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2025 Edition Now Available: Performance Assurance Planning Guide for UESCs
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) recently released the updated 2025 edition of its Performance Assurance Planning Guide, a critical resource for federal agencies looking to maximize the success of their Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs).
As agencies pursue ambitious energy efficiency goals, ensuring that performance expectations are met throughout the life of a project is more important than ever. This latest edition of the guide is designed to help agencies plan and implement robust performance assurance strategies that drive long-term savings and energy performance.
The 2025 guide offers an enhanced, comprehensive framework of best practices, checklists, and step-by-step protocols tailored to the unique conditions and requirements of individual UESC projects. It addresses key project phases alongside actionable guidance that supports accountability and transparency at every step.
Whether you’re launching a new UESC or managing an existing one, this guide is an invaluable tool for ensuring that projects meet or exceed their projected outcomes. With a focus on aligning technical, contractual, and operational practices, the updated guide empowers energy managers to make informed decisions and foster greater confidence in project results.
Corrosion can significantly reduce the performance and lifespan of solar PV systems—especially in high-risk environments like coastal or industrial areas. A new FEMP resource provides practical guidance for federal sites on how to assess, prevent, and manage corrosion risks.
Explore best practices for site assessments (including a handy checklist), mitigation strategies, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) to keep your PV arrays operating efficiently for the long term.
Learn more.
Updated Webpage: Federal Workplace Charging Program Guide
Federal agencies can now streamline their workplace vehicle charging policies with FEMP’s latest program guide. This resource provides recommended policy language to help agencies establish clear rules for charging privately owned vehicles (POVs) on government-owned or leased property.
Aligned with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, the guide covers requirements for installing, operating, and maintaining charging stations, including fee structures to recover associated costs. It’s an essential tool for facility managers, transportation coordinators, employees, and vendors navigating workplace charging at federal sites.
Understanding Retail Choice – Federal Energy Procurement in Competitive Markets
August 26 | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.2 IACET CEUs | Level: Introductory
In states with competitive electricity markets, federal agencies have options for procuring energy—either through the local utility’s default supply or a third-party supplier. This FEMP training will help energy and procurement professionals understand how retail choice works, assess supply options, manage price risk, and reduce costs.
The session will also cover how to leverage contracting support from the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to simplify the procurement process and access competitively priced supply contracts.
Reviewing Energy Performance Contracts for Price Reasonableness
September 3 | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.2 IACET CEUs | Level: Introductory
Open to all | Cost: None
This training will help participants understand how to assess price reasonableness in energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and utility energy service contracts (UESCs). Attendees will be introduced to FEMP’s new Price Reasonableness Resource Guide, with insights into key factors for making informed, cost-effective contracting decisions. Join this training to strengthen your ability to evaluate energy performance contracts with confidence.
Utility Open House for Federal Customers Featuring Pepco
September 4 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. ET
Hybrid: Virtual and In-Person in Washington, D.C.
0.4 IACET CEUs | Level: Introductory
Open to all | Cost: None
The Utility Open Houses for Federal Customers initiative serves as a platform for facilitating connections and informed discussions between federal agencies and utility providers, as well as raising awareness and educating federal agencies about utility programs to advance key federal energy objectives. By working with utilities, federal agencies can access cost-effective energy solutions, optimize operations, and strengthen energy infrastructure. These partnerships help agencies navigate the evolving energy landscape while maximizing savings and operational reliability.
Interested in attending in-person? Please email Andrew Grejda to inquire about the in-person event. All in-person attendees must contact Andrew in advance.
REopt Federal User Session #2
September 10 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Virtual | Not accredited | Level: Introductory
Open to federal employees | Cost: None
FEMP is excited to offer additional support for Federal REopt® web tool users! Our Federal REopt User Support Sessions are a chance for users to gain experience with REopt and its energy cost savings and resilience evaluation capabilities for on-site distributed energy resources. The sessions are open to all Federal employees and will include:
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An overview of the latest tool features, new resources, and trainings
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Federal REopt case studies and success stories, when users can share their own stories and hear from peers
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Opportunities to provide user feedback on tool capabilities and usability
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Time for questions and answers, fielded by FEMP and NREL experts.
Planning for Wind Resilience – Purchasing Durable, 30-Year Solar PV Systems
September 10 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.1 IACET CEUs | Level: Intermediate
FEMP is hosting a live training session focused on procuring solar PV systems designed to withstand long-term wind exposure and deliver lasting resilience. Wind smart systems not only reduce lifecycle costs and prevent damage but also enhance agency mission readiness and energy security.
Attend this training to gain practical guidance on purchasing durable PV systems that provide reliable performance for 30 to 50 years.
FAST Fleet Data Automation, Streamlining, and Quality Workshop
September 16 | 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.2 IACET CEUs | Level: Intermediate
High-quality fleet data is critical for reducing costs, improving efficiency, and ensuring accurate reporting. This interactive workshop will guide participants through common data quality issues in the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST) and present actionable strategies for improvement.
Attendees will rotate through breakout rooms focusing on specific data challenges, participate in solution-focused discussions, and walk away with practical tools to support automation and streamlined fleet reporting.
Understanding Outage Risk and the Value of Resilience for Federal Facilities
September 17 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.2 IACET CEUs | Level: Intermediate
Open to all | Cost: None
Federal facility energy managers play a critical role in ensuring operational continuity, even when power isn’t guaranteed. Join this session to explore how to better understand, plan for, and respond to power outages at your facilities. The discussion will introduce key concepts in grid reliability and resilience, offer methods to assess local outage risks, and provide strategies for evaluating your utility provider's performance. You’ll also gain practical tools and questions to guide more effective engagement with utilities and support smarter, location-specific resilience planning and investment decisions.
Register to attend.
Building Re-tuning Simulator (BRS) Training
September 18 | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Virtual | 0.2 IACET CEUs | Level: Introductory
Open to all | Cost: None
Learn how to identify low- and no-cost energy-saving opportunities using the free, online Building Re-Tuning Simulator (BRS). This hands-on training introduces you to building automation system data, energy conservation measures, and how to navigate the BRS dashboard.
Technical Resilience Navigator Office Hours
September 18 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
Virtual | Not accredited | Level: Introductory
Open to all | Cost: None
Curious about TRN Lite or the latest tool updates? Join this informal session for a quick demonstration of new features like resilience solution exports and risk modeling for critical loads and get your questions answered live. Whether you're new to the tool or looking to go deeper, this is your chance to engage directly with experts.
Get Involved in the Data Center Energy Practitioner Training Program
Data centers are among the most energy-intensive facilities—making them prime candidates for energy efficiency improvements. However, conducting effective energy assessments requires specialized knowledge and training.
To support this need, the U.S. Department of Energy and industry partners developed the Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) Training Program. This program certifies professionals who are qualified to assess energy performance and identify savings opportunities in data centers.
Live online courses are offered every other month, providing a pathway to becoming a certified DCEP and helping advance energy savings across the sector.
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