Code of Maine Rules › 95 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES › 648 - EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST › Chapter 1 - CONTRACTING PROCESS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND GRANT RECIPIENTS › Section 648-1-1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Scope of Rule.
This rule establishes the procedures governing the
				selection of service providers for energy efficiency and alternative energy
				programs administered by the Efficiency Maine Trust and the selection of grant
				recipients to receive funds administered by the Trust for energy efficiency and
				alternative energy projects.
B.
Definitions
1.
Aggrieved
				person.
"Aggrieved person" means any person who bids in response to an
				RFP, RFQ or PON and who is adversely affected by the contract award decision
				made pursuant to the RFP, RFQ or PON.
2.
Bid.
"Bid" means a response
				to an RFP, RFQ or PON.
3.
Bidder.
"Bidder" means a person or entity that submits a
				bid.
4.
Contract
				Administrator.
"Contract Administrator" means the employee of the
				Efficiency Maine Trust designated to administer contracts between the
				Efficiency Maine Trust and service providers, grant recipients and other
				vendors and consultants.
5.
Program.
"Program" means an energy efficiency or alternative
				energy program developed or administered by the Efficiency Maine Trust pursuant
				to 35-A M.R.S.A. Chapter 97 or Chapter 99 or other applicable law.
6.
Program
Opportunity
Notice.
"Program Opportunity
				Notice" means a document identifying the area or market sector of interest and
				the energy efficiency or alternative energy goals sought to be achieved. The
				document will solicit proposals on how the identified goals can be achieved. As
				a result of the Program Opportunity Notice, the Efficiency Maine Trust may
				choose one or more bidders to work on one or more programs or projects. This
				document is also known by the initials "PON."
7.
Project.
"Project" means an
				energy efficiency or alternative energy project that is funded in part or in
				whole by a grant from the Efficiency Maine Trust.
8.
Proposal.
"Proposal" has the
				same meaning herein as the term "bid."
9.
Request for Proposal.
"Request for Proposal" means a document inviting proposals for and listing the
				scope of work being requested, other requirements of the Efficiency Maine
				Trust, and the technical evaluation criteria and cost evaluation criteria for
				selection of the winning bidder. The document is also known by the initials
				"RFP."
10.
Request for
				Qualifications.
"Request for Qualifications" means a document listing
				the scope of work for the being requested, other requirements of the Efficiency
				Maine Trust, and the technical evaluation criteria for selection of the winning
				bidder. The document normally requires only a technical response. The Trust may
				select one or more bidders in response to a Request for Qualifications and then
				request cost proposals from or negotiate the cost terms of agreement with the
				qualified bidder(s). The document is also known by the initials
				"RFQ."
11.
Service
				Provider.
"Service provider" means a public or private provider of
				energy efficiency or alternative energy services or an entity selected by the
				Trust to contract with such providers or otherwise arrange the delivery of
				programs. "Service provider" also includes entities that indirectly deliver
				energy efficiency or alternative energy services to customers, such as entities
				that process and pay coupons, and entities that provide assistance in
				performing program evaluations and other services required by the Trust to
				fulfill its duties under 35-A M.R.S.A. Chapter 97 and Chapter 99 and other
				applicable law.
12.
Trust.
"Trust" means the Efficiency Maine Trust established in 35-A M.R.S.A.
				§10103.