RFP - Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Project

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is issuing a Request for Proposals to procure electric vehicle charging infrastructure implementation services under a federally-funded Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The project encompasses two implementation phases: Phase 1 (Deployment Plan/Design) with a deadline of March 31, 2026, and Phase 2 (Purchase, Installation, and Construction) with completion by March 31, 2029. The selected contractor, referred to as the Electric Vehicle Charging Partner (EVCP), must design, install, own, operate, and maintain a minimum of 75 Level 2 charging stations, each equipped with a minimum of four network-connected ports capable of simultaneous multi-vehicle charging, distributed across 19 counties in the Atlanta region at everyday destinations including shopping centers, grocery stores, and government service centers. All charging stations must be accessible to the general public 24 hours daily, seven days weekly, without access restrictions or parking fees, and must provide free charging to consumers for a minimum of five-year operational period. The EVCP is responsible for securing all site access agreements, local government permits, utility coordination, permitting, safety reviews, traffic engineering, and community engagement activities. Evaluation criteria include the contractor's ability to achieve and maintain charging station uptime exceeding 97% annually, provide comprehensive quarterly and annual performance reporting to ARC, demonstrate technical and financial capability, and develop a sustainable business model supporting free consumer charging. The proposal submission deadline is 4:00 PM EST on Friday, June 27, 2025, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for June 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST, and written technical questions due by 4:00 PM EST on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Short-listed firms will be notified by July 11, 2025, with interviews tentatively scheduled for July 21-25, 2025, and preferred contractor selection expected by July 25, 2025.

The procurement is available to qualified private sector firms without specific set-aside restrictions; however, ARC's current Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal is 16.7%, and all proposals must include a DBE Utilization Plan demonstrating engagement of disadvantaged enterprises. The project receives federal funding of $6,120,067 in total CFI grant awards, with $200,000 currently obligated for Phase 1 and the remaining $5,920,067 contingent upon successful Phase 1 completion and outcomes of an ongoing USDOT internal review. The selected EVCP must provide a minimum 20% non-federal match, equating to a minimum of $1,530,017 in incremental non-reimbursed costs, consisting of a minimum $50,000 for Phase 1 and a minimum $1,480,067 for Phase 2. Federal funds will reimburse 80% of eligible Phase 1 and Phase 2 expenses, with the EVCP required to carry full project costs and submit monthly invoices for reimbursement; notably, federal funds cannot be used for electricity costs, operational expenses beyond five years, community engagement, permitting, safety reviews, or traffic engineering. Existing partnerships identified in the original CFI grant application include RaceTrac, Inc., and Volta Charging; however, the RFP process will determine final contractor relationships upon funding award. The project anticipates total private and public sector investment of approximately $35.2 million, with coordination support from Georgia Power and local Electric Membership Cooperatives through utility infrastructure programs.