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Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
The DHCD’s Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides eligible households with full-scale home energy conservation services. The program is administered by a network of local agencies, and includes weatherization services provided by approved contractors. 
Eligibility Requirements
In order for contractors to be eligible to perform work for the DHCD Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), each contractor must meet Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Labor (DOL), and DHCD training qualification requirements. These requirements include:
Insurance
Workers Compensation ($500,000)
General Liability ($1,000,000)
Automobile ($1,000,000)
License
Must have an Unrestricted Construction Supervisors License (CSL) or Insulation Specialty License (ICSL). Information can be found here.
Must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). Information can be found here.
Lead Safety
Must Have a Lead Safe Certificate. Information can be found here.
Equipment
Must have:
Insulation Blowing Machines (Force 1 or 2, AccuOne) capable of dense-packing sidewall insulation
HEPA Vacuum
Blower Door diagnostic kit
Power and hand tools, ladders, safety equipment
Essential Reading
The DHCD’s Technical Manual for the Weatherization Assistance Program can be downloaded here. All contractor applicants are expected to familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures in the manual.
Application Procedure
Contractors looking for work with the DHCD Weatherization Program should:
- Contact their local weatherization agency (see list here ). All work for the DHCD must be authorized by the local weatherization agency, and all contracts are between the local weatherization agency and the contractor.
- After providing verification that they have the required insurance, licensing, certification, and equipment, the contractor will then be asked by the local weatherization agency to demonstrate competency in dense pack insulation installation, air sealing using blower door equipment, and other basic weatherization methods. Competency will be evaluated during an on-site visit by an agency representative.
- If the contractor is able to perform to DHCD standards, the weatherization agency will then arrange a similar site visit with the contractor and the DHCD to demonstrate competency and familiarity with the DHCD weatherization requirements (by then, contractor should be familiar with DHCD technical manual, as noted above). A one day training session with an air sealing/insulation consultant may be required as part of the weatherization contractor approval.
- Once a contractor has been approved and signs a contract with the local weatherization agency, a contractor can then be assigned work within the DHCD weatherization program. If contractors are interested in working with other agencies, they should contact them directly.
Labor Requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
All American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contracts are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), and therefore, all workers must be paid prevailing wages as determined by the Dept of Labor. Weekly payroll certification is also required under DBA. The wages are listed on their website. DBA wage requirements in the weatherization program are for the duration of the ARRA funding only. The wage requirements are based on the actual wage surveys conducted by the DOL are in line with industry payscales.
For more information, please read the following document:
Working in Weatherization in Massachusetts