New York is seeking proposals for behavioral energy efficiency projects that have already been tested and are ready for scale.
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority wants to replicate previous pilots, but on a broader scale in New York. Programs must have already been validated at an experimental level to participate.
The authority plans to award about $1.8 million for behavioral projects and $450,000 for an oversight contractor to provide independent third-party review.
Projects should assess the effectiveness, energy savings, persistence, and cost-effectiveness of the behavioral strategy used.
The request for proposals does not specify any particular type of strategy, but mentions by way of example programs that prompt people to save energy through commitment, feedback, follow-through, framing, in-person interaction, multi-pronged strategies, rewards and recognition, social norms and sunk costs.
NYSERDA intends to execute two to four behavioral contracts from the RFP . Bidders may target the residential, multi-family or commercial energy user. Bid winners are expected to track changes in energy consumption, demand reductions or other, non-energy benefits, such as increased comfort. Proposals must clearly state how energy savings will be documented (such as through energy billing data).
Bidders do not have to be located in New York, but preference will be given to those from within the state or who have New York partners.
NYSERDA intends to allot about 60 percent of the money, roughly $1.06 million toward behavior programs in this round of bidding. The remainder will be awarded in a second round of bidding in 2015 or 2016. The second round may focus on lessons learned in the first round.
The RFP was issued July 17. Proposals are due by 5 p.m ET, Sept. 15. A pre-bid conference will be held 1 p.m. ET, July 28.
The contact for technical questions is James Mannarino at (212) 971-5342, ext. 3020 or [email protected]. For contractual questions, contact Venice Forbes at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3507 or [email protected].
The RFP is available on NYSERDA’s website here.
