DOER PON-ENE-2026-016 Transforming Energy in Schools Initiative Program Opportunity Notice 10.03.25

The Transforming Energy in Schools Initiative (TESI) is a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources program designed to fund the decarbonization and electrification of school buildings serving predominantly low-income communities across the state. With approximately 57 million dollars available statewide and up to 11.4 million dollars allocated per school, the initiative aims to support projects that achieve at least a 60% reduction in fossil fuel use through energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, and resiliency measures. Eligible applicants include school districts, municipalities, or individual schools that serve at least 40% low-income students, have completed recent comprehensive building assessments, and maintain active electric accounts with participating utilities. The program emphasizes equitable access, greenhouse gas reductions, workforce development, and the creation of replicable models for healthy, resilient schools. Funding can be used for gap funding, direct project costs excluding building shell improvements, and community engagement efforts, with projects required to be completed by September 30, 2028. The application process involves submitting detailed proposals via the COMMBUYS portal by December 5, 2025, with subsequent review and scoring based on criteria such as low-income student percentage, project decarbonization and renewable energy components, community engagement, and project scope, including thermal envelope and resiliency measures. The evaluation emphasizes technical merit, equity considerations, and project feasibility, with award decisions made through a trade-off process that considers both scoring and geographic or project diversity. Projects must include comprehensive building assessments, demonstrate energy performance improvements, and adhere to program-specific requirements such as HVAC system upgrades, commissioning, and post-project energy data sharing. While specific contract clauses, standard FAR provisions, and detailed performance schedules are not explicitly outlined, the program mandates compliance with eligibility, project scope, and reporting conditions, with oversight conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to ensure project success and alignment with climate and community goals.