State Project Improvement (SPI) Grants

State Project Improvement (SPI) grants provide funding for state agencies to redesign building projects to increase energy efficiency and environmental performance. Funding covers the additional costs of more efficient project options, such as higher efficiency heating systems or windows, for projects at existing state-owned buildings. SPI grants cut energy costs, reduce pollution, and improve the health and comfort of state buildings in communities across the state.

Washington’s 2021 State Energy Strategy identifies energy efficiency in buildings as a core strategy for meeting climate goals. The strategy targets a 26% reduction in energy use in buildings by 2050. These targets and the work of the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office demonstrate the state’s commitment to lead by example with public capital projects.

Washington State Capitol building

SPI-024 Solicitation

$4,850,000 is available for the 2023-25 biennium to state agencies including public higher education institutions.

Applications will be reviewed for award on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available.

The period of performance will end June 30, 2025.  Projects may already be under contract or in construction at the time of application, however costs will not be reimbursed retroactively.

Applicants with Tier 1 buildings will be prioritized (those over 50,000 sq. ft. and required to comply with Washington’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard.)  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as long as funding remains. 

The application review period for all buildings – Tier 1, Tier 2 and other facilities – opened June 20.

Commerce will award funds to projects that meet the minimum qualifications and award criteria listed in the RFA. We will make awards in the order that we receive applications, until we have awarded all funding or the application deadline has passed.

Eligible projects

  • An eligible project starts with currently funded minor works, stand-alone, or emergency repair projects at facilities owned by an eligible agency. The project must repair or replace existing building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, insulation, windows or other mechanical systems. This is the “baseline project.”
  • Applicants will propose an improvement to the baseline project that increases energy efficiency and environmental performance. This is the “alternative project.” The grant will fund the increased costs of the alternative project over the baseline project. The award cannot be more than twice the total baseline project cost.
  • Additionally, if the project installs heating devices or equipment, the project must, whenever possible and most cost-effective, select devices and systems that do not use fossil fuels.
  • Applications will include:
    • Clean Buildings Form F for Tier 1 Buildings, LCCA Life Cycle Cost Tool for others
    • Description of baseline project, alternative project and budget

Tentative Schedule:

May 23, 2024            RFA and application release – accepted on a rolling basis

May 28, 2024            Pre-Application Conference – View the webinar recording

Early June                  Tier 1 applications reviewed on first-come, first-serve basis as funding available

June 20, 2024            Review of Tier 2 buildings begins as long as funding is available

Second half July       Award notifications as approved

Request for Applications (RFA) document and solicitation materials

2021 grant awardees

  • Department of Labor & Industries – $3,348,261
    For lighting and controls at the headquarters building to augment cooling system upgrades and increase energy efficiency reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Department of Transportation – $139,406
    For the Forest Learning Center at Toutle, to increase quality and efficiency of new heat pumps providing increased energy and operational savings.
  • Department of Transportation – $624,731
    For 14 radio sites around the state, to add heat pumps and cooling for increased ability to maintain effective operating conditions for monitoring equipment.

Quick Links

Contact

Program Manager
Kristen Kalbrener
energyretrofits@commerce.wa.gov
360-515-8112

Managing Director
Emily Salzberg
Emily.salzberg@commerce.wa.gov

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