Electric School Bus Chargers, Management and Maintenance

The Lansing Public School District in Ingham County, Michigan, has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #SO-1838 for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to support their Clean School Bus Project. The district seeks comprehensive proposals for Level 2 and Level 3 electric vehicle chargers with mandatory interoperability across all EV bus makes and models, with a specific preference for bi-directional charging capabilities. The procurement aims to replace 20 diesel buses with battery-powered electric buses and requires at least seven charging ports for the 2025-2026 school year, with an anticipated expansion to 16 total chargers over three years. Key deliverables include charging infrastructure, software support, maintenance services, comprehensive training, and service level guarantees for installations at the Dean Transportation bus depot and Lansing Technical High School. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST via Zoom, with proposal submissions due on April 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST. Proposing vendors must demonstrate compliance with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, ensuring all infrastructure products are domestically produced. Electricians installing the charging infrastructure must be certified in the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) or possess specific charger-related training certifications.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The project is financially supported through a combination of federal, state, utility, and local funding sources, including the EPA's Clean School Bus program. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the district has a broader objective of providing career experience opportunities for Lansing Tech students in electric vehicle service equipment operations, maintenance, and management. The procurement suggests a multi-year implementation strategy, with potential for future expansion beyond the initial 16 chargers. Though specific budget ranges are not detailed in the available documentation, the comprehensive nature of the project—involving charging infrastructure, software, maintenance, and training—indicates a substantial investment. The district's emphasis on domestically produced equipment and advanced training requirements suggests a preference for technologically sophisticated and locally compliant vendors with demonstrable expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.