Request for Qualifications: Dynamic Rates System Architecture Technical Advisory Board

The California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE), in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission, is issuing a Request for Qualifications for the Dynamic Rates System Architecture Technical Advisory Board: Technical Advisor.

Background:

The 2022 Energy Division (ED) white paper and staff proposal titled “Advanced Strategies for Demand Flexibility Management and Customer DER Compensation” launched an ambitious vision for dynamic rates in California. This conceptual design laid the foundation for the Commission’s demand flexibility rulemaking (R.22-07-005), which emphasized universal access to dynamic prices, marginal-cost-reflective rate structures, and scalable integration of customer DERs.

Now, the Commission’s focus is shifting from theoretical design of marginal-cost-based rates to implementable architecture. Rulemaking 25-09-004 (see link below) to enhance demand response in California is developing the appropriate data systems and processes for the purposes of:

Making available accurate, reliable, and timely data critical to the effectiveness of demand response.
Evaluating performance and verifiable value of demand response resources.
Developing the system architecture to enable the implementation of dynamic rates.

The California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) is looking to identify and recommend for CPUC ED selection Technical Advisors to conduct research and/or provide expertise in support of ED staff in the new Demand Response rulemaking proceeding activities.

The selected Technical Advisors will assist the State with the following activities:

Serve as a Technical Advisor to review draft reports, research briefs, staff or party proposals, and policy documents, and provide written and/or verbal feedback.
- Provide subject matter expertise and insight on key technical issues.
- Advise on feasibility, risks, and potential impact of proposed issues.
- Identify gaps in research, analysis, or framing and recommend enhancements.
- Provide relevant data sources, industry standards, or best practices as needed.
- Participate in scheduled advisory meetings (virtual or in-person, as applicable).
Conduct background research and/or provide expert advice on issues identified within the scope of the proceeding. Be available for ad hoc consultation via email or phone within agreed-upon response times.
Observe and protect confidential deliberative privileges associated with the material being reviewed and discussed.

Eligibility:

Respondents cannot be employed by any of the three major Investor-Owned Utilities (Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric), or be a party (see link below) to Rulemaking 25-09-004. Respondents will be required to provide disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and provide certification regarding potential conflicts of interest. Potential conflicts of interest may not be disqualifying, but mitigation requirements (if needed) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, execution of a confidentiality agreement is a requirement for eligibility.

The Technical Advisor shall be independent and shall not have the appearance of an economic conflict of interest that may restrict the ability of the person to provide the services outlined in this Scope of Work. The person must not be subject to the one-year or permanent ban on providing such services outlined in this scope of work, pursuant to the Political Reform Act, California Government Code Sections 87400-87410 (see link below).

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Degreed professional with familiarity of any subset of the issues described below.
Extensive working experience with any of the following:
- Utility billing systems/infrastructure.
- Common and/or evolving communication protocols for utility pricing or distributed energy resource (DER) functional controls.
- Cybersecurity standards/best practices relevant to electric distribution system and DERs.
  IT, data, and system architecture expertise with a focus on utility data.
- Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for data access (confidential and public).
- Modular system architecture design, testing and implementation.

Desired Qualifications:

Strong research and analytical experience.
Relevant experience designing, building, and implementing data systems.
Understanding of California electrical system regulatory and/or market dynamics.
Knowledge of residential, commercial, and industrial energy management systems and load-responsive device technical capabilities.
Experience with CPUC communication protocols for Rule 21 interconnections, smart inverters, and EVSEs. Familiarity with OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5, OCPP, and Matter.

Required information for consideration:

Curricula Vitae (CV) not-to-exceed 3-pages in length.
Brief 1-page statement of interest and relevant experience.
Proposed hourly rate for services.
Anticipated month-to-month availability to potentially serve on panels through the end of calendar year 2026.
Completed State Contractor/Individual Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Certification form.
Find the forms at the links below and complete the form(s) relevant to your employment status as described below. Additional guidance is provided per the “RFQ – Conflict of Interest Disclosures – Reference Guide,” available on the website (see link below).
- For individuals working as self-employed advisors, the Contractor form must be completed.
- For companies/organizations providing services, the Contractor form is for the company/organization to complete, and the individual employee would need to complete the Individual form.

Instructions for Submission of RFQ Response:

RFQ Response must be submitted via email as a single PDF file to DRSA-TA@berkeley.edu.

Terms of the Solicitation:

No closing date: CIEE will maintain this solicitation in an open status indefinitely. Should CIEE determine a need to close this solicitation, CIEE will update this solicitation notice to provide advance public notification.
Amendment to Solicitation: CIEE may amend the solicitation in response to expanded and/or evolving needs of the Technical Advisor role as determined in partnership with the CPUC. CIEE will update the solicitation website to provide public notification accordingly.
Processing time: Contracts will be made on a rolling basis. There is no fixed timeline for the contract; timelines will vary based on the number of responses accepted and approved by CIEE, in partnership with the CPUC, and the number of Technical Advisors deemed necessary to meet the State’s needs. Responses will generally be evaluated in the order they are received, subject to resource availability.
Required documents ONLY IF selected for contract issuance:
- Completed UC Berkeley Conflict of Interest form [ONLY if applicable] (see link below).
- Supplier Proposal dated on supplier letterhead [further details to be provided]
- Evidence of Insurance: Supplier to provide a Certificate of Insurance with required minimum levels of coverage (see link below) naming “The Regents of the University of California” as additional insured.