Q&A Posted - Distributed Energy Resources - 24NC0384 RFP Secondary

Background
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and ensures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services.

The CPUC is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to fulfill the requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 2143, which mandates a report on the progress made in growing distributed energy resources (DER) among low-income households and disadvantaged communities. This report aims to inform California policies and programs, aid decision-makers in understanding renewable energy distribution, identify gaps in implementation, and address inequities.

Work Details
The selected Consultant will conduct a market assessment of renewable electrical generation and storage distributed energy resources (REG-DER) development in low-income households and disadvantaged communities throughout California. The core objectives include:

- Analyzing the current state of REG-DER development;
- Evaluating the impact of California’s incentive programs;
- Identifying barriers to adoption;
- Forecasting growth over the next 5-10 years;
- Producing actionable recommendations for policymakers;
- Ensuring reproducibility of the assessment process.

Specific tasks include project initiation meetings, coordination meetings with CPUC staff, monthly progress reports, conducting program material reviews, developing a research plan, gathering public feedback on deliverables, conducting the market assessment, developing a market assessment report, creating reproducible processes for future assessments, and addressing any unanticipated tasks that may arise.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a period of one year from the date of execution during normal business hours.

Place of Performance
Services will primarily be performed remotely at the Contractor’s offices but may also require some in-person work at CPUC headquarters in San Francisco and other locations within California.

Bidder Requirements
The solicitation is open to all private entities, universities or governmental agencies. Contractors must comply with General Terms and Conditions as referenced in the RFP. Additionally, contractors are required to adhere to specific reporting requirements regarding Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) subcontractors.