The U.S. Department of Energy recently published a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Renew America's Schools program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill provides $500 million for grants for energy improvements at public school facilities for the five (5) year period encompassing FY 22 through FY 26. The program supports "projects that enable replicable and scalable impacts, create innovative, sustaining partnerships, leverage funding and economies of scale, focus on disadvantaged communities, improve student, teacher, and occupant health, enrich learning and growth, assist schools that serve as community assets (e.g., neighborhood cooling centers or disaster recovery shelters), and are crafted thoughtfully within the context of school facilities (e.g., procurement restraints, construction windows, etc.).

The total funding for this round of the program is approximately $80,000,000. Project awards may range from $500,000 to $15 million. The local agency match is at least 5% of the total costs. 

Facilities Services is proposing to submit a "Energy Makeover Demonstration Program" for Brevard Public Schools. The program will develop a menu of building system improvement projects at three demonstration schools (Stone Middle School, Endeavour Elementary School and Madison Middle School) that reflect needs already identified through the Facility Assessments, the Security Assessments, work order history and equipment condition data that ALSO have energy efficiency benefits.  The program will include (but not be limited to) improvements such as:

• Upgrading, insulating, sealing roofs
• Sealing the buildings including gap sealing and door upgrades
• Upgrading to high energy efficiency windows with window coverings
• Upgrading interior and exterior lighting to LED with occupancy sensors and controls
• Hot water system upgrades
• HVAC system improvements

Facilities Services has engaged TLC Engineering Solutions under their continuing contract for commissioning services to retro-commission (engineering review of primary building systems) the three prototype schools now in order to better prepare the full application with specific projects and cost estimates. This document will be used by BPS to develop capital improvement projects whether or not the grant project is funded. The draft concept paper is attached, but will be updated once the initial results of the retro-commissioning report are received.

The program cost estimate is expected to be $13-$15 million. The local match is available through budgeted sales surtax and capital funds. No additional District funds are anticipated for match. The implementation time line is 2-3 years to completion depending upon the availability of roofing, mechanical and electrical equipment/materials, procurement processes and whether construction can occur in an occupied building. 

The benefits of these improvements will include:

• Lower electrical consumption and cost
• Improved learning environment – especially relating to lighting
• Reduced opportunity for mold growth and other indoor air quality (IAQ) issues by reducing water intrusion
• Improved security – especially relating to window and storefront door coverings
• Improved safety and security– especially relating to exterior lighting
• Reduced reactive maintenance – transition to proactive maintenance of building systems

The project is a demonstration program, such that before and after data will be collected and analyzed and projects can be scaled and replicated at other schools. Likely data collection may include:

• Power consumption
• Maintenance work order frequency and severity; maintenance costs
• IAQ complaints
• Student test scores
• Teacher turnover rates

Based on data and analysis, the most impactful project types can be replicated at other schools through capital and surtax investments.

The concept paper is due January 26, 2023. Applicants will be invited to submit a full application if their concept paper is accepted. The full application is due April 23, with notification of award expected in June. Major improvements at the schools would not likely start until summer 2024.

Administrative Procedure 6111 requires Board approval to submit the grant. Should the grant be awarded, Board approval will be requested to accept the grant.

Approve submission of the Energy Makeover Demonstration Program for Brevard Public Schools concept paper and grant application in response to the U.S. Department of Energy Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0002756 Renew America's Schools.