ESPC Project Model Documents

Model Documents for an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) Project

Below are model contract templates and companion documents to help launch energy efficiency projects through Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). 

The ESPC Model Documents were prepared as resources that can be used when developing or updating procurement and contracting documents for ESPC projects and programs.

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Documents have been organized into four categories:

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Energy Service Company Solicitation

There are two main approaches to solicit an ESCO:

1. ESCO Solicitation with ESCO Pre-Qualification

2. ESCO Solicitation with Standard RFP

An institution can pre-qualify ESCOs using a Request for Qualifications (RFQ)/Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select from a pre-qualified pool of ESCOs. Model documents for ESCO solicitations with ESCO pre-qualification are listed below and are organized in the following three categories.

Request for Qualifications to Pre-Qualify ESCOS

  • RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOs [download]
  • Attachment A: Base Agreement ESCO Contract (See ESCO Pre-Qualification Contract and Attachments Section).
  • Attachment B: ESCO Response to this RFQ [download]
  • Attachment C: Final ESCO Selection Process (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment D: Cost and Pricing
  • Attachment D-1: Cost and Pricing Definitions Link 3
  • Attachment D-2: Cost and Pricing Spreadsheet Link 4
  • Attachment E: State Statutes on ESPC (Placeholder. No file)
  • Attachment F: Investment Grade Audit and Project Development Contract (See Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal)
  • Attachment G: Energy Savings Performance Grant (See Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal)
  • Attachment H: Financing Solicitation Package (See Financing Solicitation)
  • Attachment I: Owner's Memorandum of Understanding (See Attachment E under ESCO Pre-Qualification Contract section)
  • Attachment J: State Governor Executive Orders (Placeholder. No file.)
  • RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOs: Evaluation Workbook Link 5

RFP for Final ESCO Selection from Pre-Qualified Pool

  • RFP to Select an ESCO from Pre-Qualified Pool Link 6
  • Attachment A: ESCO Response to this RFP Link 7
  • Attachment B: Evaluation (Included in RFP to Select an ESCO From Pre-Qualified Pool)
  • Attachment C: Technical Facility Profile Link 8
  • Attachment D: Cost and Pricing (See attachments D-1 and D-2 in RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOs)
  • Attachment E: Special Contract Terms and Conditions (Included in RFP to Select an ESCO From Pre-Qualified Pool)
  • Attachment F: Investment Grade Audit and Project Development Contract (See Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal)
  • Attachment G: Energy Savings Performance Contract (See Energy Savings Performance Contract)
  • Attachment H: Financing Solicitation Package (See Financing Solicitation)
  • Attachment I: Legislative Requirements (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment J: Proposed Project Schedule (Included in RFP to Select an ESCO From Pre-Qualified Pool)
  • RFP to Select an ESCO from Pre-Qualified Pool: Evaluation Workbook Link 9

ESCO Pre-Qualification Contract 

  • ESCO Base Contract Link 10
  • Attachment A: Left Blank (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment B: Contract Renewal Option Letter Link 11
  • Attachment C: Left Bank (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment D: Cost and Pricing (See attachments D-1 and D-2 in RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOs) 
  • Attachment E: Owner MOU Link 12

ESCO Solicitation with Standard RFP (no RFQ Phase) 

In the absence of a pre-qualified pool, an institution can issue an RFP to solicit and select an ESCO. Model documents for ESCO solicitation with standard RFP include:

  • RFP for Facility Owners to Select an ESCO Link 13
  • Attachment A: ESCO Response Link 14
  • Attachment B: Evaluation Criteria (Included in RFP for Facility Owners to Select an ESCO)
  • Attachment C: Technical Facility Profile
  • Attachment D: Cost and Pricing (See attachments D-1 and D-2 in RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOs)
  • Attachment E: Special Contract Terms and Conditions (Included in RFP for Facility Owners to Select an ESCO)
  • Attachment F: Investment Grad Audit and Project Development Contract (See Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal)
  • Attachment G: Energy Savings Performance Contract (See Energy Savings Performance Contract)
  • Attachment H: Financing Solicitation Package (See Financing Solicitation)
  • Attachment I: State Statutes on ESPC (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment J: Other
  • Attachment K: Proposed Project Schedule (Included in RFP for Facility Owners to Select an ESCO)
  • RFP to Select an ESCO: Evaluation Workbook Link 15
Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal

Once an ESCO is selected, the ESCO enters into a contract with the institution to:

1. Conduct an investment grade audit to evaluate potential energy savings measures

2. Present a project proposal for a set of bundled measures that deliver savings to pay for the project over the finance term

Model documents for investment grade audits and project proposals include:

  • Investment Grade Audit and Project Proposal Link 16
  • Attachment A: Scope of Work Link 17
  • Attachment B: Notice of Acceptance of Investment Grade Audit Report Link 18
  • Attachment C: Guidelines for Preliminary Measurement and Verification Plan Link 19
  • Attachment D: Cost and Pricing for Investment Grade Audit Development (See attachments D-1 and D-2 in RFQ to Pre-Qualify ESCOS)
  • Attachment E: Sample Audit Workplan Approval Matrix Link 20
  • Attachment F: Review Comments Link 21
  • Attachment G: Energy Savings Performance Contract (See Energy Savings Performance Contract)
  • Attachment H: Financing Solicitation Package (See Financing Solicitation)
  • Attachment I (Placeholder. No file.)
  • Attachment J: Deep Energy Retrofit Planning Link 22
  • Exhibit A: RFP for ESCO Solicitation (Pre-qualification Phase; Final Selection Phase). Link 23
  • Exhibit B: ESCO Proposal (Pre-qualification Phase; Final Selection Phase). Link 24
  • Exhibit C: ESCO Base Contract (including maximum markups). Link 25
Energy Savings Performance Contract

The ESPC defines the project, establishing how it will be implemented during construction and how it will be managed through the entire term of the agreement, addressing construction details, roles and responsibilities of the ESCO and institution, and guaranteed savings through measurement and verification.

View a model ESPC Link 26 to see examples of how it can be arranged. Download model schedules and exhibits as one complete document. Link 33

Financing Solicitation

Financial firms may be competitively selected to provide financing, where the solicitation can be handled by the end-user or by the ESCO on behalf of the institution.

Model documents for financing solicitations include:

  • Financing Solicitation Link 27
  • Attachment A: Sample Provisions for Lease Contract Link 28
  • Attachment B: Financing Proposal Letter Link 29
  • Attachment C: Signature Sheet Link 30
  • Attachment D: Overview of Facility Improvement Projects Link 31
  • Pre-Qualification of Financing Firms Link 32