Invitation for Expression of Interest to Tender for
An Online Building Energy Performance Benchmarking Tool for Offices and Feasibility Study on the Development of A Building Operational Energy Performance Benchmarking Labelling & Certification Scheme for buildings in Hong Kong.
  

Introduction

With an overarching aim to promote sustainable buildings in Hong Kong, the purpose of this exercise is to invite consultants to express their interest in submitting a proposal on the development of an Energy Performance Benchmarking Tool for offices as well as a feasibility study on the development of a Building Operational Energy Performance Benchmark Labelling & Certification Scheme for buildings in Hong Kong.

Background

In 2009, four industry leaders united to establish the HKGBC – the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Business Environment Council (BEC), BEAM Society (BEAM) and Professional Green Building Council (PGBC). HKGBC is the leading body driving the promotion and creation of sustainable buildings and standards throughout the Hong Kong SAR, engaging community, industry and government to create a more sustainable environment. HKGBC is an independent and member-based entity, incorporated as a non-profit company limited by guarantee.

Objectives of the Project

As part of HKGBC’s efforts in promoting sustainable buildings, this project aims to introduce a series of web-based HKGBC Building Operational Energy Performance Benchmarking Tools, which include initially a simpler tool for benchmarking operating energy use in offices and ultimately a more detailed and sophisticated tool for benchmarking the operational energy performance in buildings in Hong Kong.

The Tools will address the need of industry stakeholders for a rigorous, user-friendly and recognizable means by which building owners and occupiers can anonymously track and compare their building energy use, on a like-for-like basis, with other offices and buildings of the same type respectively, hence providing the direction for improvement in energy efficiency.

Scope of the Project

The project aims to produce (a) an online benchmarking tool for use by office occupiers (i.e. tenants of commercial building) to compare and benchmark the energy use of the offices; and (b) a feasibility study on the development of a Building Operational Energy Performance Benchmarking Labelling & Certification Scheme for buildings in Hong Kong.

For objective (a) of the project, it is anticipated that any office tenants, with or without technical knowledge, will be able to use the Tool with least information they can obtain (e.g. electricity bill, office space and type of offices) and complete a basic office energy use assessment. The outcome of this benchmarking is to allow them to have a general understanding of how their energy consumption compares with the same type of offices. The Tool shall also allow the users to input more detailed set of consumption data by categories of consumption such as lighting, small power, HVAC, etc. This can enable the user to have a more detailed information on where their consumption by category compares with other offices so that they can have a better idea of where they can have the potential for improvement. The development of such tool for benchmarking office energy performance shall include the establishment of a robust database which shall be based on preferably no less than 100 sets of office energy data samples, from offices of different grades and different geographic districts. The success of the tool depends heavily on how robust the database is and it is expected that the consultant will use theoretical methods for verification and vigorous sensitive analysis are carried out.

The consultants can propose an alternative methodology and approach for developing the Tool. HKGBC may facilitate the collection of office energy use data, if deemed necessary and feasible.

The data submitted by users is expected to be verified by qualified professionals, such as BEAM Pro or Registered Energy Assessor.

It is expected that this tool for benchmarking office energy performance will be completed within 6 months’ time from commencement of the project.

For Objective (b) of the project, the consultant shall conduct a robust feasibility study on the development of a Building Operational Energy Benchmarking Tool initially for commercial buildings in Hong Kong with possibility of later expansion to other building types. The development of the Building Operational Energy Benchmarking Tool shall lead to the development of an associated rating system as well a certification and labelling scheme. The consultant shall be required to take into account the availability of building energy data in the public domain when developing the Building Operational Energy Performance Benchmarking Tool. The scope of the study shall also include a framework on the business model, the operation and maintenance of the developed Tool.

The Tool is anticipated to provide input to or integrate with the assessment of building energy efficiency in future versions of BEAM Plus.

 
Deliverables

The following deliverables will be expected for this project:

For Objective (a),

1. the development of an energy performance benchmarking tool for offices, with proper categorization, together with a robust database, preferably containing no less than 100 sets of office energy use data from offices of different grades and different geographic districts. Upon completion of the development of this energy performance benchmarking tool for offices, the tool shall be able to provide readily benchmarked data based on the robust database established by the Consultant; and
2. A framework on the implementation, operation and maintenance of the tool as well as the implementation strategies for this energy benchmarking tool for offices.
3. The development of the tool shall be completed and ready for launch to the market within 6-month time, with the inception containing the detailed methodology and approach provided to HKGBC within one month from the commencement of the project.

The consultants can propose and specify in the EoI an alternative methodology and approach for developing the Tool.

For Objective (b),

1. a feasibility study report, with detailed planning, proposed framework and programme on the development, operation and maintenance of a building operational energy performance benchmarking tool taking into account the availability of building energy data in the public domain, and through the implementation of the Building Energy Code;
2. the study shall also cover subsequent development of a rating system as well as certification and labelling scheme, which will focus on all commercial buildings in Hong Kong with later expansion to cover other building types, taking reference of existing building energy performance benchmarking systems worldwide; and
3. the study report shall be submitted to HKGBC within two months from the commencement of the project.

The project will be steered and overseen by a task force of HKGBC advisors, with project management by the HKGBC Secretariat.

Pre-qualification Requirement

Consultants complying with the following minimum requirements will be considered for pre-qualification:

1. History of establishment: established locally at least 3 years;
2. Experience in research, data collection and stakeholder engagement exercise, relating to building energy efficiency within the last five years;
3. A competent team with relevant working experiences in energy efficiency projects in buildings and related issues (local/overseas). The involvement of BEAM Professionals (BEAM Pro) in the proposed team is preferred.
    

Submission

Any parties interested in this project are invited to submit their expression of interest including their company information with details key personnel and relevant job reference (both local and overseas) and a proposed methodology and approach of no more than two A4 pages (preferably expressed in schematic graphics). The EoI should be submitted in a maximum of six A4 pages (supplementary materials can be supplied as appendices) by hand to the following address before 6:00pm on 15 December 2011.

Attention:
Ms Anna Mak
Manager, Projects and programmes
Hong Kong Green Building Council Ltd.
1/F Jockey Club Environmental Building
77 Tat Chee Avenue,
Kowloon Tong

Late submission will not be considered. Parties that are successfully shortlisted after the Expression of Interest, with or without interview, will subsequently be invited to submit detailed proposals.

A briefing session will be held on 2 December 2011 at 9:15AM in Conference Room, HKGBC Office, 1F Jockey Club Environmental Building, 77 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. The purpose of the briefing is to provide clarification and answers to any questions potential tenderers may have regarding the EoI. Registration to the briefing can be made via ispp@hkgbc.org.hk before 1:00pm, on 1 December 2011. Each interested organization is welcomed to nominate up to 2 representatives to attend the briefing session.    

Issued on 29 November 2011