National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393

D -- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES -- POTENTIAL SOURCES SOUGHT SOL DW-140 DUE 040398 POC Deborah J. Bullard, Subcontract Administrator, 303-384-6876 WEB: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/. E-MAIL: Contracts and Business Services, bullardd@nrel.gov. POTENTIAL SOURCES SOUGHT -- "OPERATION OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENGY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY CLEARINGHOUSE (EREC)" 1.0 BACKGROUND. A) NREL's mission is to lead the nation toward a sustainable energy future by developing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency, advancing related science and engineering, and facilitating commercialization. B) NREL conducts research in the following technology areas: Automotive Technologies, Information Services, Analytic Studies, Municipal Solid Waste, Basic Research, Photovoltaics, Biofuels, Resource Assessment, Biomass Power, Solar Thermal Electricity, Buildings, Solar Thermal Industrial, Federal Energy Management Program ("FEMP"), Superconductivity, Fuels Use, Geothermal, Waste Conversion/Use, Hydrogen, Waste Management, Industrial Processes, Wind Energy. C) In support of NREL's mission, the NREL Technical Information Office ("TIO") produces outreach materials, such as fact sheets, brochures, videos, and CD-ROMs. Topics include the above areas of research as well as other topics related to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies ("EE/RE"). C) The NREL Technical Information Office also manages the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse ("EREC"). This Clearinghouse maintains a toll-free 800 number, and is the initial point of contact for the general public on EE/RE. The audiences served by the Clearinghouse include people from virtually every sector of society: homeowners; students; educators; contractors; builders; engineers and other technical specialists; local, state, and federal government agencies; private business and industry; utilities; and the media. EREC answers inquiries on a multitude of renewable energy technologies including, but not limited to, active and passive solar water and space heating, passive solar cooling, photovoltaic systems, small-scale hydroelectric systems, wind energy systems, biomass and municipal waste-to-energy conversion, solar thermal electric power, geothermal and ocean energy, electric vehicles, alcohol and alternative fuels, wood heating, and hydrogen energy and its applications. Topics related to energy efficiency include insulation, lighting, window, appliances, weatherization materials and techniques, heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, moisture control, housing design and construction, and cogeneration. E) Inquiries to EREC range from simple requests for information to complex technical queries. EREC not only distributes prepared materials, including NREL and EREC publications, but also provides tailored technical and business responses or referrals to energy organizations. F) In addition to the 800 number, the Clearinghouse also responds to inquiries from Internet electronic mail, a post office box, fax machine, a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf ("TDD") line, and walk-in visits. All information from EREC is provided to the public free of charge. G) EREC began operations on January 1, 1994. For the first fiscal year (Jan-Oct 1994), EREC responded to 42,987 inquiries. Fiscal Year ("FY") 95 saw a response tally of 59,084; FY 96 totalled 83,251 nquiries; and FY 97 saw EREC responding to 110,988 requests for information and assistance. This represents a 158% increase in only four years. However, because of budget cuts in FY 98, NREL was forced to cut EREC's participation in conferences and other outreach activities, which NREL anticipates will reduce inquiries for FY 98 to approximately 40,000 to 50,000. H) EREC (through NREL) has, to date, produced 21 publications with topics ranging from student-oriented overviews of energy to more technical topics on photovoltaics and wind energy systems. I) Closely aligned with EREC is the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Energy Network ("EREN"), which is the Web site on EE/RE, found at htt://www.eren.doe.gov, managed by NREL. EREN contains among other things, an "Ask and Energy Expert" form. Questions submitted using this on-line form are forwarded to EREC for response. EREN also contains many of the documents and reference briefs used by EREC to respond to inquiries. These documents can be viewed on EREN at (http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/). 2.0 PURPOSE. The idea behind an EE/RE public information distribution point dates back more than 20 years. In 1976, DOE and HUD established the forerunner of EREC. Over the years, the service has changed names and locations, but the mission has remained the same: to provide energy efficiency and renewable energy information and technical assistance to the public at all levels, from consumers and educators, to engineers, to state energy offices. 3.0 OBJECTIVE. The broad objective of the work to be performed is to operate a national EE/RE clearinghouse, including a toll-free hotline, which is responsive to the needs of the public. 4.0 SCOPE. A) In support of the above objective, NREL requires the services of the Subcontractor to operate EREC effective January 1, 1999. The Subcontractor shall furnish the necessary qualified personnel, equipment, materials, facilities and travel required to implement, operate, and maintain EREC. B) The scope of work entails operating the clearinghouse; providing capabilities to receive and respond to all requests; providing and maintaining a database to categorize and track all EREC requests, responses, and product inventory; participating at and coordinating conferences and other outreach activities; writing reference briefs, fact sheets, and other outreach materials; providing metrics and reports on all EREC requests and responses; maintaining a library of EE/RE reference materials; providing storage for publications and other materials for dissemination; and posting new information and updating old information to EREN on a regular basis outlined below. C) Task Orders for specific tasks will be issued as needed and contingent upon availability of funds. Initial set-up costs will need to be rolled into the cost proposal or "amorized" over the period of performance beginning January 1, 1999. 5.0 TASK DESCRIPTIONS. 1) Typical tasks would include, but not be limited to,the following: A) OPERATION OF CLEARINGHOUSE: Provide capability to receive and respond to 40,000 to 50,000 requests per year for energy information and assistance. Maintain a toll-free 800 number, a TDD line, a fax machine, mail facility, and an e-mail address in order to receive and respond to all inquiries. Provide a 24-hour voice mail system so that callers can leave messages after office hours. Research and provide responses to all inquiries. Some inquiries may be answered via the telephone and some with written responses. Written responses may be tailored letters, written by the Subcontractor, or may be a fact sheet, brochure, video or other communications materials, provided by NREL (or DOE). Research responses as necessary by utilizing NREL/DOE publications, Internet resources, EREC library book and periodicals, the DOE library in Washington, D.C., or the NREL library in Golden, CO. B). MAINTAIN, TRACK, AND REPORT ON INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES: Develop and maintain automated database to include information about callers or other requestor. Provide reports to NREL that track the public interest in EE/RE and the types of information being sought, needed, and distributed. Certain programs, such as FEMP, require that additional information be tracked, so the database should be flexible with the ability to add or change fields and to run ad-hoc reports. C. CONFERENCE AND MEETING PARTICIPATION: Attend conferences, make presentations at some of the converences, and staff exhibit space to distribute literature, answer questions about EREC and EE/RE, and demonstrate EE/RE information available on the Web. D. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: Maintain information on federal, state, municipal legislation, regulations, incentives, and standards in the EE/RE area that would be of interest to the public, such as building codes, safety codes, or tax and other incentives for EE/RE. E. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND WRITE OR UPDATE FACT SHEETS: Write or update fact sheets which succinctly summarize information on specific topics. The need for such information is often in response to technology breakthroughs, new product offerings, customer interest in certain topics, or recently passed laws, regulations, or executive orders. (See sample fact sheets posted on the EREN Web site.) F. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND WRITE/UPDATE "REFERENCE BRIEFS": Write or update briefs on EE/RE technogies. These briefs can then be "cut and pasted" into letter responses to common inquiries. Maintain a collection of these briefs. G. CONFERENCE/EXHIBIT/MEETING MANAGEMENT: Operate and manage regional training workshops and outreach events, national converences, manage associated converence exhibits, or coordinate and/or attend meeting on EE/RE topics. H: INFORMATION SOURCES IDENTIFICATION: Identify new sources of information for review by NREL that can be made available on the Web and/or added to information distribued through requests to the Hotline. Validate information for reliability, accuracy, integrity, etc., and recommend new documents to be distributed. J. BULK MAILINGS: Prepare materials in response to bulk mailing requests. K. MAINTAIN EE/RE LIBRARY AND STORE NREL/DOE PULICATIONS: Maintain existing library of EE/RE books, journals, and magazines. Add to library as needed to respond to inquiries and keep abreast of new information. Provide warehouse or other storage for publications and other materials that can be sent out in response to EREC inquireis. Track inventory of publications to ensure that supplies are always available for dissemination. Photocopy documents as needed. L. OUTREACH: Research and select appropriate media or other audiences to receive press releases, public service announcements, or other information regarding newly available or specially selected publications based on seasonal, geographical, or topical factors. Prepare and send releases or other information to media or other audiences. 2)A Statement of Work (SOW, with further details including scope of work, tasks, deliverables, and due dates, will be included with each Task Order. 6.0 DELIVERABLES. A monthly report detailing progress made during the previous month under all task orders is required. Minimum requirements for the report are detailed in the SOW for the Task Order. Subsequent tasks may require additional data to be included or attached to the report. Any other deliverables will be specified in the task orders. ANY ORGANIZATION WHICH MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH NREL IN THIS EFFORT SHOULD MAIL OR FAX A LIST OF CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATION IN LETTER FORMAT NO MORE THAN THREE (3) PAGES IN LENGTH TO THE FOLLOWING: NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, ATTN: DEBORAH J. BULLARD, MS #3511, 1617 COLE BLVD., GOLDEN, CO 80401-3393. Fax #: 303-384-6877. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The list of capabilities and qualifications should be responsive to the items listed above. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. (0064)

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