Workstream 2 - Overview of Opportunity

Workstream 2: Third-Party Assessor Qualification

This workstream involves collecting applications from entities interested in having their assessments qualify as "equivalent to IAC assessments" in accordance with 42 USC§17116(a)(2)(C), so that their eligible clients can apply for implementation grants.

Workstream 2: Eligibility Criteria

Applications in this round of qualification must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Applicant is a domestic entity (mandatory) [3]
2. Applicant’s protocol and implementation recommendations are vendor-agnostic for implementation-related products and services
3. Applicant’s assessments are not limited to one or a small set of technology areas or interventions
4. Applicant is willing, if selected for qualification, to provide its assessment protocols and details on calculations when requested, and to interact with, DOE, the Industrial Assessment Centers, and other key program stakeholders to share best practices and ensure quality

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Workstream 2: Review Criteria

Applications in this round of qualification will be evaluated and prioritized using the following criteria:

1. The degree to which the assessor demonstrates substantial experience with comprehensive industrial energy assessments [4], either longitudinally (through along-running track record of industrial energy assessments) or as a demonstrably major focus of recent work (e.g., at least 25-50% of assessments provided in the last two years)
2. The degree to which assessments are free or demonstrably affordable to small- and medium-sized manufacturers
3. The degree to which the assessor incorporates input from key site personnel (e.g., Plant Manager, Energy Manager, Engineering Personnel) – including gathering pre-assessment data and input – to ensure its assessment is addressing specialized characteristics and challenges of assessed the site
4. Whether the assessor executes assessments in person at plant sites, or conducts assessments virtually but with demonstrable equivalent efficacy to that of in-person assessments
5. The degree to which the entity’s assessments generate final reporting that captures information and transparent calculations on (1) engineering and financial analysis of implementation costs and benefits, and (2) detailed overviews of plant operation, assessment activities, and identified recommendationssome text
   1. Note: Assessment results, and the associated recommendations, cost estimates, and benefits, should be based upon 1-2 years’ worth of actual utility data (electricity, gas, water, etc.) for the facility being assessed
6. The degree to which the assessor demonstrates a commitment to the IAC Program’s dual missions of (1) workforce development and (2) strengthening small- and medium-sized manufacturers, as well as a commitment to community and labor engagement; job quality; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and the Justice40 initiative
7. The degree to which the assessor’s capabilities, client base, and/or geographic coverage helps extend, or fill important gaps in, the IAC Network’s capacity and reach
8. The indicated commitment of the assessor to conducting yearly follow-up surveys to collect implementation data as prescribed by the DOE (e.g., whether implementation occurred, actual implementation costs, realized energy savings, total reduction of GHG emissions, etc.), and to sharing survey results data with the DOE

Qualified third-party assessors are required to meet and maintain the eligibility criteria above and maintain a consistent level of performance on the review criteria above to maintain their qualification as anon-IAC or DOE CHP assessor whose assessments will enable participating SMMs to receive IAC Implementation Grants. DOE retains the prerogative to request renewal evaluations of, or additional information from, third-party assessors to ensure continued eligibility, quality, and IAC equivalence.

[3]To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States

[4]“Energy assessments” refer to assessments that are conducted to improve industrial energy efficiency, material efficiency, productivity, or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and non-greenhouse gas pollution.