| Commissioning of SB 1149 Projects |
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What is Commissioning? |
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Commissioning is the process of ensuring that building systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner's operational needs. Commissioning also can restore existing buildings to high productivity through renovation, upgrade and tune-up of existing systems.
Benefits of commissioning include:
- Early detection of potential problems
- Lower operation and maintenance cost
- Lower utility bills
- Healthy and comfortable work environment
- Trained building operators
- Better building documentation
- Precise tune-up of HVAC systems and controls
- Fewer change orders
How much commissioning costs depends on the size and complexity of the project. But it accounts for a small portion of construction and renovation budgets. When commissioning is done properly, the savings far outweigh the costs.
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Commissioning process |
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The school district's role
The school district's role in the commissioning process is critical. As owner of the building, the school district is in charge and has the authority to have contractors fix deficiencies. Thus, the school district staff can make a retrofit a success or spend a lot of money to get a building that does not function as well as it could. The school district is untimately responsible for the commissioning process.
The commissioning process consists of four main phases for a school district:
- Planning
- Monitoring commissioning agent activities
- Implementing issues
- Handing-off the project
For additional information on each of these phases, click on commissioning process.
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When is commissioning required |
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Commissioning or retro commissioning is required for the following energy related capital projects funded by SB 1149 Public Purpose Funds:
- All HVAC and/or DDC capital projects exceeding $50,000
- All boiler and chiller capital projects exceeding $100,000
- Any other energy related (e.g., lighting and lighting controls, building envelope) capital projects exceeding $150,000
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Commissioning Firms |
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The firms listed below in alphabetical order have been qualified by the Oregon Department of Energy to perform commissioning services for schools. We have added a link to the firm's Web site, if one is available.
If a firm does NOT appear on this list, it is because
1. The firm has not submitted a proposal
2. The firm's proposal is being processed
3. The firm's proposal has been denied
If you want to use a firm that is not on the list, please contact the firm and ask them to apply. Click here for the Request for Proposal.
Disclaimer:
The firms listed below have been qualified by the Oregon Department of Energy to perform energy commissioning services in schools and other public buildings. This list is not intended to endorse the qualifications of the firms listed below to perform work other than the energy project commissioning services authorized in the Request for Proposals #07-08 and its attachments.
School districts and authorized state agencies are not permitted to use this list of contractors to contract for project management, construction management, design, installation, or any other services that do not match the description of services outlined in this RFP.
Nothing in this solicitation process, Request for Proposals, or any contemplated or final Agreement to Agree or Work Assignment Contract relieves any Contracting Agency from complying with all laws and regulations applicable to public procurement.
Notice
Contracting agencies and qualified firms are responsible for carefully reading all the terms and conditions contained in this Request for Proposals (RFP) and for following the instructions given.
To view RFP #07-08 please visit: http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/OFFICE/jobs.shtml#RFP
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Commissioning firms approved by the Oregon Department of Energy:
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Choosing a Commissioning Agent |
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Choosing the right commissioning agent can be difficult. To help you choose the firm that best matches your needs and plans, the Oregon Department of Energy has asked the firms to submit:
1. A one-page description of the firm (available above)
2. A schedule of fees. To view the fee schedules for the qualifying firms, you must have a user name and password. Please call Christie Sphoon at at the Oregon Department of Energy.
Because the Oregon Department of Energy can NOT advise you on which firm to select, we suggest you perform one or more of the following:
1. Read the one-page description of the firm and review their fee schedule
2. Visit the firm's Web site
3. Call the firm
4. Read the firm's proposal (on file at the Oregon Department of Energy)
5. Ask the firm to visit and explain their services
6. Follow your school district's rules regarding the hiring of consultants.
All proposals are on file at the Oregon Department of Energy. If you wish to read them, an authorized school district agent can:
1. Visit the Oregon Department of Energy in Salem and read the proposals in our office; or
2. Visit the Oregon Department of Energy in Salem and copy the proposals at a local copy store; or
3. Ask the Oregon Department of Energy to copy the proposals at a cost of $0.25 per page (Note: all proposals are at least 50 pages and some are an inch thick).
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Hiring a Commissioning Firm |
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After choosing the commissioning firm, call the firm and negotiate a price for the audit(s) and optional services. A Work Assignment Contract for Commissioning Services is available for your use. (Note: this is a different contract than the Work Assignment Contract for Energy Audits.) The contract is in Word (Read-only). You may "Save As" on your computer and complete the contract on line. Submit a copy to the firm you have hired for their signature. Be sure and send a copy of the signed contract to the Oregon Department of Energy as we issued the Request for Proposal. Send to:
Jan Simmons
Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion St. N.E
Salem, OR
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Case Studies |
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Case Study: Retro-commissioning
Silver Falls School District gets what it paid for
Case Study: Roof Top Units Vs. Central HVAC
Roof-top units are “. . . made to be disposable. The compressor is 2/3 of the roof-top unit cost, so when it goes, you might as well buy a new unit.”
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Financial Assistance |
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Business Energy Tax Credits
Energy Loan Program
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Resources |
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New Construction Commissioning Handbook for Facility Managers
Retrocommissioning Handbook for Facility Managers
Commissioning Tool Kit -
(.zip files)
A comprehensive guide that takes you through the commissioning process: selecting a commissioning agent, drafting contracts, developing and carrying out commissioning plans, and managing commissioning agents and contractor.
Commissioning PowerPoint presentation
Commissioning for Better Buildings in Oregon: A comprehensive 44-page introduction to building commissioning (pdf: 391 KB)
RFP for Commissioning Services Word PDF
Scope of Work (from Commissioning RFP) (Word)
Scope of Work for general commissioning services (Word)
Work Assignment Contract for Commissioning Services (Word)
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Questions |
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If you have any questions, e-mail the Oregon Department of Energy staff at .
For more information on building commissioning in Oregon, call toll-free in Oregon at 1-. In Salem or out of state, call .
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