(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, in recognition of Earth Day, the DC Department of General Services (DGS) announced the District government’s first-ever Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). DGS in partnership with its ESPC advisor NV5 awarded this contract to CMTA, an Energy Services Company (ESCO). This innovative model will cut energy waste, improve public facility conditions, and leverage innovative financing mechanisms to save taxpayer dollars.
Final site selection is still pending. The first group of sites may include Columbia Heights Education Campus in Ward 1, Kelly Miller Middle School in Ward 7, and Bald Eagle Recreation Center in Ward 8. Cumulatively, this first group is expected to deliver over $30 million in energy efficiency upgrades across more than 20 District government facilities without burdening residents financially.
“The ESPC model allows DGS to work with an ESCO to identify, design, and install efficiency upgrades, such as new HVAC systems, lighting, and advanced energy management systems that give facilities staff greater control over building performance, said DGS Director Delano Hunter. “These improvements are paid for over the life of the contract using the guaranteed savings on utility bills – meaning minimal upfront costs and leveraging of long term guaranteed savings with reduced risk to taxpayers and the District compared to traditional energy efficiency approaches.”
The upgrades will improve District government buildings—including schools and recreation centers—while supporting local jobs, strengthening energy resilience, and reducing long-term operations costs.
This performance contract represents a major step forward in how District government leverages private-sector expertise to improve public infrastructure. The first group of buildings will receive energy upgrades as part of a larger, coordinated effort to improve performance and reduce costs across District government facilities. By bundling upgrades across multiple sites, DGS can streamline planning, cut costs, and make a bigger impact rather than upgrading buildings one at a time. With a long-term contract now in place, DGS plans to roll out additional groups of buildings in the coming years, bringing these benefits to more communities across the District.
In addition to lowering utility bills, these upgrades are expected to reduce maintenance costs, extend the useful life of critical building systems, and improve the overall comfort, health, and reliability of government facilities. These improvements will also support better service delivery to residents by making the District’s public buildings more functional and responsive to community needs.
The ESPC model aligns public goals with private innovation, ensuring that the District benefits from cutting-edge technologies and best practices in energy management, all delivered under a performance guarantee that ensures taxpayers see a return on investment.
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