Frequently Asked Questions
Multifamily Performance Partners
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How is this Program different from NYSERDA's previous multifamily technical assistance and incentive programs?
- Market rate and affordable projects will follow a similar process.
- The principle client relationship is shifted to the Partner.
- Incentives are not specifically ear-marked to cover a set percentage of the Partner’s fee.
- All applicants, including affordable housing projects, are free to select any approved partner. Unlike AMP, NYSERDA will not be assigning projects to Partners; the Partner will need to sell their services to interested Participants.
- The program is promoting energy reduction plans that expand upon a traditional energy audit to include aspects of construction and finance.
- The Partner is now responsible for the project from cradle to grave.
- The Partner fee schedule is not determined by the program; it is set by the marketplace.
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How am I getting paid? Will NYSERDA pay me?
NYSERDA will provide incentives to Partners as described in the Partnership Agreement, including:
- Training
- Certification/Accreditations
- Advertising
- TREAT Software
- All project-based incentives will be paid directly to the Participant. Partners will be paid by the Participants, NOT by NYSERDA.
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Who can qualify to become a Partner?
The main qualification of a Partner is evidence of having previously acted in a lead capacity on at least three multifamily projects for which comprehensive energy efficiency scopes of work were developed and fully implemented.
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If my company has solid related experience but does not specifically have the experience listed above, can we qualify to become a Partner?
Submit case studies that best represent your company's ability to provide services in this program along with an executive summary that explain why you feel that your experience and skills are adaptable to this Program.
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I have 20 years of experience in installing heating systems in multifamily buildings, and am a BPI-certified heating specialist. How can I participate in this program?
To be eligible to become a Partner, you must have acted in the lead capacity on at least 3 completed multifamily projects that included comprehensive energy scopes of work. This includes both shell and HVAC measures. Please review the Partnership opportunity and determine whether or not your firm would like to apply to become a Partner. If not, you are still welcome to contact Partners and offer to be a subcontractor or installation contractor on their projects in your area(s) of expertise.
Note that there are no limitations on services that a Partner may provide to buildings owners as part of the program. Installation contractors, including window and boiler contractors may also submit their qualifications to become a Multifamily Partner. Please note that the program is based upon a whole building approach. Partners that submit projects with narrow scopes of work (i.e. consistently only windows or only heating systems) will be closely evaluated by NYSERDA's Program Implementer and Quality Assurance Contractor. If a Partner fails to consistently following the whole building approach, they will be removed from the Program.
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I do not intend/have the skills/want to be involved in both the Existing Building and New Construction components. Is that allowable by this contract?
Yes. You may choose to provide services in any combination of components, as long as you meet the qualifications for each component in which you choose, as each component requires specialized skills and experience. By submitting a project into one of the program's components (e.g. New Construction), you are certifying that your team meets all criteria listed for that specific component. Partners can choose to provide all services internally, to subcontract out portions of the services, or to act solely as a Project Manager and subcontract out all services. As an alternative, the Partner and owner may agree that the owner should directly contract for specific services identified as Program requirements, although the Partner will remain responsible to NYSERDA to ensure those requirements are met.
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How do I indicate which component(s) I intend to work with?
Intent to provide services within a specific component will be determined by atten dan ce to that specific component's program orientation. Once you have executed this Partnership Agreement with NYSERDA and attended a component's Program orientation, your company's contact information will be included on the NYSERDA website as being approved to provide services for that specific program component.
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Is there a deadline to apply to become a Partner?
No, there are “rolling admissions”. An Evaluation Panel will meet on a regular basis, as determined by demand.
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What do I submit with the Agreement and what do I keep on record?
One (1) electronic copy (provided on a CD-ROM in .pdf format) of the Partnership Agreement package (consisting of the following: Partner Application Checklist, Partnership Agreement Signature Form, Attachment B, Attachment C, Attachment D and all documentation listed in Attachment A) must be submitted along with two (2) originally signed hard copies of the following documents: Partnership Agreement Signature Form, Attachment B, Attachment C and Attachment D in order for your application to be considered by the Evaluation Panel.
Documentation of the Partners satisfying the required skills, certifications, and/or accreditations identified in Attachments D, F, G and H do NOT need to be submitted with the signed Agreement. However, NYSERDA reserves the right to request that documentation at any time. The Partner will have 10 days to respond, if this supporting documentation is requested.
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Is there an additional incentive available for Building Operator Training?
Yes, there will be an additional incentive available for Building Operator Training as an Advanced Measure.
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If a building owner decided to not implement the scope of work recommended by the Partner in the Energy Reduction Plan, do they still qualify for the 1st incentive?
Yes. The building owner will be paid upon receipt of the documents required for the 1st incentive, whether or not the building owner anticipates proceeding. The Partner should ensure that the contract between the building owner and the Partner reflects at least partial payment upon submission of these requirements, regardless of implementation, to ensure that they are paid appropriately.
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Last Updated: 04/04/2012