National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Round 2

The Delaware Department of Transportation is requesting proposals for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Round 2 program to deploy, operate, and maintain public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with proposals due August 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. local time via the Bonfire Procurement Portal and questions due July 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. local time. No DBE participation goal has been established due to DelDOT's lack of currently certified DBEs pending recertification under the Interim Final Rule published September 30, 2025. Eligible applicants must be businesses or organizations with registered Delaware business licenses that own and/or operate EV charging infrastructure and are not debarred from federal or state work.

The scope encompasses AC Level 2 and/or DC fast charging (DCFC) stations at publicly accessible community locations including public buildings, parks, parking facilities, multifamily housing areas, and private facilities serving local communities along designated alternative fuel corridors (I-95, SR-1, US-13, US-113) and in high-need areas. Each site must contain a minimum of four network-connected ports; DCFC stations on alternative fuel corridors require minimum 600kW capacity with 150kW per port. All stations must be installed within one year of contract award and maintained operationally for a minimum five-year period at 97 percent uptime. Proposals for multiple sites are encouraged, each requiring separate technical and financial proposals.

The maximum funding award is $8 million in NEVI Program funds, representing the lesser of requested funds or 80 percent federal cost share with a 20 percent non-federal match requirement. The contract term is six years with options to extend up to two additional one-year periods through negotiation initiated no later than 90 days prior to contract termination. Pricing remains firm for the initial six-year term unless renegotiation is deemed necessary by the State; extensions are subject to price adjustment based on the Philadelphia All Urban Consumers Price Index (CPI-U).

Evaluation criteria allocate 55 points for community benefit and impact, 25 points for project feasibility, 10 points for accessibility, and 10 points for cost-effectiveness. Award is anticipated within 90 days of bid opening. Vendors must provide a 10 percent bid bond and 100 percent performance bond if awarded. Mandatory insurance includes Worker's Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate), Medical/Professional Liability ($1 million/$3 million), Product Liability ($1 million/$3 million), and Automotive Liability with specified limits. All vendors must comply with NEVI Standards and Requirements Final Rule and submit quarterly progress reports for at least five years.