Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in the Residential Sector

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is planning to launch a procurement procedure for a study on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in the Residential Sector.

This announcement is made pursuant to Annex I.14 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, to award a low value contract as a result of a negotiated procedure. It is published ahead of the procurement procedure with basic information on the subject matter of the contract to give interested economic operators the possibility to express their interest to participate as tenderer in the subsequent procurement procedure.

All economic operators established in the European Union, European Economic Area and countries with a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, with proven experience in conducting studies on related topics, may express their interest to participate.

DESCRIPTION

Background

The objective of this study will be to assess the introduction of MEPS in different types of residential buildings and develop recommendations on how to design and implement MEPS, particularly in the residential sector, to deliver benefits to consumers and to mitigate risks for those in vulnerable situations.

The study will cover steps from the design, communication and implementation of MEPS to enforcement and compliance checks.

It will map existing schemes, identify good practices, look at the impact of introducing MEPS and assess possible necessary social safeguards that should accompany MEPS in order to ensure affordable housing for all.

Within this consumer group, two main profiles of occupants exist:

  • homeowners, who are the ones taking the investment decisions for their property;
  • tenants, who rely on the decision of the landlords.

The study will focus on the following key points of interest in the design and implementation process of MEPS for the two targeted groups:

Owners of an individual house or a flat in a multi-unit building:

  • Identification of the most relevant trigger points in the building lifecycle for MEPS implementation and compliance: property tax declarations, permit issuance, time of sale, etc.;
  • Definition of the needed action on energy efficiency: obligation of outputs or obligation of actions;
  • Development of a step-by-step guide for local government to implement a MEPS scheme.

Tenants:

  • Listing available housing benefits to alleviate rent costs;
  • Defining nudges and coercive measures for landlords while avoiding negative impact on tenants;
  • Identifying the basis on which to build a licensing service for landlords at municipal level;
  • Mapping which public services and departments are working on this and how they could adopt an out-of-silos approach.

Stakeholders' views will need to be considered (e.g. building managers of multi-units, condominiums) to successfully implement MEPS. Therefore, the study should also map the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.

Languages/geographical area

The study should be carried out in English, and should cover the European Union, while containing a geopolitical comparison of a group of selected EU countries to allow more in depth analysis.

Candidates expressing interest in participating in the subsequent call for tenders will be requested to propose such a group at a later stage.

Indicative calendar

  1. Launch of the invitation to tender: 3rd quarter 2021.
  2. Contract award: 4th quarter 2021.
  3. The final study report is expected within 9 months following the signature of the contract.
  4. Deadline for submission of tenders: October-November 2021.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that this announcement does not create any obligation for the EESC to launch a procurement procedure. The EESC will take the submitted information into account only to identify potential candidates. Expressing interest to participate in a negotiated procedure of this type does not create any legal right or legitimate expectation on the part of any economic operator, and the EESC has the right to cancel the procedure at any time. The procurement documents will only be provided to the identified candidates, and any tender received from a legal or natural person not invited to tender will be rejected.

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Contact

Expressions of interest to participate or requests for further information should be sent via the following contact form (CET, Brussels time):

Deadline

Monday, October 18, 2021 - 21:59