RFQ - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Consulting Services
Request for Quote (RFQ)
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Consulting Services
Equitable Energy Futures Grant — ESHD Energy Retrofit | DCEO Grant #23-444013
Response Deadline: 5:00 PM CT, October 30, 2026
Estimated Contract Value: $100,000 – $180,000
Project Term: Approximately 2 years (November 2026 – June 2028)
Funding Source: DCEO Equitable Energy Futures Grant No. 21-444013
This Request for Quote (RFQ) is used to initiate contact with Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EE/RE) consulting firms or individuals to support the completion of the project outcomes and deliverables described below. The RFQ process requires a submission outlining services, timelines, assigned personnel, and tasks to be performed.
This RFQ supports a multi-phased project funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Equitable Energy Futures Grant No. 21-444013, which includes performing energy audits, energy master planning, renewable energy strategy, indoor environmental quality improvements, and workforce development through mentorship and on-the-job (OTJ) training for assigned Energy Analyst (EA) interns.
1. Project Overview
The selected firm ("Contractor") will provide technical advisory, training, and implementation support services to the East Side Health District (ESHD). This multi-phase initiative is designed to improve energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and indoor environmental quality across multiple ESHD clinic facilities while building local workforce capacity and advanced energy analyst training.
The selected Contractor will work in coordination with United Congregations of Metro East (UCM) and Priority Consulting and Services (PCS) to advance energy retrofit planning and pre-construction activities outlined in the Equitable Energy Futures Grant Project in East St. Louis, IL (ESTL).
Spanning November 2026 through June 2028, the project integrates EA training, technical audits, energy master planning, and pilot renewable energy implementation to deliver measurable energy, environmental, and community benefits.
2. Scope of Work
This is approximately a two-year engagement, structured across two phases:
Phase 1 (Approximately Year 1 of Grant)
1. Provide technical training to selected EAs in HVAC systems and heating and cooling load calculations.
2. Create an on-the-job training schedule and curriculum for energy analysts to effectively coordinate with other project partners and energy analyst responsibilities. The schedule must include a training curriculum complete with aims, goals, and objectives of on-the-job training, sequential content modules and material covered in on-the-job training, proposed instructional strategies and modalities, and clearly defined evaluation methods to assess learning outcomes. Evaluation must define measurement modalities, processes for student feedback and strategies to review assessment tools in collaboration with the project team.
3. Provide training in utility benchmarking and baseline energy usage analysis (ASHRAE Level II audits).
4. Train EAs in the use of EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and support the development of ENERGY STAR scores for applicable buildings.
5. Provide oversight and technical direction to EAs conducting energy audits for three ESHD facilities, and explore providing energy audits of three additional clinics in rented facilities within the metro east region.
6. Guide EAs in the identification, development, and evaluation of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), including cost-effectiveness and ROI analysis. As an integrative component of the OTJ training, the contractor is responsible for co-authoring the ECMs with EAs and supporting them on producing a formalized Energy Audit Report (or Investment-Grade Energy Audit Report or ASHRAE Level II/III Audit Report) complemented by a board presentation pitch deck. Due to the nature of the project team responsibilities, this report will be a collaborative process requiring the integration of findings and strategies compiled by other project team members.
7. Provide support, in collaboration with PCS and UCM in the evaluation and recommendation of a State Approved Solar Vendor (ASV) to support solar development across ESHD-owned and leased sites. Finalized decisions on vendor hires are at the discretion of the ESHD. Contractors applying for this RFQ that are also approved state vendors are not excluded from applying as an ASV but are not outright guaranteed this position without entering into another round of procurement. The ideal candidate is a local Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for this position to promote local, economic opportunities on local projects.
8. Collaborate with EAs and the ASV to develop solar photovoltaic (PV) system recommendations, including financial and performance analysis, for applicable sites.
9. In addition to producing the energy audit report, the Contractor will support the preparation and presentation of audit findings and solar recommendations to the ESHD Board for approval as part of the Energy Master Plan guiding Phase 2 activities. This includes: audit findings and solar development recommendations for the three ESHD-owned facilities; estimated audit findings and solar development recommendations for the three additional rented facilities; and, where applicable, property acquisition considerations needed to support energy efficiency improvements at facilities with separate ownership.
10. In coordination with PCS, the ASV, and relevant legal and real estate advisors, support site identification and feasibility analysis for community solar development across the four ESHD service townships, including coordination with Illinois community solar programs and Ameren interconnection processes.
11. To ensure holistic integration with the Health District’s other programmatic and infrastructural development priorities, contractors are expected to exemplify knowledge of integrative approaches, as an example, providing enhanced commissioning support in coordination with the ESHD hydroponics facility design team or other health district priorities, as applicable. Scopes of work for this are negotiable as it is not a central component of the retrofit priorities due to its nature as a new infrastructural development project located on District premises.
12. Support PCS and UCM in the development of Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) to incorporate Justice40, racial equity, and/or Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework considerations into contracting and project implementation.
13. Assist UCM, as requested, in developing and maintaining a prequalified pool of equity-eligible professional service providers and contractors.
14. Support the development and issuance of RFQs for architectural and engineering services, as needed, to advance design and permitting for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Phase 2 (Approximately Year 2 of Grant)
15. Collaborate and support PCS in the identification, evaluation and application submission of third-party funding and financing opportunities to support Phase 3 implementation.
16. Support PCS, UCM, and ESHD in the selection of a professional design team to develop construction documents for Board-approved Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE) measures.
17. Provide oversight and coordination of the design team to support timely and complete development of construction documents.
18. Support the procurement and installation of VOC monitoring systems to establish baseline indoor and outdoor air quality data across ESHD facilities and surrounding communities.
19. Coordinate with UCM and PCS to distribute construction documents to prequalified, equity-eligible contractors and support the development of cost estimates for EE measures.
20. Support the solicitation and evaluation of contractor bids for recommended solar installations at both owned and leased sites.
21. Prepare and present consolidated findings, including project costs, projected energy savings, and return on investment, to the ESHD Board and relevant stakeholders to support implementation approvals.
22. Support PCS and ESHD in reviewing applications for energy efficiency incentives through Ameren Illinois programs, in compliance with pre-approval requirements.
23. If applicable, coordinate with ESHD, Ameren Illinois, and other project partners to support model development for other pilot demonstration projects taking place within the region, including the potential deployment of a solid oxide fuel cell system for on-site energy generation, battery storage projects, and/or other OTJ retrofit/infrastructural projects (TBD depending on the nature of energy audit findings, ECM recommendations, funding landscape and regional needs).
24. If applicable, provide technical guidance and oversight to EAs conducting residential energy audits and solar analyses for up to five low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. EAs will serve as project managers coordinating implementation, including contractor engagement and financing through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) structured to require no upfront cost to participants.
25. Support PCS, UCM, and the ASV in reviewing and structuring Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to align with Illinois Solar for All requirements and to provide appropriate financial protections for participating property owners.
3. Equity, Workforce Development, and Community Engagement Requirements
The Contractor shall demonstrate the capacity to effectively deliver services in communities historically underrepresented in the energy workforce, including but not limited to:
Returning residents (R3 populations)
Foster care alumni
Low-income and environmental justice communities
Required Qualifications
Demonstrated experience delivering workforce development or training programs for priority populations
Description of culturally responsive and inclusive training methodologies
Relevant staff qualifications and experience working in and/or with community-based program delivery (RFQ scoring will take into consideration local, regional and/or state owned MWBE/DBE companies).
Required Approach
Deliver training and technical assistance using culturally responsive and inclusive practices
Adapt instruction to accommodate varying levels of technical knowledge and educational background
Provide ongoing mentorship and support to program participants
Foster a professional, respectful, and inclusive training environment
Performance Expectations
Supporting participant retention and successful skill development
Providing regular reporting on trainee progress and engagement
Failure to demonstrate effective workforce development performance, including engagement and support of priority populations, may be considered in the evaluation of Contractor performance
4. Deliverables and Reporting
Training materials, workforce development plans, and master plan for health clinic retrofit and EE upgrades.
A clearly defined OTJ training schedule, submitted alongside project deliverables, energy audit reports, and audit report documentation.
Energy audit reports and ECM analyses.
Solar feasibility and financial analysis reports.
Procurement and evaluation documentation.
Funding and incentive application materials.
Regular progress reports and stakeholder presentations.
Commitment to attend bi-weekly team coordination meetings.
5. Coordination
The selected Contractor will coordinate closely with:
United Congregations of Metro-East (UCM)
Priority Consulting and Services (PCS)
East Side Health District (ESHD)
Relevant utilities, agencies, and other Phase 2 project partners
6. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Budget
Capacity and Coverage
Subcontractor Documents
Local and Diverse Business
Qualifications– Workforce Training/Mentorship
Qualifications - Experience working in Community
Qualifications – EE/RE Consulting
Integrative Project Alignment (BONUS)
7. How to submit a response
Interested firms or individuals must submit a written proposal, in PDF format, no more than three (3) pages in length, covering:
Contractor’s qualifications, credentials, and relevant experience for all proposed scope areas.
A detailed plan describing contractor’s ability, capacity, and approach to mentor and support OTJ trainees throughout the energy audit process
A supplemental document must be submitted for each proposed subcontractor, outlining their statement of work, qualifications, role distinctions, and any other relevant information specified elsewhere in this RFQ. The document must also disclose any known or potential conflicts of interest including financial or corporate ties, personal or familial relationships, prior professional relationships, gifts, hospitality, incentives, or overlapping project delivery roles involving the subcontractor and contractor.
A project budget itemizing all project-associated costs, including but not limited to: labor/personnel, subcontractor/collaborator, materials/equipment, travel and site visits, training and workforce development, administrative/overhead, reporting and deliverable production, and contingency. Costs must be broken down by project phase as outlined above.
Proof of, or written attestation of the ability to obtain prior to contract execution, general liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence) and professional liability/errors & omissions insurance, along with any applicable Illinois professional licensure (e.g., PE) for personnel producing stamped engineering deliverables. Applicants and proposed subcontractors must also certify that they are not ineligible to participate in Illinois State grant or procurement processes, are not listed on the Illinois Stop Payment List or the federal SAM.gov Excluded Parties List, and are in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, where applicable.
The three (3) page limit applies to the primary proposal narrative only. Subcontractor supplemental documents, the itemized budget, insurance documentation, and other relevant documents are submitted separately and are not counted toward the page limit.
Submissions must be sent electronically via email to both points of contact listed below no later than 5:00 PM CT on October 30, 2026. Please use the subject line:
"RFQ Response — EE/RE Consulting — ESHD Grant #21-444013"
Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing to both contacts. Responses to questions will be shared with all prospective respondents. Please note: ESHD reserves the right to reject all proposals, not award any contract, or cancel the RFQ.
8. Anticipated Timeline
Notification of award (or non-award) is anticipated on or around mid-November. This date is an estimate and subject to change at ESHD’s discretion.
Points of Contact
Bhagya Kolli, MS, RD, IBCLC | Primary Contact
Public Health Administrator, East Side Health District
650 N 20th Street, East St. Louis, IL 62205
Phone: 618-874-8806
Email: bkolli@eshd.org
Micah Prior, MSW, MPH
Project Coordinator
Priority Consulting and Services (PCS)
Phone: 913-244-6874
Email: mprior@pcs-firm.com
