LEGAL NOTICE
The Town of Ridgefield invites all invited parties to submit sealed bids on
the following:
BID DUE DATE: May 28, 2026
BID DUE TIME: 11:00 AM
BID ITEM: Performance-Based Energy Services Contract
BID NUMBER: 26-10
Terms and conditions as well as the description of items being bid are stated in
the specifications. Specifications may be obtained at the following address:
Town of Ridgefield
David McFate
400 Main Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877
203 - 431 – 2720
The return bid envelope must be marked and addressed to the following:
TOWN OF RIDGEFIELD
PURCHASING AND FINANCE
MANAGER
BID NUMBER: 26-10
400 MAIN STREET
RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877
Bids may be submitted via email to the following:
purchasing@ridgefieldct.gov
SUBJECT: 26-10 [Company Name] Bid Package
Bids must be received no later than the date and time stated above at the
Purchasing Director’s office on the second floor or via email. For further
information, please call David McFate at (203) 431-2720 or email at
purchasing@ridgefieldct.gov
Results may be viewed at https://www.ridgefieldct.gov/departments/
purchasing/bid_notices.php after the bid opening.
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TOWN OF RIDGEFIELD
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Performance-Based Energy Services Contract
Mechanical, HVAC, Lighting, and Pool Systems Audit
Issue Date: April 20, 2026
RFP Number: 26-10
Proposal Due Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM
1. INTRODUCTION
The Town of Ridgefield (“Town”) in partnership with Ridgefield Public Schools (“RPS”)
are soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide a performance-based energy
services contract to evaluate, design, implement, and guarantee energy efficiency
improvements at the following facilities:
1. Town Hall Annex, 66 Prospect Street
2. Barlow Mountain Elementary School, 115 Barlow Mountain Road
a. (Includes a 138,000-gallon swimming pool)
3. Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Road
The Town may, at its discretion, expand the scope of this contract to include additional
municipal buildings. All proposed improvements shall be funded entirely through verified
energy cost savings generated by the project, with guaranteed savings provided by the
awarded contractor/vendor.
2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this RFP are to:
• Reduce energy and operational costs
• Modernize aging HVAC, lighting, and mechanical systems
• Replace electric resistive heating where feasible with air-source and/or ground-
source heat pump systems
• Improve efficiency of pool heating, ventilation, and dehumidification systems
• Maximize available utility rebates, state and federal incentives, and tax credits
• Transfer financial and performance risk from the Town to the contractor
3. PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTRACT FRAMEWORK
3.1 Contract Structure
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The Town intends to enter into a guaranteed energy savings performance contract under
which the awarded contractor assumes responsibility for delivering Energy Conservation
Measures (ECMs) that generate sufficient verified savings to pay for project costs.
3.2 Bundling of Energy Conservation Measures
ECMs shall be bundled across systems and facilities to maximize overall savings and
project viability. Bundling may include HVAC upgrades, electrification and heat pump
conversions, lighting and controls, pool system improvements, and building automation
systems. Compliance with the performance guarantee shall be evaluated based on total
verified bundled savings, not individual ECM performance, provided the guaranteed
savings are met.
3.3 Measurement & Verification (M&V)
The contractor shall establish an energy baseline for each facility using historical utility
data. Baselines shall be normalized for weather, occupancy, schedules, and other
relevant variables and approved by the Town prior to implementation. An M&V Plan
consistent with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol
(IPMVP) shall be developed and implemented. Annual M&V reports shall document
verified savings, adjustments, and compliance with the guaranteed savings requirement.
3.4 Rebates, Incentives, and Risk Allocation
All assumed rebates, incentives, and tax credits shall be clearly identified in the proposal.
The contractor shall assume all risk associated with the availability, eligibility, approval,
and receipt of rebates and incentives unless otherwise approved by the Town. Failure to
secure rebates or incentives shall not reduce the guaranteed savings obligation. Any
savings shortfall shall be reimbursed to the Town in accordance with contract terms.
Savings in excess of the guaranteed amount shall accrue to the Town unless otherwise
negotiated.
4. SCOPE OF SERVICES
4.1 Existing Conditions Assessment
The contractor shall inventory and assess all applicable systems, including:
• HVAC systems (boilers, furnaces, electric resistive heating, chillers, AHUs, pumps,
controls)
• Lighting systems (interior and exterior)
• Ventilation and exhaust systems
• Domestic hot water systems
• Motors, drives, and building automation systems
• Pool systems at Barlow Mountain Elementary School, including water heating,
circulation, filtration, ventilation, and dehumidification
4.2 Energy Audit and Upgrade Analysis
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The contractor shall identify and evaluate ECMs, including but not limited to:
• Replacement of electric resistive heat with air-source and/or ground-source heat
pumps
• HVAC and controls upgrades
• Lighting retrofits and controls
• Pool heating and natatorium efficiency improvements
• Each ECM shall include cost estimates, energy savings projections, and
integration into the guaranteed savings model.
5. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposals shall include:
• Firm qualifications and relevant municipal experience
• Project team and certifications
• Technical approach and methodology
• Bundling strategy
• M&V approach
• Financial model and guaranteed savings structure
• Completed Guaranteed Savings Formula Table
• Approach to rebates and incentives
• References from at least three similar projects
6. SITE VISITS
A site visit is recommended. The site visit will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026
beginning at 9:30 AM at the Town Hall Annex. All attendees shall contact Brian Hubbard
via email at bldgmaint@ridgefieldct.gov.
7. EVALUATION AND SELECTION
The Town and RPS will review all proposals and reserve the right to reject any or all
proposals and to negotiate with the selected firm.
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Town of Ridgefield, March 2025
TOWN OF RIDGEFIELD
CONNECTICUT
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
1. Bids will be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked with bid
number to identify this particular proposal. The Town of Ridgefield will also
accept electronic submission of bids via email. Bids submitted by email
must be sent to purchasing@ridgefieldct.gov. The time stamp of the hand
delivery or email shall be on or before the bid due date. Only one method
of submission is necessary.
2. Withdrawals of or amendments to bids received later than the time and
date specified for bid opening will not be considered.
3. The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Ridgefield reserves the right to
accept or reject any or all options, bids or proposals; to waive any
technicality in any bid or part thereof, and to accept any bid deemed to be
in the best interest of the Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut.
4. Bidders may be present at the opening of bids.
5. Bids may be held by the Town of Ridgefield for a period not to exceed
sixty (60) days from the opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the
bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders prior to the awarding of
the contract.
6. Insurance requirements: must be submitted with the bid. This includes
any Hold Harmless requirements as well as Certificates of Insurance for
the full amounts specified. Unauthorized changes to these forms, i.e.
adding, striking out and/or changing any words, language or limits will
cause the bidder to be disqualified.
a. Please Note: Prior to the start of work, the Town of Ridgefield and/
or the Board of Education shall be endorsed on the Contractor’s
policies of insurance as additional insured. The Contractor shall
obtain a policy of insurance, with minimum limits of liability as
specified containing an endorsement that covers this agreement to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Town/City and/or Board of
Education or any of their officers, employees, agents, servants and
volunteers. The Contractor shall obtain an
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.