• 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.

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 ultimately responsible for the commissioning process.
The commissioning process consists of four main phases for a school district:

1. Planning
2. Monitoring commissioning agent activities
3. Implementing issues
4. Handing-off the project

For additional information on each of these phases, click on commissioning process.

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
  

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

 
Commissioning firms approved by the Oregon Department of Energy:
 

Qualified Commissioning Firms ​​for Schools and Other Public Buildings
Energy Performance Engineering, LLC (EPE) Contact: James Jen, (503) 537-0270	http://www.epellc.net/  jimmyjen@epellc.net
Engineering Economics, Inc. Contact:  Jeffrey D. Nichols, (503) 545-8096	www.eeiengineers.com  jeff.nichols@eeiengineers.com
Environmental & Engineering Services, Inc. (EESI) Contact:  Fred Shaub, (541) 754-1062	www.eesinet.com   fred.shaub@eesinet.com
Green Building Services, Inc.  Contact:  Jennifer Tyler, (503) 546-4609	www.greenbuildingservices.com   Jennifer@greenbuildingservices.com
HDR Design-Build, Inc. Contact:  Matt Beckingham,  (253) 209-9406	www.hdrinc.com matt.beckingham@hdrinc.com
Heery International, Inc. Contact:  Collin Moar, (503) 291-5024	www.heery.com cmoar@heery.com
McKinstry Essention, Inc. Contact:  Tom Konicke, (503) 331-2476	http://www.mckinstry.com/    tomk@mckinstry.com
Northwest Engineering Service, Inc. Contact:  Jerry Burstedt, (503) 639-7525 Kevin Fish, (503) 639-7525	www.nwesi.com   jerryb@nwesi.com kevinf@nwesi.com
Solarc Engineering & Energy + Architectural Consulting, Inc. Contact: Mike Hatten, (541) 349-0966	​www.solarc-ae.net mikeh@solarc-ae.net
System Commissioning Consultants, Inc. Contact: Dennis Anderson, (503) 663-3021	Web site: N/A sccinc@att.net
Systems West Engineers, Inc. Contact:  Michaeleen Beard, (541) 342-7211	www.systemswestengineers.com mbeard@systemswestengineers.com
Welsh Commissioning Group Contact:  Joan Welsh,  (256) 856-3322	www.wcxg.com joan@wcxg.com

 

1. A one-page description of the firm (available above)
2. A schedule of fees. To view a schedule of fees for qualifying firms, please contact Christie Sphoon at 503-373-7430 or christie.l.sphoon@odoe.state.or.us.

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).

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:

Holley Oglesby
Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion St. N.E
Salem, OR 97301-3737

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Energy Loan Program

 
Retrocommissioning Handbook for Facility Managers

If you have any questions, e-mail the Oregon Department of Energy staff at sb1149.sch@state.or.us.
 
For more information on building commissioning in Oregon, call Andrzej Pekalski toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-221-8035. In Salem or out of state, call (503) 378-5697.