2013 Advanced Power Strip Initiative Negotiated Cooperative Promotion for Efficiency Vermont. Request for Proposals

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1 2013 Advanced Power Strip Initiative Negotiated Cooperative Promotion for Efficiency Vermont Request for Proposals Dated: October 16, 2012 PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED BY November 2, :00 PM EDT Attachments: Request for Promotional Support Workbook (Excel spreadsheet)

2 Introduction Efficiency Vermont, Vermont s statewide provider of energy-efficiency services, wishes to promote the sale of advanced, electric energy-saving power strips through retail outlets such as hardware, grocery and drug stores across the state and in targeted communities as an addition to our portfolio of promotions for energy-saving products and services. Efficiency Vermont requests proposals for Negotiated Cooperative Promotions (NCPs) from Advanced Power Strip (APS) Manufacturers. The proposals should detail comprehensive promotional plans that maximize cost-effective energy (kilowatt-hour) savings to Efficiency Vermont s customers with a focus on increasing the sales and awareness of the wide variety of quality efficient APS. Goals and Objectives The goal of the Efficiency Vermont 2013 Advanced Power Strip Initiative is to have an allocation of qualified APS available for APS Negotiated Cooperative Promotions at Vermont retailers. Proposal and Promotion Requirements Eligible Products The APS eligible for this promotion must meet the following criteria: UL Listed Warranty of at least one (1) year. Protection guarantee of $1, Strip wattage that uses 1 watt or less in stand-alone mode. 120 V, 15 amp service. Resettable circuit breaker. Control Outlet and sensing Circuit. Adjustable Switching Threshold. Two options: One coaxial surge protection model and one non-coaxial model. APS that use more than 1.5 watts, utilize manually switched outlets either remotely or directly on the power strip, and motion sensor or timer controls are not eligible for this promotion. Bidders are invited to propose a single model, or multiple models of qualifying products that meet the Efficiency Vermont Advanced Power Strip Initiative eligibility criteria as stated above.

3 Payment and Incentive Information Efficiency Vermont will accept proposals with an incentive amount up to $10.00 per APS, and preference will be given to manufacturers that can provide a matching incentive. Respondents will apply for a Buydown by proposing maximum quantities of each product for consideration and the amount of reimbursement requested for each product (see Incentive Schedule below for guidelines). A maximum of 75% of a promotion s requested Efficiency Vermont incentive will be paid based on submission of store level shipping and receiving documentation per shipment by the retailer or manufacturer dependent upon who agrees to submit for reimbursement. The remaining 25% of Efficiency Vermont incentive funds will be provided upon submission of agreed-upon store level documentation of retail sales, based on the sample sales data reports provided with the proposal. The final 25% of incentive funds will be paid to the retailer or manufacturer only after they have submitted documented product sales for 75% or more of the eligible incentives based on the total product ordered during the promotional period. Product Quantity Efficiency Vermont estimates that 3,000 APS will be required for the 2013 Advanced Power Strip Initiative. The actual number of APS may be and is encouraged to be greater, depending upon the success of the initiative. Promotion Duration The promotion will run January 1, 2013 and through December 31, Manufacturers will be expected to be able to supply the APS immediately to retailers. Selection Criteria Selection and funding of any submitted proposal will be based on: Product Qualification: Proposals will be reviewed only if they contain products that meet all of the eligibility requirements. Product quality: Preference will be given to products where product and manufacturer s quality and performance have been documented through independent, third-party testing. Cost effectiveness: Bidders may propose incentive levels up to $10.00 per APS, however special consideration will be given to proposals requesting lower Efficiency Vermont incentives per unit and bidders willing to provide a matching incentive.

4 Product efficiency: Bidder must include the in-use and standby power usage of their APS. Preference will be given to those APS that use the least amount of energy. Please Note: Selection of products and suppliers will be considered, but final selection will not be based solely on price, nor the minimum eligibility requirements and selection considerations listed above. Efficiency Vermont reserves the right to select or reject any proposed products, for any reason, including results of independent, third-party testing. Manufacturers may offer replacement products; however, Efficiency Vermont is under no obligation to accept these replacements. Marketing Manufacturers/retailers are required to include one or more promotional elements in their proposals. Marketing Requirements: Marketing support must include Point of Purchase (POP) materials that reinforce Initiative brand recognition in the marketplace and help to educate customers that the promotion is made possible through the support of Efficiency Vermont. All Creative Materials (POP, advertising, collateral) must be submitted to Efficiency Vermont s designated Main Contact for approval at least five (5) business days prior to printing or production. Advertising and POP materials must feature Efficiency Vermont logos and Initiative messaging. Partners should check with the Main Contact for the most up-to-date templates and standards. Approved POP materials must be displayed during the entire promotion timeframe. Preference will be given to proposals that include strong manufacturer promotional marketing support. In addition, partners are encouraged to use Efficiency Vermont Account Manager resources for training on-site staff on promotions and technologies. Environmental Credits In accepting these financial incentives, the retailer agrees that Efficiency Vermont holds the sole rights to any electric system capacity credits and / or environmental credits associated with the energy efficiency measures for which incentives have been received. These credits will be used for the benefit of Vermont ratepayers.

5 Promotion Logistics Manufacturer will provide Sponsor with the data described in the attached Excel worksheet, including: Product specs, wholesale price of product to the retailer, requested incentive from Efficiency Vermont and proposed target retail price to the customer. Sponsor will present the available products and pricing to interested retailers. Sponsor will develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the retailer, manufacturer and Efficiency Vermont for the advanced power strip promotion, to be executed by the same. Per the MOU, Efficiency Vermont incentives will be paid directly to the Retailer. Seventy five percent (75%) of the promotion s Efficiency Vermont incentive will be paid upon the submission of shipping data to the Fulfillment Contractor, and the remaining twenty five percent (25%) of the promotion s Efficiency Vermont incentive will be paid upon the submission of sales reports to the Fulfillment Contractor. Please note: Once product models, packaging, and quantities are established and agreed upon, they cannot be changed without prior written approval from Efficiency Vermont. Preparing a Proposal Proposals must include a completed Request for Promotional Support Workbook (see attached MS Excel file). Incomplete Workbooks will not be considered. Bidders must agree to the following statement: In submitting a proposal, I understand that approval of my proposal is contingent upon my complying with the RFP requirements, and that incentive funding is available only upon written confirmation from Efficiency Vermont. I further understand that incentives per product cannot exceed the wholesale purchase prices. I understand that ACTUAL incentive amounts will be based on compliance with the written agreement with Efficiency Vermont, and my performance in this promotion, and are not guaranteed. I accept that Efficiency Vermont reserves the right to reallocate or deny funding of promotions it deems to be non-performing. Submission Deadline and Requirements 1. The deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, November 2, :00 PM EST. Completed proposals must include: a) All sample documentation (i.e. store-level shipping/receiving and/or sales data reports) pertinent to the promotion proposed. b) Delivery information (how product will be delivered to retail partners). c) Product availability (expected delay between order placement and order delivery).

6 d) Completed Marketing Plan for Negotiated Cooperative Promotions, including any special event details and proposed POP samples or other marketing materials. e) Completed Request for Promotional Support Workbook. 2. Please or send your proposal by mail (including an electronic copy) to: Laura Zeppieri Efficiency Vermont 128 Lakeside Ave, Suite 401 Burlington, VT (802) Fax: (802) Materials must be received by Friday, November 2, 2012, 5:00 PM EST. Questions regarding this RFP, developing a negotiated cooperative promotion proposal, or other aspects of the Vermont Advanced Power Strip Initiative should be directed to Laura Zeppieri at lzeppieri@veic.org by October 26, Please note: Efficiency Vermont retains the right to reject any and all submitted proposals. Efficiency Vermont may also refine any selected proposal through subsequent discussions and negotiation with the proposing party.