Electric Vehicle Charging Program RFP 3

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Division of Purchases, is procuring design, build, operation, and maintenance services for Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) stations across eleven designated zones along Kentucky's Alternative Fuel Corridors. This Request for Proposal (RFP #3, numbered 605 2500000072) seeks qualified entities to develop and operate NEVI-compliant charging infrastructure with a minimum of four ports per site capable of delivering 150 kilowatts simultaneously, with continuous 24/7 operation and maintenance for a five-year operational period following project completion. Deliverables include site design, permitting, utility interconnection and upgrades, EVSE hardware and software installation, construction, and five years of operations and maintenance services. Eligible project costs encompass design, permitting, utility interconnection upgrades, EVSE hardware and software, construction, and operational expenses including electricity costs, maintenance, staffing, and NEVI reporting. Proposers may submit applications for one or more candidate sites within different designated zones but are limited to one site per exit; KYTC intends to award one or more sites per designated zone. Evaluation criteria consist of a weighted scoring system with technical proposals valued at 1,400 points, cost proposals at 600 points, and additional technical points at 400 points, for a total of 2,400 possible points, with awards based on best-value selection. Critical deadlines include a networking and pre-bid event on October 4, 2024, a proposal submission deadline of October 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM EDT via MoveIt/Secure File Transfer at https://ftp.ky.gov, a Notice of Award on December 13, 2024, a project kick-off meeting on January 8, 2025, and Project Agreement executions and Notices to Proceed on or before February 6, 2025. Inquiries should be directed to Laura Hagan, Division of Purchases, at 502-782-3980.

The RFP does not identify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises; however, all proposers must meet NEVI compliance requirements and submit certified payroll information and documentation to KYTC regardless of subcontractor involvement. All EVSE charging equipment must be Buy America FHWA compliant, with manufactured product waivers available for certain ancillary items such as transformers and switchgear for projects requesting $500,000 or more. Proposers must provide a minimum 20 percent non-federal funding match, with KYTC reimbursing up to 80 percent of eligible capital and operational costs through NEVI Formula Program funds, and the developer's internal rate of return on projects cannot exceed 20 percent. Capital reimbursements are distributed in milestones: 25 percent upon executed EVSE purchase orders, 25 percent upon EVSE commissioning, 30 percent upon final completion, with 20 percent withheld for distribution during the five-year operational period at four percent per year. The total program budget is sourced from Kentucky's allocation of $69.5 million in NEVI Formula Program funds available through Fiscal Year 2026, resulting in approximately $87 million in total project funding when including the required non-federal match. Performance requirements include maintaining 97 percent annual uptime on charging ports with liquidated damages of $75 per port per one percent shortfall, and timely NEVI reporting submissions with damages of $25 per day for late submissions; payment and performance bonds of 100 percent of aggregate capital costs are required during construction, with a separate performance bond for the operational period.