Maryland BEPS Third-Party Verification requirements and RFP explainer

To meet the Maryland requirement for third-party verification, building owners will need to have a qualified third party review their building’s benchmarking data entered into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. This requirement is intended to verify the quality of the report and ensure accuracy of the data. Verification occurs before the benchmarking report is submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

Verification requirements are outlined in the Maryland Benchmarking Guide and the regulations technical memorandum TM 24-01.

For compliance with Maryland regulations, third-party verifiers must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) issued within the United States
• Licensed Architect issued within the United States
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
• Building Energy Assessment Professional
• MDE does not currently recognize any other licenses or training program credentials.

In Maryland, the verifier can be the same third-party consultant that also may conduct benchmarking for the building as long as they meet the required credentials. The verifier cannot be in-house staff of the building owner or manager regardless of credentials.

The downloadable scope of work included in the RFP provides a deep dive into how the process works, but at a high level:

1. The third-party verifier reviews property data provided by the owner and compares it to the entry in Portfolio Manager. Information reviewed includes basic property information, property use details such as property type, gross floor area, occupancy, and energy consumption. An onsite review is not a requirement of Maryland’s BEPS.
2. Based on its review, the verifier provides a list of corrections and adjustments for the building owner or their representative to make in Portfolio Manager. If there are significant changes, additional tasks may be triggered – which may necessitate onsite review.
3. Once those corrections are made, the verifier checks the updated entry for accuracy. Once those corrections have been verified, the verifier can then generate, review, and sign the ENERGY STAR Data Verification Checklist, and send to the owner to keep in their records.
4. The verifier completes the process by adding their verification information to the property in Portfolio Manager which marks the building as verified.

Verification requirements are outlined in the Maryland Benchmarking Guide and the regulations technical memorandum TM 24-01.

To hire a third-party verifier, follow these key steps:

1. Download a copy of the Hub’s sample RFP.
2. Customize the RFP to your building by filling in your information in the highlighted areas of the document. We’ve included a separate scope of work that can be downloaded for optional additional tasks if needed. This would most likely be priced out after initial review if significant discrepancies are identified.
3. Read through the owner responsibilities in the RFP and make sure you have the staff and documents the verifier will need to certify your data. For more information on how owners collect and provide good supporting data, see additional guidance below.
4. Contact third-party verifiers with the right credentials to bid on your job. You can use the Hub’s Find-A-Vendor portal or the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Service and Product Provider Directory to connect with a verifier. Upload your RFP under the Owner Submission Form and we will help connect you with a third-party verifier that meets the right credentials.
5. Get at least three bids from third-party verifiers. You can evaluate the bids by asking for references from other building owners who’ve used their services, and see if the business has verified reviews online for this or similar scope such as benchmarking. Based on reviews, hire the verifier and make sure you both sign the contract and agree to a payment schedule and terms.

Verification requirements are outlined in the Maryland Benchmarking Guide and the regulations technical memorandum TM 24-01.

While the June 1, 2026 deadline may seem far off, the Hub recommends starting the process to hire a third-party verifier and collecting the appropriate documentation before the start of the year to ensure you have a qualified consultant lined up and there’s plenty of time for review. All Maryland BEPS covered buildings will be going through the same process, so as the deadline approaches, verifiers will be busier. Avoid the crunch by getting started early! And remember that while benchmarking is an annual requirement, third-party verification is required every five years.