Making Appliance Energy Efficiency the New Global Standard

In keeping with CLASP's commitment to a fair and transparent evaluation of all bids, we have provided a basic summary of the bids received under this RFP as well as the basic rationale for the selection.

This was a very competitive solicitation and responses were received from the following groups:

• Centro de Ensayos, Innovación y Servicios CEIS (ES,) in consortium with SYNOVATE (ES)
• Consumer Research Associates (UK) in consortium with Ipsos MORI (UK)/Qualitative Hothouse (UK) and ICF International (US)
• ECOFYS (NL) in consortium with Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University (DK)
• Energy Institute, Johannes Kepler University, Linz (AT)
• Energy Saving Trust (UK) in consortium with Databuild Research & Solutions (UK) and Öko-Institut e.V (DE)
• Fraunhofer ISI (DE) in consortium with GfK Retail and Technology GmbH (DE) and Corinne Faure, Essec Business School (FR)
• Kadence International (India)
• National Consumer Research Centre (FI) and ECN (NL ) in consortium with GreenDependent (Hungary) and Ecoinstitut Barcelona (Spain)
• Navigant Consulting Europe (UK) in consortium with SEVEn (CZ), SoWatt (FR/IT), Öko-Institut (DE), Motiva (FI), Escan (ES), KAPE (PL), EnEffect (BG), and Millward Brown (offices in targeted countries)

The proposals were assessed by a review committee consisting of CLASP staff and external technical experts using the assessment criteria set out in the RFP and repeated below: 

• European and international recognition as leading expert/s on qualitative consumer energy behavior and energy labeling related research
• Demonstrated experience applying market research to policy-making with extra credit for experience in the energy and environmental areas and/or past work on appliances
• Demonstrated experience working with or for multilateral ventures and European cooperation in the realm of consumer energy behavior and energy labeling work
• Top-of-mind familiarity with the first EU Energy Labeling Directive and EU Member State implementation
• Track record of successful project management and implementation, with credit given for direct experience in a management role on behalf of CLASP
• Understanding of the requirements of the study
• Quality of the proposed research design and study implementation
• Team Leadership, Team Composition and Project management

Among the eight groups who applied, the review committee shortlisted the following three bids:

• Consumer Research Associates
• Energy Saving Trust
• Navigant Consulting Europe

The proposals from Consumer Research Associates and Energy Savings Trust were identified as very comprehensive and of high quality, but both would require further elaboration to satisfy CLASP expectations. Based on this assessment the committee decided not to pursue them further.

The Winning Bid

The winning bid was submitted by Navigant Consulting Europe (UK) in consortium with SEVEn (CZ), SoWatt (FR/IT), Öko-Institut (DE), Motiva (FI), Escan (ES), KAPE (PL), EnEffect (BG), and Millward Brown, who has offices in all countries where fieldwork is planned. Navigant's bid was found to gather the highest level of technical expertise and research experience in the fields essential for this study, combined with an excellent understanding of existing European labeling policies and their implementation at Member State level. The bid also demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues relating to the new and revised energy labels. The proposed research design is robust and builds on existing expertise and experience of organizations in the specific areas of interest which we trust will ensure significant value add of the results of the study.