HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract - MC Squared - Community Choice Electricity Aggregation (RFP #25-62) Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
CC: Members of Administration and Public Works Committee
From: Cara Pratt, Sustainabilty and Resilence Coordinator
Subject: Approval of a Contract with MC Squared for Community Choice
Electricity Aggregation (RFP 25-62)
Date: January 12, 2026
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with
MC Squared for Community Choice Electricity Aggregation.
Funding Source:
N/A
CARP:
Renewable Energy
Council Action:
For Action
Summary:
The Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) calls for the City to leverage existing
programs, such as Electricity Aggregation, to better achieve the City's goals. The City's
Electricity Aggregation Program has been in operation since 2012. An initial 30-month
agreement with MC Squared Energy Services LLC has been in effect since July 2021, and
was extended for one year, then for six months, and finally for an additional year in June
2025.
Two firms submitted proposals:
Table 1. Firms
Firm Address
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC 500 W. Madison St., Suite 1470, Chicago, IL, 60661
Doc ID: a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
Vistra Corp (Dynegy Energy Services) 168 E Market Street, Akron, OH, 44308
Proposals were reviewed by:
• Cara Pratt, Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer
• Kirsten Drehobl Vega, Sustainability and Resilience Coordinator
• Cheryl Stuart, Purchasing Specialist
After evaluating each proposal, the Committee assigned the following scores to each firm:
Table 2. Proposal Evaluations
Alternative
Retail
Electricity
Service
Provider
Qualifications
and
Expertise
Project
Approach Project
Team Price Organization
and
Completeness
of Proposal
Willingness
to Execute
the City of
Evanston’s
Professional
Services
Agreement
M/W/D/EBE Total
Score
MC
Squared 15 20 10 13.5 8.5 8 8 83
Dynegy 12.5 3.5 7 0 0 7 7 37
The City requested that responders submit pricing for Fixed Pricing, ComEd Price Match
(Partial Load), and ComEd Price Match (Full Load). MC Squared was the only firm to submit
pricing.
Table 3. Price Options
Firm Fixed
Price
($/MWh)
12
months
Fixed
Price
($/MWh)
24
months
Fixed
Price
($/MWh)
36
months
Partial
Load-12
months
Partial
Load- 24
months
Partial
Load- 36
months
Full
Load- 12
months
Full
Load- 24
months
Full
Load- 36
months
MC
Squared $105.50 $107.50 No bid $150,000
annual $150,000
annual,
$240,000
total
$150,000
annual,
$450,000
total
No bid No bid No bid
Staff recommends a 36-month contract beginning in June 2026, with ComEd Price Match for
Partial Load, with MC Squared. MC Squared offers enrolled customers a ComEd Price Match
Offer. All enrolled Evanston accounts will continue to pay exactly the same price for electricity
as they would pay to ComEd. Furthermore, the program will continue to operate with an "opt-
out" structure, and communications will be mailed citywide to communicate the contract
extension if approved. The City expects to receive $150,000 in a Civic Grant Contribution
annually. Historically, the City has used the Civic Grant contributions to purchase renewable
energy credits (RECs) on behalf of the enrolled Evanston accounts. To date, the City has
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used $982,246.8 of the $1,350,000 in Civic Grant Contributions to purchase RECs, and the
remaining $418,128 has been allocated to the Sustainability Fund.
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Revised 06-26-2025
Price/Cost Forms
Fixed Price Proposal
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
Fixed Price Proposals: Bidders are to indicate the Fixed Price at which it will provide energy supply, program management an d other services under the
Power Supply Agreements with the City
Option Description Fixed Price
($/MWh)
Fixed Price
For RFP Response: A full-requirements, fixed-price energy supply price for all eligible customers that includes all
charges related to energy commodity supply as well as program outreach and management.
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend that the City Council execute a contract with the ARES at its next
scheduled meeting
12 Months:
24 Months:
36 Months:
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
Attachment 1
$107.50
$105.50
No bid
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ComEd Price Match Proposal (Partial Load)
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
ComEd Price Match Proposal (Partial Load): Bidders are to indicate whether they can deliver energy supply and program management services to a
portion of Eligible Members at a price that matched exactly the monthly ComEd Price to Compare to a subset of eligible accounts to provide energy
supply, and provide a municipal contribution to the City
Option Description
Confirmation of ability
to Match ComEd
Monthly Rate (Y/N)
Annual Municipal
Contribution
($)
ComEd Price
Match
For RFP Response: A full-requirements variable-price energy supply for selected
eligible Members on an opt-out basis and any other eligible Member on an opt -in
basis that includes all charges related to energy commodity supply as well as
program outreach and management. The variable price is to match the ComEd
Price to Compare plus or minus the monthly Purchased Electricity Adjustment.
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend that the City Council execute a
contract with the ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months:
24 Months:
36 Months:
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
$150,000 annual
$150,000 annual$450,000 total over the 36 month term
$150,000 annual $300,000 total over the 24 month term
Y
Y
Y
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ComEd Price Match Proposal (Full Load)
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
ComEd Price Match Proposals (Full Load : Bidders are to indicate whether they can deliver energy supply and program management services to all
Eligible Members at a price that matched exactly the monthly ComEd Price to Compare to a subset of eligible accounts to provide energy supply, and
provide a municipal contribution to the City
Option Description
Confirmation of ability
to Match ComEd
Monthly Rate for all
Eligible Members (Y/N)
Annual Municipal
Contribution
($)
ComEd Price
Match
For RFP Response: A full-requirements variable-price energy supply for all eligible
Members on an opt-out basis and any other eligible customer on an opt -in basis
that includes all charges related to energy commodity supply as well as program
outreach and management. The variable price is to match the ComEd Price to
Compare plus or minus the monthly Purchased Electricity Adjustment.
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend that the City Council execute a
contract with the ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months:
24 Months:
36 Months:
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
No bidN
N
N
No bid
No bid
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Sustainable Energy Supply Proposal: REC-only Approach 1
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
REC-Only Approach 1: Bidders are to indicate cost associated with matching 100% of all energy delivered under a Fixed Price agre ement with approved
Renewable Energy Credits
Option Description
Sourcing of Proposed
REC (Source Type,
State)
Unit Cost per REC
($)
REC-only
Approach 1
For RFP Response: representing(“RECs”)the energy creditsRenewable
environmental attributes from electricity in an amount equal to 100% of the annual
load of all accounts that participate in the City’s aggregation program. To be clear,
the volumes of REC provided through the REC -Only Approach 1 are in addition to
the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard. To support the City’s participation in the
EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program, the voluntary RECs purchased shall be
Green-e compliant (www.green-e.org ) and sourced from wind or solar resources.
The voluntary RECs shall be the vintage year in which the electricity is consumed by
Evanston’s aggregated load, or up to six months prior to that vintage year or up to
three months after the vintage year. Bidders must identify the location(s) of
source(s) for the RECs they include in their offers (e.g., state of origin).
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend that the City Council execute a
contract with the ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months: 12 Months:
24 Months:
24 Months:
36 Months: 36 Months:
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
$3.50 per REC
No bid
MRETS Wind GE (MISO States)
No bid
MRETS Wind GE (MISO States)
$4.00 per REC
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Sustainable Energy Supply Proposal: REC-only Approach 2
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
REC-Only Approach 2: Bidders are to indicate cost associated with providing a fixed volume of Renewable Energy Credits to the Cit y
Option Description
Sourcing of Proposed
REC (Source Type,
State)
Unit Cost per REC
($)
REC-only
Approach 2
For Response:RFP representing(“RECs”)the energyRenewable credits
environmental attributes from electricity in an amount equal to 100,000 on an
annualized basis. To be clear, the volumes of REC provided through the REC -Only
Approach 2 are in addition to the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard. To support
the City’s participation in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program, the
voluntary RECs purchased shall be Green-e compliant (www.green-e.org) from
wind or solar. The voluntary RECs shall be the vintage year in which the electricity is
consumed by Evanston’s aggregated load, or up to six months prior to that vintage
year or up to three months after the vintage year. Bidders must identify the
location(s) of source(s) for the RECs they include in their offers (e.g., state of
origin)..
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend that the City Council execute a
contract with the ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months: 12 Months:
24 Months:
24 Months:
36 Months:
36 Months:
$350,000 per 100,000 RECs
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
MRETS Wind GE (MISO States)
MRETS Wind GE (MISO States)
$400,000 per 100,000 RECs
No bid No bid
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Sustainable Energy Supply Proposal: Unbundled Supply from Renewable Energy Resources
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
Unbundled Supply from Renewable Energy Resources : Bidders are to indicate cost associated with providing a portion of Energy Supply from an
approved renewable energy resource
Option Description
Sourcing of Energy
(Source Type, State)
Unit Cost
($/MWh)
REC Included?
(Y/N)
Unbundled
Supply from
Renewable
Energy
Resources
For RFP Response: Electricity supply (with or
wind or solarassociatedwithoutRECs)from
generation resources that meet the definition of
the voluntary RECs defined in Section 2.2.1 above.
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend
that the City Council execute a contract with the
ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months: 12 Months: 12 Months:
24 Months: 24 Months: 24 Months:
36 Months: 36 Months: 36 Months:
No bid No bid No bid
No bid No bid No bid
No bidNo bidNo bid
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
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Sustainable Energy Supply Proposal: Virtual net Metering Approach
Bidder Name: ______________________________________
Date Submitted: ____________________________________________
Authorized Representative: ___________________________
Virtual Net Metering Approach : Bidders are to indicate the volume and discount available from virtual net metering (“subscriptions”) that can be
provided to aggregation accounts
Option Description Sourcing of Credits
(Source Type, State)
Discount Basis
(% of Credits retained by
consumer)
REC Included?
(Y/N)
Virtual Net
Metering
Approach
For RFP Response: Virtual net metering credits
from are thatorsolarwindlocalresources
connected to the ComEd distribution system.
If Bidder is Selected: City staff will recommend
that the City Council execute a contract with the
ARES at its next scheduled meeting
12 Months: 12 Months: 12 Months:
24 Months: 24 Months: 24 Months:
36 Months: 36 Months: 36 Months:
No bid
No bid
No bid No bid
No bidNo bid
No bid No bid No bid
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC
December 23, 2025
Charles C. Sutton
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EXTENDED TERM AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 4
This Extended Term Agreement Amendment No. 4 (hereinafter the “ETA No. 4”), is entered as of this 13th day of January
2026 between the City of Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, an Illinois municipal corporation (hereinafter the “City”) and
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (hereinafter the “Supplier”) (each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, Supplier and City are the Parties to a Master Power Supply Agreement dated March 11, 2021 , amended on
September 12, 2023, and amended on September 26, 2024, and subsequently amended on March 31, 2025 (hereinafter the
“MPSA” and ETA Amendments No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 which are hereby incorporated by reference).
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. The Parties agree to replace Exhibit A with Amended Exhibit A to reflect the mutually agreed extended term of 36
months.
2. The Parties agree that by executing this ETA Amendment No. 4, the Extended Term will last until June 2029,
subject to future mutual extensions.
3. The Parties agree that Supplier has the right to conduct subsequent opt-out cycles to add eligible customer accounts
to Supplier Service and/or return eligible accounts to ComEd’s Tariffed Service during the term of the Agreement
twice annually traditionally in the spring and fall delivery periods. Supplier will provide at least thirty (30) days’
notice to the municipality prior to such events.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement to be effective on the date first written above.
Supplier: MC Squared Energy Services, LLC Municipality: City of Evanston
Signed: Signed:
________________________________ ________________________________
Printed/Typed Name: Printed/Typed Name:
Charles C. Sutton__________________ ________________________________
Title: Title:
President_________________________ ________________________________
Date: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________
Attest: Attest:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Signed Signed
_Sharon Alegado__________________ ____________________________________
Printed/Typed Name: Printed/Typed Name:
_Vice President, Sales and Marketing__ _____________________________________
Title: Title:
Docusign Envelope ID: C2B7C383-BA3C-4E86-8CE7-E872624C772C
1/13/2026
Luke Stowe
City Manager
Alexandra B. Ruggie
Corporation Counsel
01 / 22 / 2026
Doc ID: a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
AMENDED EXHIBIT A: (FOR COMED TARIFF PRICE MATCH
PROGRAM)
PRICE
Eligible Customers
Eligible Customers means residential and small commercial electricity customers receiving Retail Electric
Supply within the Aggregation Area who are eligible to participate in the Program pursuant to the
Aggregation Act and other requirements of law, including but not limited to 83 Ill. Admin. Code Part 470
and ComE d Rate GAP. Eligible Customers may be further classified as recipients of Retail Electric
Supply from Retail Electric Supplier or Tariff Service and by such standards as mutually agreed to by the
Retail Electric Supplier and the Government Aggregator and as carried out by the Retail Electric Supplier.
Except as otherwise required by the Aggregation Act or other requirements of law, Eligible Customers
includes all residential and small commercial customers within the Aggregation Area excluding: (1)
customers served by an ARES other than Retail Electric Supplier (other than the immediately previous
Retail Electric Supplier supplying the City’s Aggregation Program), including pending “with RES” status
as reported by ComEd; (2) customers served under ComEd’s Rate BESH, Rate RTOUPP, or Rider RRTP
supply service, (3) customers identified as PIPP or LIHEAP on the ComEd list ; and (4) customers enrolled
in a net metering program other than a Participating Customer.
Eligible Customers in the initial and subsequent opt-out cycles will be placed on Retail Electric Supply
service or Tariffed Service based on Retail Electric Supplier’s criteria and discretion including the
customer’s usage patterns and wholesale market conditions as determined by the Retail Electric Supplier.
Eligible Customers will be assessed the same Customer Class Price and will continue to receive monthly
invoice statements from ComEd without regard to whether they are served by Retail Electric Supplier or
on Utility Tariffed Service.
Eligible Customer Class Price:
Variable rate equal to the ComEd published tariff supply service costs including the Purchased Electricity
Charges (PEC), Transmission Service Charges (TSC) and the Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) for
each applicable month for the Term of the Agreement.
Customers on Tariffed Service will receive supply service from ComEd pursuant to the terms of ComE d’s
Rate BES.
Termination Fee for Withdrawing Customers:
No Earl y Termination Fee - $0.00 (Zero) per utility account.
Deliver y Term(s):
36 Months – June 2026 to June 2029
Docusign Envelope ID: C2B7C383-BA3C-4E86-8CE7-E872624C772C
Doc ID: a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
CIVIC GRANT AND REC PURCHASE PROGRAM (SPECIAL SERVICES)
Civic Grant Contribution:
Retail Electric Supplier agrees to provide an annual Net Civic Grant Contribution payment equal to the greater
of (i) $150,000.00 minus the costs of RECs procured by Retail Electric Supplier under the REC Purchase
Program identified below and (ii) $0.00 to the City for each Delivery Term within ninety (90) calendar days
after the conclusion of such Deliver y Term.
Notwithstanding the preceding, if the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.2.2 by City or 3.3.1 by
either Part y during a Deliver y Term, Retail Electric Supplier’s shall be obligated to provide a Net Prorated
Civic Grant Contribution payment to City within ninety (90) days of the last month of electricity delivery prior
to termination. The Net Prorated Civic Grant Contribution shall be calculated as follows:
NPCGC = (CGC x PM/TM) - RECC
Where:
• NPCGC is the Net Prorated Civic Grant Contribution
• CGC is $150,000.00 (one hundred fifty thousand US dollars)
• PM is the number of months from the beginning of Delivery Term through and including the last month
with deliveries by Retail Electric Supplier prior to termination
• TM is the total number of months in Delivery Term
• RECC is the total costs incurred and documented by Retail Electric Supplier under the REC Purchase
Program during that terminated Delivery Term
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Retail Electric Supplier may terminate in its sole
discretion, or mutually agree with City to adjust, the monthly Civic Contribution payment to the City if the
number of accounts that Retail Electric Supplier serves under this agreement falls below the higher of 8,500
accounts or 25% of the total number of accounts reported by ComEd pursuant to Rate GAP, because it would
not be financially viable for Retail Electric Supplier to continue funding below such number.
REC Purchase Program (Special Services):
At the sole direction of the City, Retail Electric Supplier will acquire and retire voluntary Green-E® Certified
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) on behalf of the Government Aggregator that meet the Sustainability
goals and objectives of the City including but not limited to Wind and Solar generation RECs. Retail Electric
Supplier shall from time to time and upon reasonable request by the City provide the City with information on
the prevailing market-based rates for the RECs by generation type, location and vintage on at least a quarterly
basis or as requested by the City at any time during the Delivery Term. Prior to Retail Electric Supplier
purchasing any RECs on behalf of the City, the City will provide a written request (via email) to Retail Electric
Supplier authorizing each REC purchase transaction. Such authorization shall document the City’s request to
acquire the RECs. Retail Electric Supplier will provide written confirmation (via email) of each REC purchase
and will provide documentation of the actual invoices paid by Retail Electric Supplier to acquire the RECs from
third-part y REC providers.
Docusign Envelope ID: C2B7C383-BA3C-4E86-8CE7-E872624C772C
Doc ID: a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
The funds to acquire any authorized REC purchases on behalf of the City during the Delivery Term will be
deducted from the Civic Grant Contribution amount identified above. In no case shall Retail Electric Supplier
be obligat ed to purchase RECs during a Delivery Term that, in aggregate, would exceed the Civic Grant
Contribution amount identified above. To the extent that the City does not request or authorize any REC
purchases during the Delivery Term, Retail Electric Supplier shall provide the Civic Grant Contribution
paym ent as outlined above.
Retail Electric Supplier: Government Aggregator:
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC City of Evanston
Signed: Signed:
Printed/Typed Name: Chuck Sutton Printed/Typed Name:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
Docusign Envelope ID: C2B7C383-BA3C-4E86-8CE7-E872624C772C
President
1/13/2026
Luke Stowe
City Manager
Approved as to form:
Alexandra B. Ruggie
Corporation Counsel
01 / 22 / 2026
Doc ID: a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
Contract with MC Squared for Community Choice Electricity...
Approval_of..._25-62_.pdf and 1 other
a42d624572c5a851811f42b858101df5a64ff89d
MM / DD / YYYY
Signed
01 / 21 / 2026
10:27:48 UTC-6
Sent for signature to Alexandra Ruggie
(aruggie@cityofevanston.org) and Luke Stowe
(lstowe@cityofevanston.org) from lthomas@cityofevanston.org
IP: 66.158.65.76
01 / 21 / 2026
10:29:12 UTC-6
Viewed by Alexandra Ruggie (aruggie@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 24.13.226.57
01 / 21 / 2026
10:29:19 UTC-6
Signed by Alexandra Ruggie (aruggie@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 24.13.226.57
01 / 22 / 2026
06:15:27 UTC-6
Viewed by Luke Stowe (lstowe@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 76.136.85.191
01 / 22 / 2026
06:16:08 UTC-6
Signed by Luke Stowe (lstowe@cityofevanston.org)
IP: 76.136.85.191
The document has been completed.01 / 22 / 2026
06:16:08 UTC-6