Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1) Planning, Strategy Development and Analysis - Assimilate industry knowledge, emerging Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebate implementation approaches, and Minnesota structure (government structure, data systems, utility structures, community-based organization networks, housing stock, climate factors, and existing efficiency and electrification programs) to design program for maximum impact. a) Stakeholder Engagement i) Utilize vendor expertise to refine stakeholder engagement plan. ii) Conduct and facilitate stakeholder engagement activities including, but not limited to, the following: online public input session(s); topic-focused stakeholder discussion and feedback meetings; interagency strategy and feedback sessions; public online comment form. iii) Interview Department staff implementing or overseeing related existing and emerging programs, as well as Divisional leadership to ensure program design supports the Department’s strategic vision and most effectively utilizes taxpayer dollars. iv) Manage stipend payments to select stakeholders and consumers for participation in select engagement activities. Stipends are for individuals for which participating in stakeholder engagement activities represents a burden, but whose input will be critical to ensure the program’s success in reaching hard to reach homeowners, contributing to Justice40 goals, and developing a diverse and skilled workforce. The Department is creating a protocol by which to issue stipends. b) Strategic Program Design i) Program design must be coordinated with the Department’s energy programs and initiatives, aligning multiple activities to ensure maximum benefit to Minnesotans in an equitable manner. It must also Support Minnesota’s energy goals as outlined in MN Statute, Executive Orders and through the Climate Action Framework. ii) Assess Minnesota’s current structure to inform program design direction. iii) Develop options for integrating rebates with existing federal, state, utility and community-based programs. iv) Make recommendations for integration with existing systems and processes at the Department (e.g., application systems, rebate processing systems and information systems). v) Conduct scenario planning to assess potential implementation pathways. vi) Create plan for key implementation components. vii) Create strategy specific to achieve success for low-income multifamily units. viii) Deliver presentation of the proposed designs to Department staff and leadership to gain approval prior to application development. c) Workforce Planning i) Assess workforce gaps as it relates to implementing the program in Minnesota. ii) Develop strategy for recruiting and filling gaps. iii) Assess the impact of sequencing different target audiences and geographies on workforce to better understand workforce training and scaling needs. d) Develop Implementation Processes i) Advise on which major implementation components are candidates for being performed inhouse versus by third-party vendors. ii) Suggest strategies for third-party program implementation; estimate effort and budget. iii) Create RFPs for third-party vendors and scoring/evaluation criteria. 2) Application Support - Lead the writing of required application components while adhering to application requirements. 3) Reporting and Invoicing a) Update the Department weekly on the status of work and project developments. b) Submit monthly invoices with supporting documentation and a brief narrative of the tasks performed and budget remaining.
