The Housing and Community Services Department is seeking a special procurement for Weatherization Energy Audit Software. The proposed contract is for REM/Rate Lite, which is the replacement version of the current energy audit tool, REM/Design. The contract is expected to last for 5 years, with an option to extend. The total estimated cost is $550,000. The software will be used for energy audits and to ensure compliance with federal funding requirements. • The contract will be direct-awarded to REM/Rate LLC, the original vendor of the current energy audit tool. • The replacement version of the current tool is proprietary to the original vendor and is not available through alternative suppliers. • The DOE-approved list includes a variety of tools from different developers, reducing potential favoritism. • The proposed contract is determined to be the most cost-effective and expedient solution for several reasons, including pre-approval and compliance, cost savings, and proven effectiveness.