(1) The department, in consultation with the commission, may contract with different public or private entities or local units of government to provide energy assistance.

    (2) The department shall include clear performance metrics in any contract with an entity under this section.

    (3) The department, in consultation with the commission, shall set a minimum allocation of funds that must be used by entities with which the department contracts under subsection (1) for energy assistance.

    (4) By October 1, 2025, the department, in consultation with the commission, shall provide guidelines on the provision of self-sufficiency services. Beginning with the program year that begins on October 1, 2026, the guidelines must be incorporated into the performance metrics developed under subsection (2).