Small Building Re-tuning Workforce Development Program

The Small Building Re-tuning Workforce Development Program is a funding opportunity issued by the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), aimed at supporting the development of a skilled labor force capable of delivering energy efficiency upgrades in small buildings ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 square feet. The initiative is aligned with the District’s goals under the Clean Energy DC 2.0 plan, which targets carbon neutrality by 2045, and anticipates the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) that will apply to buildings between 25,000–50,000 ft² beginning in 2027 and 10,000–25,000 ft² in 2033. The total funding available for this initiative is $450,000, and the application deadline is September 22, 2025. The program seeks to engage a single grantee who will design and deliver a training and job placement project for both entry-level workers and seasoned professionals. Training activities may include workforce needs assessments, creation and implementation of a credential-based training curriculum (in-person or virtual), and partnerships with trade organizations and schools. The curriculum is expected to cover technical topics such as HVAC systems, energy auditing, building automation, and retro-commissioning standards. Graduates of the program will be equipped with nationally-recognized credentials and be prepared to assist in energy conservation upgrades, particularly for buildings subject to BEPS regulations. Allowable uses of funds include personnel, supplies, training materials, stipends for participants, and wraparound support services. Non-allowable uses include lobbying, entertainment, major capital equipment purchases (e.g., vehicles), and land acquisition. Funding will generally be disbursed on a reimbursement basis, although limited advances may be allowed under specific conditions. The award period begins on the date of the grant award and runs through September 30, 2026, with possible extensions contingent on DOEE's evaluation of performance and fund availability. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, faith-based organizations, universities and educational institutions, private enterprises, and government agencies. All applications must be submitted via the DOEE Grants Application Portal. The application must include a project summary, narrative proposal, budget with justification, work plan, key personnel bios, letters of support from any partners, and various compliance documents such as a Certificate of Good Standing, IRS W-9, Clean Hands Certificate, and financial statements. Applicants must also be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Applications will be reviewed by a panel based on criteria such as the quality of the proposed work plan (25 points), budget clarity (15 points), experience with training and job placement (30 points), curriculum design (10 points), needs assessment (10 points), and familiarity with BEPS (5 points). A minimum of three new credential-based courses must be offered, with at least 10 credentialed graduates and job placements for at least five participants across at least five businesses. A pre-application webinar will be held on September 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. via WebEx. All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on September 22, 2025. Questions can be directed to 2025RetuningWFD.grants@dc.gov, and updates will be posted to the DOEE grants webpage.

Applicants are encouraged to register early for the portal, attend the optional webinar, ensure compliance documentation is current, and submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.