RFI Zero-Emission Transit Buses

The State of California, through the Department of General Services (DGS), is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market intelligence and product details to develop a subsequent solicitation for a multi-year statewide contract for the procurement of Zero-Emission Transit Buses. The RFI covers three categories of zero-emission buses: heavy-duty, cutaway, and passenger vans. The State seeks to establish purchase agreements for the most modern zero-emission transit buses available, including battery electric buses (BEBs) and fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), to maximize passenger appeal, comfort, safety, reliability, and operating efficiency. The technical specifications define requirements for design, dimensions, powertrain, charging/fueling, accessibility, and other key features. The contract term is anticipated to be two years with three one-year extension options, and will be available for use by state agencies and local governmental agencies. Responses to the RFI are due by April 25, 2024, and the subsequent solicitation is expected to be released in June 2024.

The RFI does not provide any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. It also does not list any incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it mention any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The RFI is a market research effort, and does not include any details on possible award values or budget ranges for the future procurement.