Request for Proposals: On-Street Charging Solutions

Through this Request For Proposals (RFP), the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center seeks qualified consultants or professionals with experience in clean transportation, municipal procurement, on-street electric vehicle charging, and utility coordination to serve as a technical consultant and project manager under MassCEC's On-Street Charging Program. The program will provide technical and financial support for municipalities across Massachusetts interested in piloting On-Street Charging projects.

About the On-Street Charging Solutions Program

In January 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration provided American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to MassCEC to develop a program that will improve access to affordable EV infrastructure for residents in multi-unit dwellings. The Program aims to increase the supply of overnight curbside parking with an emphasis on positive impacts for Low Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC). In addition to increasing charging station access, MassCEC, in close collaboration with the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER), plans to pilot innovative On-Street Charging technologies, models, and ownership structures. Through this program, MassCEC intends to demonstrate successful deployments of innovative On-Street Charging options in order to promote wide-scale adoption across the Commonwealth.

Status
Open
Award Potential

$11,250,000

Application Deadline

September 4, 2024 by 4:00 PM ET

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Questions? Contact

Schedule

All dates are subject to change at MassCEC's discretion. 

Process step timing
Release of RFP July 26, 2024
Webinar August 8, 2024 @ 2:00 PM ET
Questions Due to MassCEC via Email (cleantransportation@masscec.com) August 23, 2024 by 4:00 PM ET
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website August 27, 2024
Proposals Due September 4, 2024 by 4:00 PM ET
Applicant Interviews (at MassCEC's discretion) September/October 2024
Selection Announcement October 2024

On-Street Charging Solutions Webinar

MassCEC hosted a webinar on August 8, 2024 to review the content of the RFP. Click below to view the webinar recording and slides.

Watch Webinar Recording
View Webinar Slides

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Application Process

The applicant should review and respond to the four Scopes of Work described in the RFP.

MassCEC encourages Applicants to form a team with sub-vendors (Applicant Team) to provide all the requisite experience required for the Scope of Work. MassCEC strongly encourages Applicant Teams to include MA-based vendors, small businesses, and Diverse Suppliers.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join the On-Street Charging Solutions Slack channel to network, brainstorm, and form Applicant Teams. Please refer to sections 7 and 8 of the RFP for more detailed information on the application process.

Please note the Selection Criteria in the RFP was updated on August 14, 2024, to include the Justice40 Initiative. See the Q&A section below to learn more about the Justice40 Initiative.

Application Materials

Send completed application to cleantransportation@masscec.com

Q&A

Last updated August 27, 2024.

Read Full Document
1. Is there a maximum amount of funding allocated for administration in the budget?

While there is not a maximum amount of funding allocated for administration, applicants should maximize funding allocated towards each scope of work.

2. Should proposals identify or secure partnerships with municipalities, technology providers, installers etc., or are those selected during the program itself after the administrator is awarded?

Applicant teams that include technology providers and installers are preferred, but not required. Municipalities will be selected through a competitive process after award, applicants should not apply with municipal partners.

3. The RFP mentions that “Applicants are strongly encouraged to allocate at least 25% of the proposed funding to Diverse Suppliers.” Will proposals that do not achieve the 25% be considered?

We encourage applicants to aim for this goal. However, MassCEC recognizes that the 25% goal is aspirational. All proposals should provide responses detailing how their program will support suppliers, vendors, and businesses that are often underrepresented or underserved in the Commonwealth. Proposals that do not meet this goal should explain the goal they propose and describe the challenges to meeting the 25% goal. 

4. Will additional funding be provided for the procurement, construction, and installation of the EVSE? Or is the project budget of $11,250,000 expected to cover procurement, construction, and installation of the EVSE?

The project budget of $11,250,000 is expected to cover all scopes of work including procurement, construction, and installation of the EVSE. MassCEC will not provide any additional funding. 

5. Can you provide an estimated number of sites and charging ports that are expected to be deployed throughout the project’s lifetime?

The number of sites and charging ports to be deployed are subject to the applicant’s discretion. Applications that lead to the greatest deployment of infrastructure will be viewed favorably. 

6. Are technical consultants expected to be responsible for the construction and installation of the EVSE? Or are technical consultants expected to conduct procurement and construction management?

Technical consultants are expected to be responsible for the procurement and management of EVSE. Applicant teams that include technology providers and installers are preferred, but not required. On a case-by-case basis and as time permits, municipalities may have the option to utilize third-party vendors for the procurement and installation of EVSE, however the Technical Consultant should be prepared to provide these services. 

7. How is this program related to the Justice40 requirements?

This Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which made it a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. All the funds awarded through the Program are subject to this requirement. This Program will also help both the Commonwealth, and the federal government achieve their emissions reductions goals.  Please hyperlink https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ to "Justice40 Initiative" in the first sentence.

Additional Funding Opportunities