Pilot Energy Efficiency Demonstration Program

1 Introduction and Background

The Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Development Programs ("GFWDP," the "Program," or "we") is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund pilot demonstration projects that improve the energy efficiency of Massachusetts commercial fishing vessels. This RFP makes available a total of $500,000 for competitively selected energy efficiency pilot demonstration projects.

American commercial fishermen face a challenging and dynamic operational environment defined in part by aging fleets, highly volatile marine diesel fuel markets, and the need to achieve energy efficiency gains in maritime operations on their own terms. The Energy Efficient Fisheries (EEF) initiative, funded through a federal congressional earmark supported by Massachusetts Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and granted to GFWDP in 2023, represents a localized, industry-led response to these macro-environmental and economic challenges. The EEF initiative operates under the fundamental premise that the commercial fishing industry must be the architect of its own energy transition.

Operating under the principle that safe, cost-effective options, rather than mandates, must drive maritime energy innovation, the EEF initiative focuses on participatory, scalable solutions tailored to the unique operational realities of the Massachusetts commercial fishing fleet. Practical energy efficiency modernization must bridge the gap between theoretical approaches, the harsh realities of the marine environment, and the physical and operational demands of one of America's most dangerous professions.

Fuel is among the largest and least controllable operating expenses faced by the commercial fishing fleet. Improvements in vessel energy efficiency reduce fuel consumption, lower operating costs, reduce particulate emissions, and strengthen the long-term economic resilience of the fishing industry and the working waterfront. Through this Program, GFWDP seeks to identify, fund, and demonstrate practical, measurable energy-saving solutions with the potential to be adopted across the Massachusetts commercial fleet.

This is a demonstration and learning initiative as much as a funding opportunity. The Program intends for funded projects to generate credible, real-world data on fuel savings that can inform future investment by vessel owners, technology providers, and policymakers. We have designed this RFP to be approachable — including an optional matchmaking round to help technology providers and vessel owners team up — while still rewarding the projects that deliver the most verified fuel savings per dollar invested.

2 Program Goals and Objectives

The Program's central objective is to maximize verified fuel savings per dollar invested — the greatest "bang for the buck" in reducing the fuel intensity of commercial fishing operations. To that end, the Program will prioritize:

• New technologies, or novel applications of existing technologies or designs, in the commercial fishing sector;
• Projects with clearly quantified, credibly estimated, and verifiable fuel savings;
• Projects that are practical to install, operate, and maintain in real fishing conditions; and
• Projects with strong potential to be replicated or scaled across the Massachusetts fleet.

3 Funding and Award Information

"Total project cost" means the full cost of the project — including all equipment/materials, installation/labor, and project management — regardless of funding source. GFWDP reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received; to fund a project in whole or in part; and to negotiate project scope and budget before award.

3.1 Payment Structure

The Program anticipates a milestone-based payment structure, with payments tied to executed contract, installation progress, and successful placement into service with a verified fuel-savings report. Final payment terms will be set in the contract.

4 Eligibility Requirements

There is no restriction on the type of entity that may apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, vessel owners and operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology developers and vendors, naval architects and marine engineers, shipyards and marine-trades businesses, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and teams or partnerships combining any of the above.

Regardless of applicant type, each funded project must meet all of the following conditions:

• The project must be installed on, and demonstrated aboard, a commercial fishing vessel;
• The vessel must be registered or documented to a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to a business chartered (incorporated or organized) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
• The specific vessel on which the project will be installed must be identified in the full proposal (see Sections 6.1 and 7).

Applicants that do not themselves own a qualifying vessel — for example, OEMs and technology developers — may participate in the Pre-Proposal and Matchmaking Round (Section 7.1) to be connected with interested Massachusetts vessel owners.

5 Eligible Project Categories

The Program is most interested in new technologies or novel applications of existing technologies or designs in the fishing sector, and proposals that demonstrate this will be more competitive. Proposals must address one or more of the following three categories:

1. Propulsion efficiency — improvements to the vessel's propulsion system that reduce fuel use, such as engine upgrades or repowering, hybrid or electric propulsion, propeller and running-gear optimization, drivetrain improvements, or propulsion control systems. Projects must demonstrate novelty or otherwise advance the technical state of the art for commercial fishing vessels in Massachusetts.
2. Hull or gear modifications — physical modifications to the vessel's hull or to fishing gear that reduce drag, weight, or energy demand, such as hull coatings or fairing, appendage optimization, lightweighting, or redesigned/optimized fishing gear that reduces towing or handling energy. Projects should demonstrate proven or novel techniques with a high likelihood of efficiency improvements that are not yet widely adopted in the regional commercial fishing fleet.
3. Operational or systems modifications — changes to onboard systems or operating practices that modify behavior or otherwise reduce energy use, such as energy monitoring and decision-support systems, electrical-load and refrigeration efficiency, auxiliary-power and idle reduction, and route or speed optimization tools.

6 Project Requirements

6.1 Vessel Identification

Each full proposal must identify the specific vessel on which the project will be installed, including: vessel name; official USCG documentation number or state registration number; homeport; owner name; the owner's Massachusetts residency or the business's Massachusetts chartering; vessel type and length; gear type; and fishery(ies). A signed Vessel Owner Letter of Commitment (Appendix F) must be included.

6.2 Net Fuel Savings Estimate

Each proposal must provide a quantified estimate of net annual fuel savings, calculated as the real-time fuel savings rate multiplied by the estimated number of days at sea per year:

Savings must be expressed in physical fuel units — for example, gallons of diesel fuel per year, or equivalent units of another marine fuel — and must NOT be expressed in dollar or cost terms (fuel units allow projects to be compared on a consistent basis independent of fluctuating fuel prices). The Program's metric is fuel displaced. Reductions in onboard electrical loads count only to the extent they reduce fuel consumption (for example, reduced generator or alternator load). Electrical energy consumed by new or modified systems — including shore-charged batteries and electric or hybrid propulsion — is not counted as savings and is not netted against fuel savings; proposals introducing material new purchased-energy inputs (for example, shore-power charging) should disclose the expected quantity for information purposes. Applicants must document the basis for baseline fuel consumption, projected post-project fuel consumption, and estimated days at sea, including data sources and key assumptions. Applicants should complete the Net Fuel Savings Worksheet (Appendix D). Where savings are measured per operating hour, applicants should convert to a per-day-at-sea basis using average operating hours per day at sea and show their work.

6.3 Comprehensive Budget

Each proposal must include a comprehensive budget covering all project costs, itemized to include, at a minimum: (a) project management/administration; (b) installation/labor; and (c) equipment/materials. Applicants should use the Project Budget Template (Appendix E) and include a short budget narrative explaining the basis for each line item.

6.4 Measurement and Verification (M&V) Plan

Each proposal must include a measurement and verification (M&V) plan describing how actual fuel savings will be measured, recorded, and reported during the demonstration period, using the per-day-at-sea methodology in Section 6.2. Baseline and post-installation measurements should be normalized to comparable operating conditions (for example, the same fishery, season, and duty cycle) so that reported savings reflect the project rather than changes in fishing activity.

The credibility of an M&V plan depends in large part on the confidence level of the proposed measurement methods. For scoring purposes (Section 9.2), the Program will generally regard methods in the following order of increasing confidence: (a) lower confidence — operator trip logs and engineering estimates; (b) medium confidence — fuel purchase records or tank soundings reconciled against trip logs; and (c) higher confidence — direct measurement using instruments such as fuel flow meters (or electrical metering where used to substantiate reduced generator fuel consumption), with pre- and post-installation baselines collected under comparable operating conditions. Applicants are encouraged to propose the highest-confidence method practical for their project.

The cost of metering, monitoring, or data-logging equipment reasonably necessary to carry out the M&V plan is an eligible project cost and should be included in the project budget (Section 6.3).

6.5 In-Service Target Date

All project proposals should prioritize expeditious installation. Proposals must include an in-service target date and a project schedule demonstrating that this deadline can be met, including procurement lead times, installation, and commissioning.

6.6 Massachusetts Installation Preference

There is a strong preference for projects that are installed in Massachusetts (for example, at a Massachusetts shipyard, boatyard, or marine facility). Applicants should state the planned installation location; projects installed in Massachusetts will receive preference in scoring (Section 9.2).

7 RFP Process and Timeline

This is a two-round RFP. Round 1 is an optional pre-proposal and matchmaking round; Round 2 is the full proposal submission. Every funded project must ultimately be tied to a specific, identified vessel.

7.1 Round 1 — Pre-Proposal and Matchmaking Round (July 10 – August 15, 2026)

Round 1 is optional but strongly encouraged, particularly for technology providers, OEMs, and developers who do not yet have a partner vessel. It serves two purposes:

(a) Clarification and questions. Prospective applicants may submit written questions about the RFP. The Program will compile and post written responses to all substantive questions on the program website (www.energyefficient.fish/pilots) so that the same information is available to all applicants.

(b) Matchmaking. Technology providers may submit a short Concept Proposal (Appendix A) describing their proposed technology or approach, the project category, the ideal vessel characteristics for the demonstration, an expected range of fuel savings, and a rough budget range — without yet naming a specific vessel. Vessel owners may submit a short Vessel Profile (Appendix B) describing their vessel, operations, and the kinds of projects they would consider hosting. The Program will facilitate introductions between technology providers and vessel owners with compatible needs, with the goal of forming complete project teams able to submit full proposals.

Participation in Round 1 is not a prerequisite for submitting a full proposal, and submission of a Concept Proposal does not constitute a proposal, guarantee a match, or confer any scoring advantage. However, because every full proposal must identify a specific vessel (Section 6.1), Round 1 is the Program's primary mechanism for helping unmatched applicants meet that requirement. The Program acts only as a facilitator and is not a party to any agreement reached between a technology provider and a vessel owner.

7.2 Round 2 — Full Proposals (Due October 2, 2026)

All applicants — whether or not they participated in Round 1 — must submit a complete full proposal that meets the requirements of Sections 6 and 8, including identification of a specific qualifying vessel and a signed Vessel Owner Letter of Commitment, no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on October 2, 2026.

7.3 Timeline

All times are U.S. Eastern Time. The Program reserves the right to adjust these dates and will communicate any changes to registered applicants and on its website.

8 Proposal Submission Requirements

8.1 Full Proposal Contents

A complete full proposal should include the following, in order:

1. Full Proposal Cover Sheet (Appendix C)
2. Executive summary (maximum 2 pages)
3. Project narrative / technical description — the technology or approach; how it reduces energy use; what is new or novel about it; the project category(ies) addressed; expected outcomes; and operational impacts, including effects on vessel safety, reliability, maintenance requirements, and fishing operations (suggested maximum 5 pages)
4. Vessel identification and signed Vessel Owner Letter of Commitment (Appendix F)
5. Net Fuel Savings Worksheet and supporting analysis (Appendix D)
6. Measurement and verification (M&V) plan (Section 6.4) — how actual fuel savings will be measured, recorded, and reported during the demonstration
7. Project plan and schedule — installation plan and milestones demonstrating the project can be placed into service on schedule
8. Project budget and budget narrative (Appendix E)
9. Applicant qualifications, relevant experience, and key personnel
10. Required certifications

8.2 Format and Submission

• Submit a single PDF file. Use 8.5" × 11" pages, minimum 11-point font, and 1-inch margins.
• Submit electronically to hello@energyefficient.fish no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on October 2, 2026.
• Proposals received after the deadline may be deemed non-responsive.

9 Evaluation and Selection

9.1 Threshold (Pass/Fail) Review

Proposals are first screened for completeness and eligibility. To advance to scoring, a proposal must:

• Be submitted by an eligible applicant (Section 4);
• Identify a specific qualifying Massachusetts vessel with a signed owner Letter of Commitment;
• Address at least one eligible project category (Section 5);
• Have a total project cost of $300,000 or less;
• Provide a net fuel savings estimate using the required methodology and fuel units (Section 6.2);
• Include a comprehensive budget (Section 6.3);
• Demonstrate that the project can be placed into service on time; and
• Be received complete and on time.

9.2 Scoring Criteria

Proposals that pass threshold review are scored on a 100-point scale:

9.3 Selection Process

Proposals will be scored by an evaluation committee convened by GFWDP. The Program may request clarifications or brief interviews, and may negotiate scope and budget with one or more applicants before award. In addition to scores, the Program may consider portfolio balance across the three project categories, the strong preference for total project costs under $250,000, and the goal of demonstrating a range of replicable solutions across the Massachusetts fleet. GFWDP reserves sole discretion in making final award decisions.

10 Contract Terms and Administration

The successful applicant(s) will enter into a written, fixed-price contract with GFWDP, with payments tied to the deliverables and milestones described in Section 3.1. Because this Program is federally funded, each contract will include the federal contract provisions applicable to procurements under the prime award, which may include provisions required by the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and applicable nondiscrimination and recordkeeping requirements. Contractors will be expected to:

• Implement the approved measurement and verification (M&V) plan and report actual fuel use and savings data;
• Deliver progress reports and a final demonstration report, including verified net fuel savings, as contract deliverables;
• Share the operational and energy-use data collected under the M&V plan with the Program. The Program will treat vessel-level operational data as confidential and will publish project results only in anonymized or aggregated form; fishing-location and catch data will not be published. Contractors agree to permit GFWDP and the funding agency to use and publish such anonymized, non-proprietary results and energy-savings data for educational and Program-evaluation purposes;
• Maintain appropriate insurance and comply with all applicable maritime, safety, and environmental requirements; and
• Maintain records and cooperate with any required monitoring or audit.

11 Questions and Contact

All questions regarding this RFP should be directed in writing to the contact below. To ensure fairness, the Program will post written responses to substantive questions; applicants should not rely on oral representations. Written questions for the consolidated response should be submitted by September 7, 2026.

12 Reservation of Rights and General Provisions

By submitting a proposal, applicants acknowledge and agree that GFWDP reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to: amend, suspend, or cancel this RFP at any time; extend or modify any deadline; request clarifications or additional information; waive minor irregularities; reject any or all proposals; fund all, some, or none of the proposals received; fund a project in whole or in part; and negotiate terms with one or more applicants. This RFP does not commit GFWDP to make any award or to reimburse any costs incurred in preparing a proposal. All proposals become the property of GFWDP. Applicants should mark any genuinely proprietary or confidential information; the Program will treat such information consistent with applicable law and its obligations to the funding agency.

Appendices

The forms below are provided as templates. Appendices A and B support the optional Round 1 matchmaking process; Appendices C–F are part of the full proposal.

Appendix A — Pre-Proposal Concept Proposal Form

For technology providers, OEMs, and developers participating in the Round 1 matchmaking process. Use of this form is optional and fields are suggested. This form is not a proposal and does not need to name a specific vessel.

Appendix B — Vessel Profile Form

For vessel owners interested in hosting a demonstration project. Use of this form is optional and fields are suggested. Used to match owners with technology providers during Round 1.

Appendix C — Full Proposal Cover Sheet

Appendix D — Net Fuel Savings Worksheet

Express all values in physical fuel units (for example, gallons of diesel) — not in dollars and not in electrical energy units. Show the data sources and assumptions behind each figure.

Appendix E — Project Budget Template

Include all project costs regardless of funding source. Attach a short budget narrative explaining the basis for each line.

Appendix F — Vessel Owner Letter of Commitment (Template)

To be completed on the vessel owner's letterhead (or signed below) and included with the full proposal.

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