Web Developer for Heat Pump Incentive Randomization Platform (Academic Project)

# Project Overview We are an academic research team seeking an experienced web developer to build a standalone randomization platform for a heat pump incentive program in coordination with a municipal government. This is a fixed-price contract for a well-defined project supporting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) embedded in a municipal energy efficiency initiative. Estimated cost $15,000-$35,000. # What We Need A web-based platform with two user portals: (1) Household Portal: Email verification for authentication (verification code sent to email address), address entry with autocomplete validated against pre-loaded eligible address database, deterministic random assignment to rebate tiers (Standard or Enhanced), and confirmation display/email. Optional: password-protected login if email verification proves insufficient during testing. (2) Contractor Portal: Password-protected lookup interface where each contractor can create their own account credentials (anticipated 10-20 contractor organizations, each with multiple workers who may share the organization's login). Contractors can look up any address to verify customer rebate tier assignment and eligibility. # Key Technical Requirements * Deterministic randomization: Same address must always receive the same treatment assignment (use address hash or similar) * Address standardization and validation against pre-loaded CSV (~100,000 eligible addresses) * Email verification system for household authentication * Cloud-hosted standalone database (not on city servers) * Mobile-responsive design, clean and professional interface * Admin interface for CSV upload and data export * Approximately 12 months hosting and technical support included * Multi-language support (English/Spanish) # Project Details * Timeline: Development complete by end of September 2026 (~12-16 weeks from contract start) * Scale: Academic research project, not production-scale. Anticipated users: 500-2,000 households, 10-20 contractors * Budget: Fixed-price contract. Please provide detailed breakdown in your proposal. * Deliverables: Fully functional platform, source code with repository access, documentation, 12 months hosting and support # What We're Looking For * Experience building web applications with address validation/autocomplete * Strong portfolio demonstrating similar projects (please include links) * Familiarity with randomization algorithms and ensuring reproducibility * Experience with cloud hosting platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, etc.) * Excellent communication skills and ability to work with non-technical stakeholders * Available to start within 2-3 weeks of contract award * Must be based in the US and have a US work authorization. # To Apply Please submit a proposal including: * Proposed high-level architecture * Key tech stack choices and why * Approach to randomization, contractor verification, data security * Estimated timeline and cost range * Links to 2-3 similar completed projects Note: This is an academic research project supporting a municipal program. We value simplicity, reliability, and clear communication. The platform does not need to scale beyond the stated user numbers but must be robust and maintainable.