 2002) requires the CEC to prepare a biennial Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR). As required by Public Resources Code 25301(a), the report contains “assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand and prices.” The electricity demand forecast is used in electric grid system planning and electricity procurement, informing the CAISO Transmission Planning Process, CPUC Integrated Resource Planning, Distribution Planning Process, and Resource Adequacy work, along with other reliability studies such as the SB 100 Joint State Agency Report. The electricity demand forecast includes scenarios for BTM (PV) and energy storage adoption, as these technologies can reduce electricity demand from the electric grid. CEC seeks to improve methods for forecasting BTM PV and battery storage in the demand forecast.

CEC staff use a California-specific adaptation of the NLR’s dGen - a bottom-up market-penetration model - to forecast BTM PV and storage adoption for existing buildings across California. Developed collaboratively with NLR, the model considers the technical, economic, and market potential of these technologies to predict adoption. To efficiently assess potential across California’s diverse electricity customers, dGen represents them as agents. Each agent reflects distinct customer characteristics, capturing technical limitations based on geography and building types, as well as economic factors such as electricity rates, energy usage, and demographics. Clustering data across California with these considerations requires access to, and the capability to aggregate and map, complex data sets – including but not limited to: Interval Meter Data (IMD), and detailed demographic data from sources such as the American Community Survey (ACS). To our knowledge, a framework to distill and synthesize these data sources to build the most robust view of prospective BTM PV and storage adopters in California is not available.

Tasks Activity

o Task 1 Agreement Management

o Task 2 dGen agent refinement

o Task 3 dGen market dynamics assessment and adjustment

o Task 4 Enable choice modeling for leased vs. customer-owned systems

o Task 5 Technology cost refinements

o Task 6 Predicting storage attachment rates

Acronyms/Glossary

Specific acronyms and terms used throughout this scope of work are defined as follows:

Acronym/Word Definition

ACS American Community Survey​

Bidder Respondent to this RFP

BTM Behind-the-Meter​

CAM Commission Agreement Manager

CAO Commission Agreement Officer

CEC State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission or as commonly called, the California Energy Commission

CED California Energy Demand

CPUC California Public Utilities Commission

DG Distributed Generation​

dGen  Distributed Generation Market Demand Model​

DGStats  California Distributed Generation Statistics​

DGS Department of General Services

DVBE Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises

IEPR Integrated Energy Policy Report

IOU Investor-Owned Utility

ITC Investment Tax Credit

KW Kilowatt​

MW Megawatt

NBT Net Billing Tariff

NEM Net Energy Metering

NLR National Laboratory of the Rockies

NOPA Notice of Proposed Award, a public notice by the Energy Commission that identifies award recipients

Proposal Formal written response to this document from Bidder

POU Publicly Owned Utility

PV Photovoltaics

RFP Request for Proposals

State State of California

General Requirements or Goals and Objectives

TASK 1- AGREEMENT MANAGEMENT

Task 1.1 Kick-off Meeting

The goal of this task is to establish the lines of communication and procedures for implementing this Agreement.

The Contractor shall:

• Attend a “kick-off” meeting with the CAM, the Commission Agreement Officer (CAO), and a representative of the Accounting Office. The meeting will be held via Zoom or teleconference. The Contractor shall include their Project Manager, Contracts Administrator, Accounting Officer, and others designated by the CAM in this meeting. The administrative and technical aspects of this Agreement will be discussed at the meeting.

• If necessary, prepare an updated Schedule of Deliverables based on the decisions made in the kick-off meeting.

The CAM shall:

• Arrange the meeting including scheduling the date and time.

• Provide an agenda to all potential meeting participants prior to the kick-off meeting.

Deliverables:

• Updated Schedule of Deliverables (if applicable)

Task 1.2 Invoices

The goal of this task is to itemize the expenses and services provided by the contractor for purposes of payment in line with contract details.

The Contractor shall:

• Prepare invoices for all reimbursable expenses incurred performing work under this Agreement in compliance with the Exhibit B2 of this Appendix A. Invoices shall be submitted with the same frequency as progress memos (task 1.4). Invoices must be submitted to the Energy Commission’s Accounting Office.

Deliverables:

• Invoices

Task 1.3 Manage Subcontractors

The goal of this task is to ensure quality products, to enforce subcontractor Agreement provisions, and in the event of failure of the subcontractor to satisfactorily perform services, recommend a solution to resolve the problem.

The Contractor shall:

• Manage and coordinate subcontractor activities. The Contractor is responsible for the quality of all subcontractor work, and the Energy Commission will assign all work to the Contractor. If the Contractor decides to add new subcontractors, they shall 1) comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Agreement, and 2) notify the CAM who will follow the Energy Commission’s process for adding or replacing subcontractors.

Task 1.4 Progress Reports

The goal of this task is to periodically verify that satisfactory and continued progress is made towards achieving the objectives of this Agreement.

The Contractor shall:

• Prepare progress reports which summarize all Agreement activities conducted by the Contractor for the reporting period, including an assessment of the ability to complete the Agreement within the current budget and any anticipated cost overruns. Each progress report is due within 15 calendar days after the end of the reporting period. The CAM will provide the format for the progress reports.

Deliverables:

• Monthly Progress Reports

Task 1.5 Final Report

The goal of this task is to prepare a comprehensive written Final Report that describes the original purpose, approach, results, and conclusions of the work completed under this Agreement. The Final Report will be written in plain language that is easily understood by the general public or individuals with limited technical knowledge and will be published by the CEC. Additionally, the contractor will present their work at two public meetings.

The Contractor shall:

• Create a final report which includes:

o A timeline of tasks and when they were completed

o Model performance metrics for each task and the updates associated with said task

o All information sources and methodologies used in completing tasks and updating the model

o The directional change in forecast results with the completion of each successive task

o Recommendations for future model improvements

• Create a presentation showcasing the updates to the dGen model

o Present at public meetings

Deliverables:

• Draft final report

• Final report

• Updated dGen source code with all updates from completed tasks

• Presentation slide decks

TASK 2 – dGen AGENT REFINEMENT

The objective of this task is to enhance the dGen model’s representation of California electricity customers by creating new agent files—which distinguish the consumer population by characteristics such as energy usage, income, and rate schedule, and updating all associated reference data tables. These updates will integrate population, energy, and load profile data to more robustly reflect potential adopters of behind-the-meter (BTM) PV and storage.

The Contractor Shall:

• Develop new dGen agent files using:

o Interval Meter Data (IMD) to characterize inputs, including but not limited to:

• Customer populations

• Rate schedules

• Annual energy usage

• Hourly load profiles

o Interconnection data to:

• Update observed deployment that is complimentary to agent file

• More accurately reflect installed PV and storage system sizes

o Supplemental demographic data not available in IMD or interconnection data to incorporate:

• Income level

• Owner-occupancy status

• Devise a method to represent customers in utility service areas where CEC does not collect IMD. This method should approximate key customer characteristics required by the dGen agent file.

• Develop modular, well-documented code to automate the agent file update process. The code should include:

o Queries and data processing routines for IMD, including quality control and cleaning of the data

o Methods to represent customers in service areas lacking IMD

o Strategic joining of datasets to ensure consistent alignment of data across sources

• Produce An Agent Assessment Memo. The memo shall include:

o Analysis of results compared to the CEC’s current agent file

o Summarized metrics, including but not limited to:

• PV and storage capacity added by year

• Average and median PV and storage system sizes

• Payback period

• Net Present Value (NPV) grouped by key agent characteristics for each CEC planning area

Deliverables:

• Updated dGen agent files

• Agent file update code

• Agent Assessment Memo

Task 3 dGen MARKET DYNAMICS ASSESSMENT AND ADJUSTMENT

The goal of this task is to investigate the dGen adoption framework and potentially replace the current bass diffusion parameters and the maximum market share parameter. The assessment will require looking at market data, interconnection records, and census data to determine market penetration and adoption behavior for BTM solar and storage. Key outputs of the assessment will include either a) updated region-specific and sector-specific p and q parameters and an updated maximum market share lookup table or b) updated source code with a new adoption framework.

The Contractor Shall:

• Working jointly with CEC staff, determine data requirements to complete an assessment of the bass diffusion and max market share parameters including market reports and interconnection data.

• Prepare part one of the Parameter Assessment and Adjustment Memo with a recommendation to update or not update the bass diffusion and max market share parameters. The memo should include:

o Information on all data sources used

o The methodology for completing the assessment

• Meet with CEC staff to discuss recommendations before moving forward

• Submit part two of the Parameter Assessment and Adjustment Memo with:

o Analysis comparing the new adoption framework with the prior adoption framework. The analysis should be carried out with the new agent files and include:

• Summarized dGen output, including, but not limited to:

• Capacity added by year

• Mean and median system size

• Payback period

• NPV grouped by key agent characteristics for each CEC planning area

• dGen runtime statistics

o All inputs, assumptions, and methodology used in developing the following:

• If it’s determined that the parameters need to be updated:

• Updated p and q parameters

• Updated max market shares

• If it is recommended that an alternative method for simulating distributed generation adoption be implemented:

• Assessment of alternative approaches to modeling distributed generation resources that do not rely on max market share and/or payback period, e.g. electric bill reduction, including explanation for ultimate method selection

• dGen module(s) for the new adoption modeling framework

Deliverables:

• Parameter Assessment and Adjustment Memo

• If it’s determined that the parameters need to be updated:

o Updated max market share and payback period data files

• If it is recommended that an alternative method for simulating distributed generation adoption be implemented

o Updated dGen source code (see Task: Final Report)

Task 4 ENABLE CHOICE MODELING FOR LEASED vs. CUSTOMER-OWNED SYSTEMS

The goal of this task is to enable choice modeling in dGen to forecast adoption of third-party owned (TPO) solar and storage systems. The current dGen model does not consider TPO adoption, and only considers customer-owned systems. Key outputs are updated source code and a Choice Modeling Assessment Memo.

The Contractor Shall:

• Develop a Python module with choice modeling to forecast TPO adoption.

• Prepare a Choice Modeling Memo. The memo should include:

o An assessment of model performance highlighting historical and forecast adoption trends across ownership types. The memo should be based on the new agent file and updated adoption modeling framework and summarize dGen output by:

• Capacity added by year

• Mean and median system size

• Payback period

• NPV grouped by key agent characteristics for each CEC planning area

o dGen runtime statistics

Deliverables:

• Choice Modeling Memo

• Updated dGen source code (see Task: Final Report)

Task 5 TECHNOLOGY COST REFINEMENTS

The goal of this task is to evaluate the most applicable way to stratify cost inputs for the dGen model and make the inputs compatible with the model. Technology costs consist of the PV system with and without energy storage and are currently statewide.

The Contractor Shall:

• Working jointly with CEC Staff, evaluate the most applicable way to stratify cost inputs for the dGen model

• Revise dGen modules for compatibility with new cost inputs

• Create an assessment memo of technology cost input revision(s)

Deliverables:

• Revised dGen modules

• Updated technology costs

• Technology Costs Assessment Memo

Task 6 PREDICTING STORAGE ATTACHMENT RATES

The goal of this task is to improve the dGen model’s ability to predict storage attachment rates (i.e. share of PV adopters that also install storage) based on observations from recent interconnection data. The model currently predicts attachment rates based on cost-effectiveness but has been found to predict lower attachment rates when compared with real-world values.

The Contractor Shall:

• Meet with CEC staff to discuss a target range for storage attachment rates

• If necessary, adjust dGen model code to align predicted attachment rates with historical interconnection data

o Prepare a Storage Attachment Memo. The memo should summarize dGen output, including, but not limited to:

• Storage pairing rates by sector, utility planning area and income type

• Capacity added by year

• Mean and median size of stand-alone PV and PV paired with storage

• Payback period by sector, planning area, and income type

• NPV grouped by key agent characteristics for each CEC planning area

o dGen runtime statistics

Deliverables:

• Updated Storage Attachment Code

• Storage Attachment Memo

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES AND DUE DATES

Task Number	Deliverable	Due Date
1
1.1	Kick Off Meeting • Updated Schedule of Deliverables	8/12/2026
1.2	Invoices	With progress report
1.3	Manage Subcontractors
1.4	Monthly Progress Reports	Monthly
1.5	• Draft final report • Final report • Updated dGen source code with all updates from completed tasks • Presentation slide deck	2/15/2028 3/1/2028 3/1/2028 2/15/2028
2	• Updated dGen agent files • Agent file updates code • Agent Assessment Memo	12/31/2026 12/31/2026 2/4/2027
3	• Parameter Assessment and Adjustment Memo • If it’s determined that the parameters need to be updated: o Updated max market share and payback period data files	5/28/2027 4/30/2027
4	• Choice Modeling Assessment Memo	9/10/2027
5	• Revised dGen module • Updated technology costs • Technology Costs Assessment Memo	10/22/2027 9/24/2027 11/12/2027
6	• Storage Attachment Memo	1/21/2028

III. Proposal Format, Required Documents, and Delivery

About This Section

This section contains the format requirements and instructions on how to submit a proposal. The format is prescribed to assist the Bidder in meeting State bidding requirements and to enable the Commission to evaluate each proposal uniformly and fairly. Bidders must follow all Proposal format instructions, answer all questions, and supply all requested data.

Required Format for a Proposal

All proposals submitted under this RFP must be typed using a standard 11-point font, single-spaced and a blank line between paragraphs. Pages must be numbered and sections titled.

Method for Delivery

The method of delivery for this solicitation is the Energy Commission Grant Solicitation System (GSS), available at: https://gss.energy.ca.gov/ . This online tool allows applicants to submit their electronic documents to the CEC prior to the date and time specified in this solicitation. Electronic files must be in Microsoft Word and Excel Office Suite formats unless originally provided in the solicitation in another format. Attachments requiring signatures may be scanned and submitted in PDF format. Completed Budget Forms, Attachment 07, must be in Excel format.

The deadline to submit applications through the CEC’s GSS is 11:59 p.m. The GSS system automatically closes at 11:59 p.m. If the full submittal process has not been completed before 11:59 p.m., your application will not be considered. NO EXCEPTIONS will be entertained.

The CEC strongly encourages Applicants to upload and submit all applications by 5:00 p.m. because CEC staff will not be available after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends to assist with the upload process. And please note that while we endeavor to assist all would-be Applicants, we can’t guarantee staff will be available for in-person consultation on the due date, so please plan accordingly.

Please give yourself ample time to complete all steps of the submission process: do not wait until right before the deadline to begin the process. Due to factors outside the CEC’s control and unrelated to the GSS system, upload times may be much longer than expected. For example, some past Applicants experienced unexpected issues on their end, causing long delays that prevented timely submission. They spent significant time and resources on applications the CEC will not consider. Please plan accordingly. For instructions on how to apply using the GSS system, please see the How to Apply document available on the CEC website at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/media/1654 .

First time users must register as a new user to access the system. Applicants will receive a confirmation email after all required documents have been successfully uploaded. A tutorial of the system is available on the Energy Commission website under General Funding Resources. You may contact the Commission Agreement Officer identified in the Contact Information section of this solicitation for more assistance.

Hard copies or submissions via email or fax will not be accepted for this solicitation.

Organize Your Proposal As Follows

SECTION 1, Administrative Response

Cover Letter

Table of Contents

Contractor Status Form Attachment 01

Darfur Contracting Act Form Attachment 02

Small Business Certification If applicable

DVBE Declarations Form (Std. 843) Attachment 03

Bidder Declaration Form (GSPD-05-105) Attachment 04

Contractor Certification Clauses Attachment 05

TACPA Forms If applicable

Iran Contracting Act Form Attachment 09

CA Civil Rights Laws Certification Attachment 10

SECTION 2, Technical and Cost Proposal

Approach to Tasks in Scope of Work

Organizational Structure

Relevant Experience and Qualifications

Labor Hours by Personnel and Task

Client References Attachment 06

Previous Work Products (Optional)

Budget Forms (See also G below) Attachment 07

Contract Manager may modify sections A-F (Make sure that these items tie into the Evaluation Criteria):

A. Approach to tasks in Scope of Work

Describe the Bidder’s approach to providing services listed in the Scope of Work, highlighting any outstanding features, qualifications and experience.

B. Organizational Structure

1. Describe the organizational structure of the Bidder, including providing an organizational chart of the entire contract team.

2. Provide a short description of each firm and key members on the team. Describe the relationship between the Contractor and Subcontractors on your team.

3. Identify the location of the Bidder’s and Subcontractor’s headquarters and satellite office(s) and proposed methods of minimizing costs to the State.

4. Describe Bidder’s professional awards.

5. Describe the organization, composition, and functions to be performed by staff members of the Bidder and any Subcontractors and how the staff pertains to this contract.

C. Relevant Experience and Qualifications

1. Document the project team’s qualifications as they apply to performing the tasks described in the Scope of Work. Describe recently completed work as it relates to this Scope of Work.

2. Identify and list all Bidder staff and Subcontractors (all team members) who will be committed to the tasks and describe their roles.

3. Provide a current resume for all team members listed, including job classification and description, relevant experience, education, academic degrees and professional licenses.

4. Identify the percentage of time each team member will be available throughout the contract.

D. Labor Hours by Personnel and Task

Provide the title or classification of each person and their level of effort (hours) for each task, including subcontractor hours.

E. Client References

Each bidder shall complete Client Reference Forms. Three client references are required for the Contractor and three for each subcontractor.

F. Budget Forms

Category Budget Attachment 07

Direct Labor Attachment 07

Fringe Benefits Attachment 07

Travel Attachment 07

Equipment Attachment 07

Materials & Miscellaneous Attachment 07

Subcontracts Attachment 07

Indirect Costs and Profit Attachment 07

The Bidder must submit information on all of the attached budget forms and this will be deemed the equivalent of a formal Cost Proposal.

Detailed instructions for completing these forms are included at the beginning of Attachment 07.

Rates and personnel shown must reflect rates and personnel you would charge if you were chosen as the Contractor for this RFP. Bidder must include all people anticipated who will provide service on the Agreement. The Energy Commission may consider adding a person that the Bidder did not include in its Proposal. However, because the additional person might affect the Bidder's score or take additional time that the Energy Commission does not have or does not want to spend, the Energy Commission reserves the right to do any of the following, along with any other existing rights:

• Assess how the new person might affect the Bidder’s score, including possibly rescoring the Proposal

• Refuse to add the new person

• Add the new person.

Bidders are cautioned that they should include all team members in their Proposal.  The Energy Commission does not want to be in the position of assessing additional persons after the Notice of Proposed Award.

The salaries, rates, and other costs entered on these forms become a part of the final agreement. The entire term of the agreement and projected rate increases must be considered when preparing the budget. The rates bid are considered capped and shall not change during the term of the contract. The Contractor shall only be reimbursed for their actual rates up to these rate caps. The labor rates shall be unloaded (before fringe benefits, overheads, general & administrative (G&A) or profit).

All budget forms are required because they will be used for the contract prepared with the winning Bidder.

NOTE: The information provided in these forms will not be kept confidential.

IV. Evaluation Process and Criteria

About This Section

This section explains how the proposals will be evaluated. It describes the evaluation stages, preference points, and scoring of all proposals.

Proposal Evaluation

A Bidder’s proposal will be evaluated and scored based on their response to the information requested in this RFP. The entire evaluation process from receipt of proposals to posting of the Notice of Proposed Award is confidential.

To evaluate all Proposals, the Energy Commission will organize an Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee may consist of Energy Commission staff or staff of other California state entities.

The Proposals will be evaluated in two stages:

Stage One: Administrative and Completeness Screening

The Contracts Office will review Proposals for compliance with administrative requirements and completeness. Proposals that fail Stage One shall be disqualified and eliminated from further evaluation.

Stage Two: Technical and Cost Evaluation of Proposals

Proposals passing Stage One will be submitted to the Evaluation Committee to review and score based on the Evaluation Criteria in this solicitation.

During the evaluation and selection process, the Evaluation Committee may schedule a clarification interview with a Bidder that will either be held by telephone or in person at the Energy Commission for the purpose of clarification and verification of information provided in the proposal. However, these interviews may not be used to change or add to the contents of the original Proposal.

The total score for each Proposal will be the average of the combined scores of all Evaluation Committee members.

After scoring is completed, Proposals not attaining a score of 70 percent of the total possible points will be eliminated from further competition.

All applicable Preferences will be applied to all Proposals attaining a minimum of 70 percent of the total possible points. The agreement shall be awarded to the responsible Bidder meeting the requirements outlined above, who achieves the highest score after application of Preferences.

Scoring Scale

Using this Scoring Scale, the Evaluation Committee will give a score for each criterion described in the Evaluation Criteria Worksheet.

% of Possible Points	Interpretation	Explanation for Percentage Points
0%	Not Responsive	Response does not include or fails to address the requirements being scored. The omission(s), flaw(s), or defect(s) are significant and unacceptable.
10-30%	Minimally Responsive	Response minimally addresses the requirements being scored. The omission(s), flaw(s), or defect(s) are significant and unacceptable.
40-60%	Inadequate	Response addresses the requirements being scored, but there are one or more omissions, flaws, or defects or the requirements are addressed in such a limited way that it results in a low degree of confidence in the proposed solution.
70%	Adequate	Response adequately addresses the requirements being scored. Any omission(s), flaw(s), or defect(s) are inconsequential and acceptable. ...