Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training

Description of goods to services to be bid:

May 18, 2023 PON 3981 was revised with the following changes:

1. Updated total available funding amount to $10 million with a maximum of $1 million per project to facilitate training at scale.
2. Clarified that training initiatives funded by NYSERDA are intended to build or expand New York State training infrastructure and capacity and benefit New York State residents.
3. Expanded funding eligibility to include training that prepares workforce for expansion or entry into jobs focused on eligible clean energy technologies.
4. Changed “Electric vehicle maintenance and charging station installation” to “electric vehicle charging station installation and maintenance” as an eligible technology area.
5. Revised the System Benefits Charge/Clean Energy Fund (SBC/CEF) requirement to allow funding for training in non-SBC/CEF territory provided certain conditions are met.
6. Added language sharing insight into average training costs for Category 1 and Category 2 training projects, including stipends for individuals from Disadvantaged Communities and Priority Populations.
7. Expanded list of non-eligible training initiatives to include training needs assessments and skills gap analyses.
8. Clarified that reasonable and justified out-of-state travel for subject matter experts will not be funded by NYSERDA but may be used as a cost share element.
9. Updated evaluation criteria as well as Attachment A – Proposal Cover Page to reflect changes made to the PON.

January 26, 2023:  

PON 3981 was revised with the following changes:

Deleted information about an old informational webinar.

Updated available funding amount.

Added new deadlines for Full Proposal submission (by invitation only):

Round 22 - January 17, 2024

Round 23 – March 18, 2024

Round 24 – May 17, 2024

Round 25 – July 17, 2024
Round 26 – September 18, 2024
Round 27 – November 18, 2024
Round 28 – January 17, 2025
Round 29 – March 19, 2025
Round 30 – May 16, 2025
Round 31 – July 16, 2025
Round 32 – September 17, 2025
Round 33 – November 18, 2025

Extended deadline for Concept Paper submission (required) to September 17, 2025.

August 10, 2022:

PON 3981 was revised with the following changes:

• Revised PON to include a 2-step application process consisting of a Concept Paper (required) followed by a Full Proposal (by invitation only).
• Updated funding due dates with submission dates for Full Proposals.
• Updated available funding amount and PON 3981 contact information.
• Added information on informational webinar to be held to review the Program Opportunity Notice.
• Updated introduction and available workforce development funding amount.
• Clarified training initiatives eligible for NYSERDA funding.
• Added provision for reduced cost share for qualifying union-led training and pre-apprenticeship projects (reduced to 10 percent) and defined qualifying union training projects as projects that:
o integrate clean energy training into existing New York State registered apprenticeship program(s) or journeyworker training,
o develop a new clean energy apprenticeship program registered with the New York State Department of Labor, or
o are direct entry pre-apprenticeship workforce training programs recognized by the New York State Department of Labor that incorporate clean energy content.
• Clarified requirements for Category 1 and Category 2 training projects.
• Streamlined funding and cost share requirements.
• Added description of NYSERDA’s Pay for Success Clean Energy Training initiative funded by the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA).
• Deleted invoicing requirements and updated reporting requirements.
• Clarified that, in cases where training providers conduct training in a non-SBC/CEF location and need to provide documentation that their project meets program requirements, that this evidence can be provided over the course of the project period.
• Described new 2-step application process.
• Added requirements for Concept Paper, including a new Attachment A – Concept Paper.
• Updated proposal requirements to outline requirements for Concept Papers as well as Full Proposals; revised required attachments.
• Replaced the requirement for a full Statement of Work document with a requirement for a project Scope write-up to be submitted at the Full Proposal stage.
• Clarified that projected number of trainees is the number of individuals expected to complete training.
• Described process and timing for Concept Paper and Full Proposal evaluation.
• Added evaluation criteria for Concept Paper and refined evaluation criteria for Full Proposal.
• Added preference for projects that have the capacity to provide training at scale, at multiple training locations across the state, and/or to a substantial trainee audience.
• Added threshold score of 70 points out of 100 for Full Proposals to advance to contract negotiations.
• Deleted “Section 7 Resources,” as resources are available on NYSERDA’s website.
• Added sections related to Due Diligence policies and New York State Executive Order 16 compliance

January 6, 2022: The following revisions have been made to PON 3981:

• Added link to NYSERDA Partner Connector website.

• Revised eligible technology areas to include high-efficiency HVAC and heat pumps for category 2 career pathway training projects for new workers/new entrants to clean energy.
• Expanded average project duration to include 12-month outcome monitoring period for new workers.
• Updated proposal requirements for category 2 career pathway projects.
• Clarified cost share and budget form requirements.
• Revised list of required proposal attachments.
• Expanded the list of NYSERDA’s program policy factors.
• Updated list of available resources.

July 26, 2021: The following revision has been made to PON 3981:

Rounds:
• Extended Round 12 due date from September 2, 2021, to October 13, 2021.
• Revised due dates for rounds 13 and 14; added new due date for Round 15 on January 18, 2023.

Section 2: Requirements
• Expanded eligibility requirements, including for training providers and technology areas.
• Specified that training initiatives must serve and benefit New York State residents.
• Linked definitions of Disadvantaged Communities and Priority Populations to NYSERDA website.
• Clarified requirements for cost share and NYSERDA funding eligibility.
• Expanded definition of Category 1 projects to include training for students in formal training programs (e.g., technical high schools, higher education institutions, industry associations, or union training programs).
• Added advanced formal training as an option for Category 2 placement requirements.
• Increased NYSERDA funding cap to $500,000 for all training projects.

Section 3: Proposal Requirements
• Merged Attachment B (Proposal Response) with Attachment A (Proposal Response).
• Revised and separated out Sample Statement of Work (Attachment B) from Sample Agreement.

Section 4: Proposal Evaluation
• Revised scoring committee criteria.

Section 6: Attachments
• Revised order of attachments.

Section 7: Resources
• Updated list of resources.

January 22, 2022: The following revision has been made to PON 3981:

Section 1: Overview
• Revised dates for rounds 11 through 14

Round 11 – May 3, 2021; Round 12 – September 2, 2021; Round 13 – January 10, 2022; Round 14 – May 4, 2022.

• Added $4 million in funding dedicated to training for building electrification

Section 2: Requirements
• Added options for submitting evidence to meet SBC/CEF requirement
• Revised eligibility requirements, including for training providers and technology areas.

• Increased funding amount for marketing and outreach to 10% of NYSERDA funding.

• Created two training categories: (1) EE&CT Training for Incumbent Workers; (2) EE&CT Career Pathways for New Workers. Applicants may apply under one or both categories.
• Increased maximum project funding from $250,000 to $350,000 for Category 1 projects, and $450,000 for Category 2 projects.
o Added 5% retainage to ensure training outcomes after project completion
o Reduced cost share requirement to 10% for Category 2 projects exclusively serving individuals from Disadvantaged Communities and/or Priority Populations
o Expanded definition of applicant cost share
• Added new reporting, tracking, and invoicing requirements

Section 3: Proposal Requirements
• Created new application process to include six new Attachments, A through F

Section 4: Proposal Evaluation
• Created new scoring rubric based on revisions
• Added new program policy factors

Section 7: Resources
• Added list of publications and references to support Proposal Response

The following changes have been made to PON 3981:

1. Added the following rounds: • Round 11, April 6, 2021; Round 12, July 6, 2021; Round 13, October 18, 2021; Round 14, January 18, 2022

2. Project Manager Change

Through this Program Opportunity Notice (PON), NYSERDA will provide funding to training providers across the State to ensure that New York energy efficiency and clean technology businesses have an adequate supply of new and existing workers with the necessary occupational skills, credentials and experience to participate in the clean energy economy.

Projects funded through this PON are intended to develop and/or deliver training, hands-on experience and job placement assistance to ensure that new and existing workers that have the skills that businesses need, and to reduce the risk and expense associated with recruiting, onboarding, training, and retaining workers. Projects will also assist workers by reducing employment barriers and creating pathways to family-sustaining jobs. Preference will be given to projects that provide training and job placement services to priority populations.

If changes are made to this solicitation notification will be posted on NYSERDA’s website at:
www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding-opportunities

Eligibility/Qualifications Requirements/Preferences

Training providers submitting proposals, or Applicants, must provide evidence of appropriate qualifications including, but not limited to:

• Experience in integrating new material into existing curricula and/or developing new stand-alone curricula approved by the New York State Department of Education for use at post-secondary education levels.
• Accreditation by the NYS Education Department and/or training program accreditation by IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council), the Building Performance Institute (BPI), or other similar national, third-party entities.
• Staff with documented experience in curricula development, delivery and maintenance, and evidence-based learning techniques.
• Experience with or a strategy for engaging business and industry partners and professional organizations in training initiatives.
• Experience with designing and/or implementing training that leads to additional training as part of a career path, certification, degree, continuing education credits, job experience or job placement.
• Credentialed and experienced staff.