(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other contrary or inconsistent provision of law, a governmental unit may enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract with a qualified provider in accordance with the provisions of this act or in accordance with another statutorily authorized competitive process.

(b) Guaranteed contract.--If in accordance with applicable law the award of a contract by a governmental unit requires action at a public meeting, a governmental unit may award a guaranteed energy savings contract at a public meeting if it has provided public notice in the manner prescribed by the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84),¹ known as the Sunshine Act, the notice including the names of the parties to the contract and the purpose of the contract. For governmental units that are not required to take actions on contracts at public meetings, the governmental unit may award a guaranteed energy savings contract in accordance with the protocol for action on contracts adopted by the governmental unit and the requirements of this act.

(c) Request for proposals.--Before entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract under this section, a governmental unit shall issue a request for proposals. The governmental unit shall evaluate any proposal that meets the requirements of the governmental unit and is timely submitted by a qualified provider. The RFP shall be announced through a public notice from the governmental unit which will administer the program. The request for proposal shall include all of the following:

(d) Selection and notice.--The governmental unit shall select the qualified provider that best meets the needs of the governmental unit in accordance with criteria established by the governmental unit. For governmental units that are not required to take actions on contracts at public meetings, the governmental unit shall provide public notice of the award of the guaranteed energy savings contract within 30 days in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The notice shall include the names of the parties to the contract and the purpose of the contract. For governmental units that are required to take actions on contracts at public meetings, the public notice shall be made at least ten days prior to the meeting. After reviewing the proposals pursuant to subsection (e), a governmental unit may enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract with a qualified provider if it finds that the amount it would spend on the energy conservation measures recommended in the proposal would not exceed the amount to be saved in both energy and operational costs within a ten-year period from the date of installation, if the recommendations in the proposal were followed and the qualified provider provides a written guarantee that the energy or operating cost savings will meet or exceed the cost of the contract.

(f) Bond.--A qualified provider to whom a contract is awarded shall give a sufficient bond to the governmental unit for its faithful performance in accordance with the act of December 20, 1967 (P.L. 869, No. 385),² known as the Public Works Contractors' Bond Law of 1967.

(g) Award of contract.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law governing the letting of public contracts, a governmental unit may enter into a single guaranteed energy savings contract with each responsible provider selected through the request for proposals process in accordance with the provisions of this act.