Month: November 2024

Monday, November 18, 2024

To whom it may concern,

The City of Decorah is requesting proposals for energy planner services to assist with a project awarded funding under the Energy Efficiency and Community Block Grant (EECBG) program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

The proposed project, the “Decorah Low-Income Energy Savings Initiative,” includes assisting low-income residents in pursuing energy efficient home improvements, resulting in beneficial energy and cost savings, and reducing fossil fuel emissions.  For this project an Energy Planner will be contracted by the city to 1) provide free energy audits to 30 low-income, owner-occupied households, culminating in the identification of potential cost-saving energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification measures to pursue, and 2) following completion of the energy audits, to provide the same households with energy coaching regarding Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and local utility incentives that can assist in the implementation of the energy efficiency measures identified.

The following outlines work specifications and the request for qualifications:

Scope of Work: The scopes of services that the firm must be prepared and qualified to provide are as follows:

• Program Application Process:
  • Create and implement an application process for low-income, owner-occupied household participation in the Decorah Energy Savings Initiative. Select 30 households to participate on a first-come basis, pending confirmation of low-income status:
    • Low-income status for the purpose of program participation will be determined based on comparing application-identified annual income and family size information on the application to the 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Median Income Limits (effective June 15, 2024), found under Iowa Economic Development Authority’s website, under “Recipient Income Requirements and Census Information,” at iowaeda.com/cdbg/program-guidance/. Applicants shall be within the “low-income” limit set for the applicable family size for Winneshiek County.
    • Ensure the application gathers information on annual income, family size, and location, along with other information deemed necessary.
  • Energy Audits:
    • Conduct comprehensive energy audits for the 30 selected households, including:
      • Visual inspections, diagnostic testing, and data collection.
      • Using specialized equipment (blower doors, infrared cameras, combustion analyzers) to assess the energy performance of homes.
      • Identifying and documenting areas of energy inefficiency, such as air leaks, inadequate insulation, inefficient heating and cooling systems, and lighting.
      • Provide homeowners with detailed reports outlining energy-saving recommendations and potential cost savings.
      • Maintain accurate records of audits.
      • Energy auditors and energy audits must meet federal standards for qualifying for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy rebate and tax credit programs.
      • Energy Coaching:
        • Educate homeowners on available incentives or rebates to assist in implementation of energy efficiency measures, including those available from local utility programs and the Inflation Reduction Act (as implemented by the Iowa Energy Office).
        • Connect households with information on contractors and other professionals that could assist in implementing identified energy-saving measures.
    • Adhere to all safety protocols and company policies during audits and interactions with customers.
    • Maintain accurate records of program application process, auditing and coaching, and submit EECBG reimbursement requests to City of Decorah on established schedule.

Statement of Qualifications. Proposals to the city should include the minimum information:

• Description of similar projects the firm has successfully completed.
• Description of organizational capacity to complete all necessary activities, including resumes of all employees who will be or may be assigned to this project. Energy auditors must meet federal standards for qualifying for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy rebate and tax credit programs.
• Description of the anticipated timeframe necessary to complete activities.
• References from previous clients of related work within the past five years.
• Description of the firm’s errors and omissions coverage, including amount of coverage.

Evaluation criteria. The city will evaluate, and rank proposals received according to the following criteria:
Maximum

            Qualifications necessary to complete project
(including experience w/energy audits + coaching)   50 points

Previous work performance:                                            25 points

Capacity to complete scope of work:                               25 points
                                    Total:                                                      100 points

Deadline for submission. Proposals must be submitted no later than December 11, 2024 at 4:00 pm. Please send five (5) sets of qualifications and one (1) digital set to the attention of:

Travis Goedken, City Manager

City of Decorah

400 Claiborne Dr., PO Box 138

Decorah, IA 52101

Questions regarding this request for proposals should be directed to Travis Goedken at (563) 382 – 3651 or citymanager@decorah.iowa.gov. If the City of Decorah has questions or finds two or more firms with equal qualifications, you will be contacted.

The City of Decorah is an EEO Employer; MBE/WBE firms are urged to respond.

Sincerely,

Lorraine Borowski, Mayor

City of Decorah

Absentee voting is now available for the City of Decorah Special Election to fill a vacancy for Councilperson At-Large.

The Election date is December 10, 2024; and polls will be open that day 7:00am-8:00pm.

Absentee voting by mail begins 11/21/24, and requests need to be submitted no later than 11/25/24.

Absentee voting in person is available in the Auditor’s Office during normal business hours beginning 11/21/24 through 12/09/24.

A sample ballot and other Election Information is available at www.winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov.

Questions about this or any election related matter can be directed to: auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us or (563) 382-5085.