DOER RFR-ENE-2027-013 Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program Administration Services

The purpose of this Request for Response ("RFR", "Solicitation" or "Bid") is to procure the services of a contractor ("Contractor") from this RFR's bidders ("Bidder") via the Bidder's submission of a bid ("Bid") in response to this RFR, to assist the DOER in its responsibilities as the recipient of an award (the "Grant Agreement") under the Topic Area 2 of the U.S. Department of Energy's ("DOE") Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships ("GRIP") Program. The DOER was awarded the Grant Agreement in response to a multi-state application on behalf of the six New England states to implement Power Up New England ("Power Up Project" or "Project").

The Power Up Project is comprised of significant investments in regional electric infrastructure including proactive upgrades to points of interconnection in Southeast Massachusetts and Southeast Connecticut, and to deploy an innovative, multi-day battery energy storage system in Northern Maine to enhance grid resilience and optimize the delivery of renewable energy. In the administration of the Power Up Project, the DOER is the pass-through entity to the three developers implementing the three projects; National Grid, Eversource, and Form Energy Inc. (collectively, "Subrecipients").

The Scope of Services generally includes the responsibilities associated with the Bidder Qualifications listed above. The Bidder's responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

1. Project Management

• Facilitate and coordinate regular meetings with DOER, Subrecipients, partnering states, and other Project partners. This may include preparation for and participation in meetings with DOE.
• Track and manage DOER's obligations related Project tasks, deliverables and deadlines in accordance with state and federal law requirements and the Grant Agreement. This includes compliance with the federal terms and conditions associated with the Grant Agreement and attached hereto as Appendices C2 and C3.

2. Subrecipient Monitoring

- Track and manage Subrecipient obligations related to tasks, deliverables, and deadlines in accordance with state and federal requirements and the requirements of each subrecipient agreement. This includes compliance with the federal terms and conditions associated with the subrecipient agreements and attached hereto as Appendices C2 and C3.

3. Implement Project Governance Structure

- Implement and assist the Power Up New England oversight board, which is the Project's governance structure made up of representatives from each of the New England states.

4. Federal Grant Reporting

- Manage all reporting requirements pursuant Project's Federal Assistance Reporting Checklist ("FARC") attached hereto as Appendix C1.

5. Project Evaluation

• Measure, track and report Project success and timelines.
• Advise DOER on Project progress, including recommending actions such as seeking a longer period of performance for the Grant Agreement or other modifications necessary for Project success.

6. Subrecipient Reimbursement Process Management and Follow-Through

• Collect, review, and confirm readiness of reimbursement request forms, invoices, and supporting materials associated with Subrecipient reimbursement requests in accordance with the structure of the subrecipient agreement.
• Notify Subrecipients of any deficiencies in the information in reimbursement requests and work with them to cure such deficiencies in accordance with the structure of the subrecipient agreement.

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR. Responses must be sent via the "Create Quote" functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote, please see Appendix B.

Deadline:** **12/08/2026 at 4:00PM EST

Bidder scores will be used to rank Bidders and will determine which Bidders will proceed to subsequent stages of the evaluation and/or enter negotiations with the Commonwealth to receive a Contract award. Evaluation criteria include the following:

• Bidder Qualifications & Experience
• Bidder's Proposed Approach to Meeting the Scope of Work
• Price
• Capacity & Team Organization

Contract Duration: Initial Duration Two (2) years; Renewal Options Three (3) options to renew for one year each; Total Maximum Contract Duration Five (5) years.

Estimated Value of Procurement: Not to exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars (**$750,000**). The funding for any contract resulting from this Solicitation is conditioned upon the availability of federal funds to DOER pursuant to the Grant Agreement.

Estimated Contract Start Date: 1/1/2027.