Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Provider in Douglas County
Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Provider in Douglas County
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is inviting proposals for a qualified contractor(s) to provide service and administration of the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Douglas County of Nebraska.
NDEE administers the federally funded Nebraska Weatherization Assistance Program (NeWAP) (10 CFR 440) for the state of Nebraska. Weatherization services are delivered to eligible subrecipients by sub-grantees who serve defined regional areas. The federal Weatherization Assistance Program was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency.
The mission of the NeWAP program 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.
All proposals will be reviewed by staff at Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with final recommendations forwarded to the director of NDEE for approval.
Any questions you may have regarding this invitation may be submitted to the following email ndee.weatherization@nebraska.gov. Final day to submit questions is Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Questions will be answered directly and then posted on the NDEE website for reference.
Proposals must be submitted to the NDEE office in Lincoln by 4:00 PM May 28, 2024.
Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program Overview
| Estimated Annual Funds for Douglas County | $1.2 million annually with supplemental Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of $1.7 million available through June 2027 |
|---|---|
| ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS | Applicants must meet each of the following minimum threshold criteria to be considered for selection: · Submit proof of being a Community Action Agency, non-profit or public entity. (10 CFR Part 440.15 (a)(1). |
| Project Environment and Scope of Work | The NeWAP operates annually under two federally funded programs. One is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program and the other is the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Service’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The LIHEAP funds are operated under the DOE work standards and regulations in the State of Nebraska. The two programs are operated in Nebraska through Federal pass-through funds to the NDEE who administers the funds. NeWAP relies on a network of subgrantees to deliver weatherization and affordable housing services in designated service areas. Subgrantees provide energy efficiency weatherization services using their own trained crews and/or subcontracting work to qualified contractors. Energy efficiency measures financed through the program can range from air sealing and insulating single-family homes to the replacement of heating systems in apartment buildings. The program assists all types of housing units, including single- and multi-family housing, manufactured housing, and group homes. The NDEE will allocate program funds in accordance with the NeWAP State Plan. |
| TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS | Under Nebraska’s Weatherization Assistance Program a subrecipient shall have the certifications to perform quality control Inspection (QCI) on dwellings being weatherized. Quality Control Inspectors (QCI) working for, or subcontracted in the NeWAP, must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Job Task Analysis (JTA) for Quality Control Inspectors. A certified QCI must sign off on completed homes before the home can be submitted for reimbursement. The applicant shall also demonstrate weatherization and/or energy efficiency program experience, ability, and readiness by describing their organization’s crew or contractor experience in performing the types of work required under the NeWAP. The bidder shall provide information on the relevant experience of technical staff who they propose will be performing Energy Audits, QCIs and working as Installers and Crew Chiefs. Additionally, in the case of QCIs, their current certification status and/or the bidder’s plan for securing a QCI certified within six (6) months of award. |
| ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY | The applicant will be responsible for administering the program within Douglas County, NE. Bidder must provide information on management and administrative experience and credentials to perform the Weatherization Assistance Program. This will include years of experience of executive director, weatherization program manager, and fiscal manager and staff. |
| TIMELINE | April 18, 2024 3:00 PM Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy May 15, 2024 May 28, 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 1, 2024 |
| APPLICATION DEADLINE | May 28, 2024 - 4:00 pm |
| SUBMITTAL PROCESS | Hand deliver, mail, or email a PDF to: Deliver: Mail: |