During phase 1 of the energy savings performance contract (ESPC) process, the agency contacts a Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) federal project executive who helps educate the agency about procurement steps that are unique to ESPCs.
| Phase 1 at a Glance |
|---|
| Step 1: Agency Contacts a Federal Project Executive |
| Step 2: Agency Considers Procurement Requirements |
| Step 3: Agency Develops a Plan of Action for the Project |
| Phase 1 FEMP Assistance and Resources |
Step 1: Agency Contacts a Federal Project Executive
The agency contacts a FEMP federal project executive (FPE). The FPE helps the agency take its first steps toward an ESPC project by:
- Leading an initial briefing to educate staff and management about ESPCs
- Helping determine whether an ESPC project is feasible
- Helping gain management support for the project
- Helping determine needed FEMP project support services
- Coordinating FEMP services including engaging a FEMP-qualified project facilitator.
Step 2: Agency Considers Procurement Requirements
The agency contracting or procurement staff prepares to address agency-specific procurement requirements. The FPE advises about the unique aspects of ESPC procurements in these tasks, such as:
- Assembling an ESPC acquisition team
- Determining the agency’s requirements for the procurement at a high level
- Identifying review, business clearance, and approval requirements and responsible managers
- Beginning to develop an acquisition plan.
Step 3: Agency Develops a Plan of Action for the Project
Consider a grid-interactive efficient building.
The agency lays the groundwork for soliciting the interest of energy services companies (ESCOs) through a notice of opportunity. This includes:
- Determining project motivations and site needs
- Defining project requirements (and preparing the agency requirements document as needed)
- Determining the ESCO selection procedure
- Determining preliminary milestones for project award and implementation
- Planning for advanced technologies such as combined heat and power and renewable energy.
Phase 1 FEMP Assistance and Resources
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FEMP's roles in phase 1 of the ESPC process include helping agencies with:
- Leading the initial staff and management briefing
- Determining whether an ESPC project is feasible
- Gaining management support
- Determining needed FEMP support services
- Engaging a FEMP-qualified project facilitator.
FEMP also provides resources to help agencies complete phase 1 of the ESPC process.
During phase 2 of the ESPC process, the agency selects an ESCO to proceed with project development. See Phase 2: ESCO Selection and Preliminary Assessment.