Making appliance energy efficiency the new global standard

The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) is an international non-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency standards and labeling (S&L) for commonly used appliances and equipment. CLASP joined the Climate Works Foundation’s network as a Best Practice Network (BPN) in March of 2009. As a BPN, CLASP has expanded its efforts to support nations around the world that seek to improve energy efficiency in appliances, lighting, and equipment for household and commercial use, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

Leveraging support from the Climate Works Foundation, CLASP adds value to the Indian Energy Efficiency S&L dialogue. To that end, CLASP is seeking to identify technical experts on Table Fans, Pedestal Fans, Wall Mounted Fans and AC Ventilating Fans (Exhaust Fans). These experts will work with CLASP and its partners in the development of technical analysis in support of India’s energy efficiency standards.

The resulting study will provide policy-makers with a comprehensive summary of technical, economic and market issues related to the use of fans and an assessment of potential CO₂ savings from energy efficiency standards and labeling programs in India. The study will assess the present installed stock and current sales of fans in India, differentiated by capacity and technology, and provide guidance on how pre-existing Indian and international test procedures, energy efficiency labels or MEPS can be utilized to improve and speedup the development of standards and labels.

The Government of India introduced the Energy Conservation (EC) Act 2001 and created the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) as a statutory body to implement the Act. Standards and Labelling (S&L) are two major program areas being implemented by BEE. BEE works through committees of experts and stakeholders, including representatives from government organizations, industry, consumer organizations, testing laboratories and industrial associations, who determine how the program should be implemented on a product-by-product basis. BEE launched the first voluntary comparative energy label for refrigerators in May 2006. Other labeled domestic and commercial products to-date are air-conditioners, tubular florescent lamps, storage water heaters (geysers), colour televisions, ceiling fans, distribution transformers, clothes washers and cooking gas stoves.

BEE has identified fans as a priority for labeling, including Table Fans, Pedestal Fans, Wall Mounted Fans and Exhaust Fans. These are used extensively in households and similar installations in offices, commercial establishments and in industries. Typical applications include personal comfort, ventilation and fume extraction. These fans produce air flows with high volume and low pressure and are manufactured in a wide range of designs and sizes that can be put on the floor or a table, or are built into a window, wall, roof, chimney, etc.

The information on exact energy demand of fans is not well known. Information regarding technology and the options for improving their performance are also not yet well researched. Overall the technological status, technology gaps, test result data, type of industries, are either not known or consolidated updated data in these areas is not available.

It is expected that the market for fans will grow rapidly over the coming years due to economic growth, improved living conditions and customer expectation thereby leading to substantial energy demands and efficiency losses across India. To assist BEE in its decision about a possible standard and/or label for fans, CLASP is seeking to identify and mobilize technical experts to analyze: 

• The size of the market;
• Percentage growth of demand in last three years;
• Current and expected future sales;
• Import statistics;
• The technologies and range of products currently being manufactured in India;
• The technologies and range of products currently being installed in India;
• Available Indian and international test standards for fans
• Relevant testing capacities in India (government, manufacturer and/or third-party laboratories)
• The typical costs of products, for each technology type and capacity range;
• The typical energy demand in general during peak and off peak period; and
• The typical energy demand and energy losses per product.
• Type of industries manufacturing Table Fans, Pedestal Fans, Wall Mounted Fans and Exhaust Fans (organized/unorganized sectors).

In consultation with CLASP and BEE, the technical experts are expected to develop an approach and methodology for conducting the market and technical analysis, present interim results for review and discussion, consult with all relevant stakeholders, and clearly and definitively present all final analysis, recommendations, and conclusions in a comprehensive final report.

The scope of the analysis includes all Table Fans, Pedestal Fans, Wall Mounted Fans and AC Ventilating Fans (Exhaust Fans). Minimum and maximum capacities are not specified in this scope of work; the experts are expected to suggest a suitable capacity range as part of their analysis.

The technical experts will be required to fulfill the following tasks and responsibilities: 

• Assess the size of the national market for fans (number, types, sizes and capacities); units manufactured and sold; market share of main 5-10 suppliers; main distribution channels;
• Assess the installed stock of fans (number, types, sizes and capacities);
• Assess the technologies typical for new products, differentiated by manufacturer and capacity range, and indicate the market share of each technology;
• Assess typical energy consumption, per unit and nationwide;
• Assess the energy efficiency of fans, for the most common products in stock, the range of efficiencies found on the market, and efficiency improvement options available;
• Assess typical costs of fans and fan efficiency improvement options, for local as well as international manufacturing and differentiated by type and capacity;
• Develop energy labeling and minimum performance standard options, and assess, for each option, the costs and benefits to end-users and nationwide, national energy impacts; impacts on manufacturers and on end-users.
• Assess the number of industries, differentiated by small, medium and large scale companies.

The assignment is expected to commence in December 2010 and all analysis and reporting will be concluded by 31 March 2011.

The technical expert will be required to submit an inception report, interim report, draft final report, and a final report within the time frame stipulated in the contract that is executed for this assignment.

Interested firms or individuals are required to register as CLASP Implementing Partners before submission of proposals. Registration is simple and quick and may be done here. Any questions about CLASP's Partner Process may be directed to Elisa Lai via email at elai@clasponline.org.

A panel appointed by CLASP will evaluate qualifications received from respondents. Selection of qualified experts will be based upon the following criteria: 

• Extent of international and local experience with standards and labeling analysis in the field of table fans, pedestal fans and exhaust fans. Teams having a mix of local and international experts are preferred;
• Experience in the design and execution of consulting assignments related to energy efficiency in India;
• Experience of working on S&L for other products with BEE;
• Familiarity with product-specific test procedures and efficiency standards;
• Demonstrated ability to undertake and successfully execute consulting assignments of a similar nature within prescribed timeframes;
• Budget proposed to deliver the tasks under this RFP.

Additional information about CLASP's selection process is available here.

Interested parties should submit:

1. Full resumes of the members of the team proposed for the assignment, including contact information. A detailed statement explaining why the proposed project leader is the best-suited expert for this study. CLASP reserves the right to mix individuals that it selects from proposing teams to build the best international team possible;
2. Statement of qualifications for individual or firm, including past projects which demonstrate the individual and/or firm’s relevant experience and expertise for this assignment;
3. A detailed statement (maximum 3 pages) of the general approach the team would undertake in conducting the research, describing data sources, analytical methodology, if applicable identifying recent and ongoing studies and initiatives that need to be taken into account to avoid overlap and duplication, etc;
4. A work plan outlining roles, responsibilities, tasks, deliverables and timelines. A budget estimating costs broken down by major expense category in terms of testing and manpower including the hourly or daily rates for each member of the team.

We request that the technical and financial proposals be submitted as separate electronic files (preferably in pdf format). We further request that the file be named as per the following example: “Contractor Name: Product: RFP # 11 -10”

If necessary for the selection process, CLASP may request additional information from any applicant.

Interested Implementing Partners must submit their proposals by e-mail (please include "Response to RFP # 11-10" in the subject line) to Eric Gibbs, CLASP’s Senior Director of Country Programs, at: egibbs@clasponline.org

A Bidder's Conference is being planned for Friday, 17 December, 2010 in New Delhi. Details on this conference will be forthcoming.

All questions may be directed to Rituraj Borah: rborah@clasponline.org. We request all enquiries be made by email and not by phone.

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 final selection.

This was a competitive solicitation, and technical and financial proposals were received from three organisations:

• ICF International (ICF)
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• National Productivity Council, New Delhi (NPC)

While all three bidders submitted strong proposals and were considered viable candidates for successful implementation of the project, the submission from PriceWaterhouseCoopers was considered superior due primarily to the international reputation and credibility of the team, especially the exposure of the bidder to standards and labels and energy efficiency related projects, as well as familiarity with product-specific test procedures and efficiency standards; and secondarily due to the comprehensiveness of the proposed methodology based on an understanding of the project requirements as stated in the RFP.

Proposals were evaluated by a three member review team per defined criteria that included the approach, methodology, and project execution plan, extent of local and international experience in the field of fans, and cost projections in accordance with the RFP.

Proposals were scored based on a Quality and Cost Based System (QCBS) totalling 100 points, divided as follows: 

• Technical proposal: 80 points
• Financial proposal: 20 points

Final scores for the three proposals are provided in the table below.