Basic Information

Reference Number

0000243565

Issuing Organization

Ontario Energy Board

Solicitation Type

RFP - Request for Proposal (Formal)

Solicitation Number

RFPOEBDSMNTGCPSV03202023

Title

Natural Gas Demand Side Management Program - Evaluation Custom Project Savings

Source ID

PV.BD.ON.463551.C74658

Agreement Type

Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

Details

Location

Canada, Ontario, Toronto

Delivery Point

OEB Office

Purchase Type

Duration: 2 years

Description

Project Background
The OEB is responsible for leading the evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) activities related to OEB-approved, ratepayer-funded natural gas demand side management (DSM) programs.

The OEB is seeking a vendor to complete an impact evaluation of Enbridge Gas Inc.'s Custom Commercial, Custom Industrial and Large Volume Programs over a two-year term. In particular, the OEB is seeking a vendor to complete the following evaluation activities:

A net-to-gross study of Enbridge's custom commercial, custom industrial and large volume programs. At a minimum, the OEB is interested in vendors making proposals for completing an updated net-to-gross evaluation, including determining new adjustment factors for free ridership and participant spillover, based on a recent program year (either 2022, 2023 or 2024). Vendors are also expected to make a proposal for how best to complete a second net-to-gross evaluation that results in an updated free ridership value for one additional subsequent year (either the 2023 or 2024 program years depending on the initial year proposed to be evaluated).

The OEB has previously completed net-to-gross related evaluations related to the 2018 custom programs (free ridership only) and the 2015 custom programs (which studied free ridership and participant spillover). The OEB is interested in vendors submitting proposals that respond to the Evaluation Contractor’s observations and recommendations in the 2021-2022 EMV Plan for a free ridership study approach that relies on a more real-time measurement scheme, with data collection undertaken as close to project installation as possible and considers multiple rounds of data collection within the same year. Vendors should consider the value of relying on self-reported survey responses from participants, as well as incorporating other inputs, including from experts (as part of an expert panel or Delphi Panel), market effects (as a proxy value or for consideration), randomized control trials and quasi-experimental studies and econometric modelling. In considering the various methodologies to undertake updated net-to-gross evaluations of Enbridge’s custom programs, vendors should discuss the value and various considerations, including cost, timing and benefits related to the proposed approach. Ultimately, the methodology selected will be informed from input from the OEB’s Evaluation Advisory Committee, that includes representatives from OEB staff, Enbridge and non-utility independent evaluation experts, as well as the OEB’s Evaluation Contractor. The OEB is interested in proposals that result in two separate free ridership rate updates, each of which that can be applied to verified gross savings for the year applicable to the focus of the free ridership study.

An impact evaluation of Enbridge's custom commercial, custom industrial and large volume programs from one recent program year (either 2022 or 2023). The impact evaluation should be similar in nature to past custom savings verification evaluations conducted by the OEB, including the 2017-2018 evaluation, 2016 evaluation, and 2015 evaluation. The OEB also recently completed a verification study of Enbridge's eTools energy modelling software used to estimate energy consumption after boiler efficiency upgrades undertaken as part of the custom commercial and industrial program. As part of its proposal, vendors should also consider how to respond to the OEB's Evaluation Contractor's recommendation in the 2021-2022 EM&V Plan, that future custom program evaluations implement a multi-year rolling sample methodology to determine verified gross savings realization rates for custom commercial, custom industrial and large volume programs.

Purpose and Objectives
The objective of the OEB's evaluation process is to produce independently verified natural gas DSM program results. Enbridge's custom commercial, industrial and large volume programs contribute a significant portion of natural gas savings to Enbridge's overall DSM plan. The final verified net custom program results will be used by the OEB to measure Enbridge's performance relative to OEB-approved targets. Enbridge Gas will use the final verified DSM program results as part of any application to the OEB for recovery of financial amounts, such as lost revenues and shareholder incentives. The results of this evaluation will also provide key information to the OEB, Enbridge, the OEB's DSM Stakeholder Advisory Group and other interested parties for consideration as part of future DSM plans and other related work, including policy development.

The purpose of this project is to provide quantitative findings that evaluate the free ridership and spillover levels, also known as net-to-gross values, of Enbridge's custom commercial, industrial and large volume programs for up to two recent program years. Additionally, the project will also result in quantitative findings that evaluate and verify the accuracy of Enbridge's reported gross natural gas savings from its custom commercial, industrial and large volume programs for one recent program year.

Full details of the RFP document is available only through MERX at www.merx.com or 1-800-964-6379, MERX reference number 0000243565.

Dates

Publication

2023/03/20 04:30:12 PM EDT

Bid Intent

Not Available

Question Acceptance Deadline

2023/03/30 12:00:00 AM EDT

Questions are submitted online

Closing DateA - Previous Amendment

2023/04/27 03:00:00 PM EDT

Contact Information

Catherine Torrese Benyi

416-440-7657

Catherine.Benyi@oeb.ca

Bid Submission Process

Bid Submission Type

Electronic Bid Submission

Envelope 1 - Technical Submission

Pricing

No pricing in this envelope

Bid Documents List

Item Name	Description	Mandatory	Limited to 1 file
Bid Documents	Documents defining the proposal	Yes	No
No entries

Additional Bidding Instructions

Bids shall be submitted on, and in accordance with, forms supplied by the OEB. All responses are to be submitted to the OEB through the use of MERX. Vendors shall be solely responsible for the delivery of their Bid in the manner and time prescribed.

Envelope 2 - Pricing Submission

Pricing

In attached document

Bid Documents List

Item Name	Description	Mandatory	Limited to 1 file
Bid Documents	Documents defining the proposal	Yes	No
No entries

Additional Bidding Instructions

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