HVAC Contractor Development Study
RFP Overview
The Brightline Group, on behalf of ComEd Customer Innovation, is seeking proposal submissions from qualified vendors to conduct a HVAC Contractor Development Study focused on expanding HVAC participation within ComEd’s C&I Energy Efficiency Service Providers (EESPs). This research will develop qualitative and quantitative insights regarding the readiness, barriers, business models, training needs, and market dynamics affecting HVAC measure delivery among contractors currently participating in ComEd’s C&I EESP network, with particular attention to those serving small and medium business customers. The study will also assess best practices from other jurisdictions, including California and select Northeast states, to identify actionable strategies for contractor recruitment, capability development, and long-term market transformation.
This research should address the following objectives:
- Assess the current composition, capabilities, and business models of contractors participating in ComEd’s network, with particular focus on those primarily delivering lighting measures.
- Identify barriers limiting HVAC measure participation among existing contractors, including technical expertise, capital requirements, workforce constraints, sales capabilities, permitting complexity, customer demand, and perceived program friction.
- Evaluate the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by contractors serving small and medium business customers compared to those serving midstream or larger commercial markets.
- Identify gaps in training, certification, financing access, and operational support that may limit contractors’ ability to deliver HVAC measures.
- Examine contractor development models implemented in jurisdictions with robust HVAC contractor networks, including workforce training programs, credentialing pathways, performance-based incentives, midstream strategies, and quality assurance frameworks.
- Assess recruitment opportunities for new HVAC-focused contractors not currently participating in ComEd’s network.
- Estimate the potential increase in HVAC participation and associated energy savings under alternative contractor development scenarios.
- Provide actionable recommendations for program design modifications, contractor support mechanisms, and phased implementation strategies to expand HVAC-focused contractor participation.
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Note: The BrightLine Group, E Source, and Swift Strategy team is the Administrator for the ComEd Customer Innovation initiative. BrightLine is the Prime contractor. As BrightLine’s subcontractor, E Source’s primary responsibility is subcontracting to organizations selected to run pilots. Accordingly, E Source, on behalf of BrightLine and ComEd, will hold the contract with the selected vendor. Terms and Conditions for subcontracts are provided by request.
Intent to Bid
If your organization is interested in bidding on this RFP, please email [email protected] by 11:59 pm CT on April 13, 2026, the following:
- Any questions about the RFP or process;
- Whether your organization wants its name released to other vendors to facilitate potential partnerships on this RFP; and
- Your organization’s intent to bid.
In the email subject line, please include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP. The deadline for submitting an intent to bid is April 13, 2026.
ComEd strongly encourages that interested vendors allow their organization’s name to be released to facilitate potential partnerships on this RFP. Please indicate in your intent to bid whether your organization is interested in having its name released by ComEd for potential partnership on the RFP.
RFP Submissions
Email your proposal to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. CT on April 27, 2026. In the email subject line, please include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP.
Submit your proposal by 11:59 p.m. CT on April 27, 2026 to [email protected]
Please be sure to include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP in the subject line of your email.
RFP Schedule
| RFP issued by BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd | April 6, 2026 |
| Intent to bid due | 11:59 pm CT on April 13, 2026 |
| Deadline to submit questions | 11:59 pm CT on April 13, 2026 |
| Deadline to indicate interest in having the organization name released by ComEd for a potential partnership on the RFP | 11:59 pm CT on April 13, 2026 |
| BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd, releases names of vendors interested in potential partnership on RFP | 11:59 pm CT on April 15, 2026 |
| BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd, posts responses to questions | 11:59 pm CT on April 20, 2026 |
| RFP submissions deadline | 11:59 pm CT on April 27, 2026 |
| Respondents will be notified of the next steps after ComEd and the Customer Innovation Admin Team have reviewed submissions | Week of May 18, 2026 |