Hydrogen Refueling Station

Intercity Transit, located in Olympia, Washington, is seeking proposals for a comprehensive hydrogen refueling station project to support five 40' Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEB). The Request for Proposals (RFP 2422) targets a qualified contractor to provide hydrogen refueling station equipment, installation, and maintenance services, with project deployment targeted for June 2025. Key project deliverables include project management, design support, equipment procurement, installation coordination, commissioning, training, and ongoing maintenance services for a hydrogen refueling infrastructure capable of supporting five New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE FC buses. The project requires a station that can fuel all buses within a 115-minute period and maintain 100% uptime during the transit agency's daily fueling window from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Proposal evaluation will be comprehensive, with 390 points allocated to non-cost factors, 165 points for cost considerations, and an optional 100 points for interviews. Critical dates include a virtual pre-proposal meeting on December 5, 2024, questions due by December 9, 2024, and proposals due December 17, 2024, with anticipated interviews on January 27, 2025, and contract award expected February 20, 2025.

The project will be funded through local and state grants, with no federal funding involved, which eliminates Buy America requirements. The initial contract term is six years, including equipment installation and a five-year maintenance period, with options to extend maintenance for up to five additional years, potentially creating an eleven-year total contract period. Intercity Transit intends to purchase and own the equipment rather than lease, and while both liquid and gaseous hydrogen solutions will be considered, onsite hydrogen production is not desired. The station will be installed at the agency's Pattison Facility in Olympia, with site construction to be performed by a separate contractor, FORMA Construction Company, and design by Stantec Architecture, Inc. The project requires a hydrogen refueling station with a fleet average daily fuel consumption of 111 kg and annual consumption of approximately 40,000 kg. Although specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant investment in hydrogen infrastructure and long-term maintenance services. The contractor must provide all necessary equipment, installation support, maintenance, and spare parts to ensure seamless operation of the hydrogen refueling station.