LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is inviting proposals for a qualified contractor to administer the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Douglas County. Proposals will be accepted through May 10, 2024. Request for Proposal materials are found on NDEE’s website, https://dee.nebraska.gov/node/2198.

NDEE receives funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s WAP to administer Nebraska’s WAP (NeWAP). Those funds are allocated to sub-grantees, who serve defined regional areas. The subgrantees work with individuals and families in their areas to make weatherization improvements to homes. This request for proposals is intended to find a qualified organization to serve as the sub-grantee that administers the NeWAP in Douglas County.

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency. The NeWAP program mission is to reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and young children, by improving the energy efficiency of their home while ensuring their health and safety.

Funds are used to improve the energy efficiency of the low-income homes using the most advanced technologies and diagnostic testing protocols available in the energy efficiency retrofit industry. In addition to the comfort, health benefits, and energy savings for the household, the energy conservation resulting from the efforts of the state and local agencies helps our country to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and our carbon footprint. General weatherization program information including frequently asked questions can be found by visiting https://dee.nebraska.gov/aid/nebraska-weatherization-assistance-program.

Answers to questions not found in the provided online resources can be requested through ndee.weatherization@nebraska.gov. The final day to submit questions is Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. New questions will be answered directly and then posted to the online question-and-answer guide.

Proposals must be received in NDEE’s Lincoln office no later than May 10, 2024, at 4 p.m. Proposals sent by fax will not be accepted.