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PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Department of Facilities and Fleet
Vendor: Ameresco, Inc., Framingham, Massachusetts
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend and increase contract
Good(s) or Service(s): Energy Consultant Services for Natural Gas and Electricity for Forest Preserves-Owned & Leased Facilities
Original Contract Period: 11/1/2020 - 9/30/2023, with one (1) two-year renewal option, Administrative Extension (10/1/2023 - 12/31/2023)
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 1/1/2024 - 9/30/2025
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $210,000.00
Original Approval: 10/20/2020, $210,000.00
Previous Increase(s): N/A
This Increase Requested: $96,298.00
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2024 $55,028.00, FY 2025 $41,270.00
Accounts: Electricity and Natural Gas 51001.540024
Contract Number(s): #74000008390 (Cook County Contract No. 1923-18043)
Concurrences: The Chief Financial Officer has approved this item. Final amendment is subject to legal review and approval.
The Vendor has met the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Ordinance via direct participation.
District(s): Districtwide
Summary: Ameresco, Inc. will continue to provide energy consultant, procurement, bill payment, and data management services for the procurement of and budgeting for electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy for Forest Preserves facilities. Due to deregulated energy markets, the Forest Preserves can seek energy supply from multiple sources, which may result in operational savings. Due to the complexity and number of Forest Preserves accounts, it is in the best interests of the Forest Preserves to use a subject matter expert to assist the Forest Preserves. This contract is also crucial for the continued data aggregation with respect to utilities to assess their impact on the Forest Preserves’ goal of reducing greenhouse gases.
Ameresco’s fee for the services provided is assessed as a percentage of the amount of energy procured for the Forest Preserves. In addition, the data management and bill consolidation/validation process are flat annual fees per account. This contract was awarded through a publicly advertised Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on behalf of both Cook County and the Forest Preserves. On 9/24/2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Ameresco for similar services (Cook County Agenda No. 20-3981). On 9/21/2023, the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorized the exercise of a two-year renewal option (Cook County Agenda No. 23-4536). The Forest Preserves now also seeks to exercise a two-year renewal option and increase the contract amount.
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