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Energy Savings Performance Contracts

ESPC Quick Facts

  • More than 460 ESPC projects have been awarded by 19 different Federal agencies in 47 states.
  • Approximately $2.3 billion has been invested in Federal facilities through ESPCs, saving more than 18 trillion Btu annually—equivalent to the energy used by a city of more than 500,000 people.
  • Energy cost savings of $7.1 billion for the Federal Government ($5.7 billion goes to finance project investments). Net savings to the Federal government is $1.4 billion.

Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) allow Federal agencies to accomplish energy savings projects without up-front capital costs and without special Congressional appropriations.

An ESPC is a partnership between a Federal agency and an energy service company (ESCO). The ESCO conducts a comprehensive energy audit for the Federal facility and identifies improvements to save energy. In consultation with the Federal agency, the ESCO designs and constructs a project that meets the agency's needs and arranges the necessary financing. The ESCO guarantees that the improvements will generate energy cost savings sufficient to pay for the project over the term of the contract. After the contract ends, all additional cost savings accrue to the agency. Contract terms up to 25 years are allowed.

Department of Energy ESPCs

Department of Energy (DOE) energy savings performance contracts are indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts designed to make ESPCs as practical and cost-effective as possible for Federal agencies. The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded these "umbrella" contracts to ESCOs based on their ability to meet terms and conditions established in IDIQ contracts. DOE ESPCs can be used for any Federally-owned facility worldwide.

Benefits

DOE energy savings performance contracts help Federal agencies meet energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and emissions reduction goals by streamlining contract funding for energy management projects. The streamlined financing provides multiple benefits, including:

  • Increased quality and value through:
    • Access to private-sector expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and reduced emissions
    • Built-in incentives for ESCOs to provide high-quality equipment, timely services, and thorough project commissioning
    • Infrastructure improvements to enhance mission support
    • Healthier, safer working and living environments
  • Flexible, practical contract and procurement processes to ensures your project, your way
  • Expert, objective technical support through FEMP assistance, including:
    • FEMP-provided legal and financing guidance, project facilitators, advanced technology experts, and training for Federal agencies
  • Smart project management that:
    • Ensures building efficiency improvements and new equipment without upfront capital costs
    • Finances energy improvements without relying on special Congressional appropriations
    • Guarantees energy and related operation and maintenance cost savings
    • Enhances the ability to plan and budget energy, operation, and maintenance accounts
    • Minimizes vulnerability to budget impacts due to volatile energy prices, weather, and equipment failure

Getting Started

Federal agencies new to the energy savings performance contract process are encouraged to review FEMP's ESPC – Just the Facts (PDF 579 KB) resource and to call a FEMP financing specialist for assistance. Download Adobe Reader.

A DOE ESPC FAQ (PDF 120 KB) is also available for information on the latest DOE IDIQ ESPC awards.

Additional resources are outlined in this section to help Federal agencies of all familiarity levels evaluate and implement ESPC projects:

Agency-ESCO Forum

The Agency-ESCO Forum, held March 11-13, 2009, provided an opportunity for agencies to learn about the new ESPC contract and to meet with the newly-selected ESCOs. The first day of the Forum was for agencies only; the second day for agencies and ESCOs; and the third day for ESCOs only.

The following presentations from the Agency-ESCO Forum are available:

  • Introduction to the New IDIQ - Highlights and Major Changes: Joyce Ziesler (PDF 1 MB)
  • Developing a Project - The Overall Process: Tom Hattery (PDF 365 KB)
  • The Preliminary Assessment: Gordan Drawer (PDF 488 KB)
  • The Investment Grade Audit: Scott Wolf (PDF 386 KB)
  • The Final Proposal: Doug Culbreth (PDF 540 KB)
  • Construction, Inspection, and Acceptance: Phil Coleman (PDF 191 KB)
  • Measurement, Verification, and Reporting: Charlie Williams (PDF 248 KB)
  • Post Acceptance Performance Period: John Shonder (PDF 275 KB)
  • Updated Documents, Web Changes, and Training Resources: Tatiana Straijnic (PDF 120 KB)