Demand Response (DR) Program Services

The City of Mesa sought a qualified contractor to design, market, implement, and operate a smart‑thermostat based demand‑response (DR) program for its electric service area. The award went to Virtual Peaker, Inc. for a three‑year firm‑fixed‑price contract covering program planning, customer enrollment, marketing, training, platform development, event dispatch, and ongoing performance reporting. The scope includes a 2‑year implementation plan to enroll at least 1 MW of DR capacity, a functional utility portal for event scheduling, and monthly reporting on program metrics. The contract also allows for up to two optional one‑year renewals and includes standard insurance, background‑check, and compliance requirements. • Scope: Pre‑implementation planning, marketing, training, system integration, event dispatch portal, and performance tracking. • Term: Fixed three‑year period (≈ $387 k total) with optional renewals. • Requirements: Minimum 5 years DR experience, smart‑thermostat OEM integration, DERMS platform, demographic analysis, and extensive references.