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23-099 - Consulting Services for Management of City Municipal Aggregation Program

End date: Monday February 6, 2023 at 2 p.m.

In 1997, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed legislation relative to restructuring the electric utility industry. Retail access to the electricity market commenced March 1, 1998. The Consultant selected by the City will review any subsequent amendments to the legislation and conduct a review of any statutory changes pending at the Legislative Branch and any regulatory changes pending at the Department. The Consultant will also be responsible for monitoring federal restructuring legislation for potential impacts to the City’s Municipal Aggregation Program or the City.

MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL AGGREGATION PROGRAM

• The City seeks a qualified Consultant possessing a thorough understanding of load profiling, power procurement and pricing issues to perform the essential functions of operating the City’s Municipal Aggregation Program approved pursuant to M.G.L. c. 164, § 134. The Consultant or firm will be responsible for all technical and legal aspects of analyzing load data, administering the RFP process, leading negotiations with Competitive Suppliers, and providing ongoing management and monitoring of any Electric Service Agreements (“ESA”) executed on behalf of the City’s eligible consumers.

• Develop the aggregation plan: The Consultant shall develop an aggregation plan that meets all the statutory and regulatory requirements. All proposals shall include a schedule for implementation of the program, and include proposed start and end dates, along with intermediate delivery dates and milestones. All proposals should include a description of strategies for supporting local renewable energy projects, supporting community energy programs, and providing green power options for customers.

• Secure approvals from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and Department of Public Utilities (DPU): Prepare and submit, with municipal approval, the aggregation plan and all required filings with the DOER, the DPU, and any other appropriate state agency. Represent the community in all communications with these state authorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposers must provide all of the services described in Section 2 and comply with all Submission Requirements listed in Section 1.

• Thorough understanding and experience with regulatory requirements of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
• Thorough understanding and experience with all issues and tasks involved in developing and implementing a municipal aggregation.
• Demonstrated ability and experience with implementation of an aggregation.
• Thorough understanding of load profiling, energy brokering (including electric broker license), power procurement, and supply contract negotiation, and the ability to perform this role.
• Thorough understanding of the customer education and support required, and ability to provide quality marketing and education outreach in this capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to provide renewable energy and energy efficiency expertise directly related to aggregation.

Proposers must have previous experience in the energy industry and in consulting on the
development and implementation of a program for municipal aggregation for retail consumers, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 164, § 134 similar to the proposed contract.

Proposers must be equipped to undertake and commence the services specified upon the
execution of the Contract. Proposers shall include a brief schedule for the completion of the above services and the deliverables, including the proposed start and end dates and intermediate delivery dates. Proposers must describe the projected resource availability for the anticipated duration of the project.

Proposers must possess the following qualifications to perform the services, and must attach information demonstrating such qualifications titled “Description of Proposer’s Qualifications” to the Proposal Form:

a) office location from which the services will be managed;
b) detailed knowledge of M.G.L. c. 164, § 134;
c) detailed knowledge of D.T.E. 06-102;
d) competent legal resources with experience in the deregulation of electricity in Massachusetts; and
e) broker licensed by the Department to do business in the area served by the Local Distributor.

Proposers must possess any necessary licenses and/or approvals required to act as the City’s agent for its Municipal Aggregation Program to be eligible to submit a proposal.

Proposer shall not be owned or be a subsidiary of the any Competitive Supplier.

Any Proposer submitting a proposal must satisfy all of the minimum criteria noted . Proposals shall include information demonstrating compliance with each of these criteria.

The technical proposal includes all of the items required in this RFP for a complete proposal.

The proposer meets the minimum qualifications as laid out above.

*Proposals that do not meet the minimum qualifications/experience will not be considered for further evaluation.

The City of Springfield supports the goal of twenty percent minority and women participation in all contracts. No questions will be answered unless received by the Chief Procurement Officer at least 7 days prior to the expiration of the time set for submitting bids or proposals. The Chief Procurement Officer reserves the right to waive any informality in and to reject any or all bids if it is in the public interest to do so.

Contact: Lauren Stabilo lstabilo@springfieldcityhall.com 413-787-6284

Request the complete specifications for this solicitation (23-099)