Sole Source Notice: NESCAUM - Multi-State Clean Vehicle Program Support

Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division intends to award a sole-source contract to the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) for multi-state clean vehicle program support, with a notice due date of October 29, 2026. DEQ has determined that NESCAUM is the only source capable of providing these services, so the procurement is noncompetitive.

The scope covers facilitation, coordination, technical analysis, and policy support on California vehicle emission standards that Oregon and other Section 177 states adopt under the Clean Air Act. The covered regulations are Low Emission Vehicle (LEV), Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II), and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus. Services include interstate meeting facilitation, stakeholder coordination, representation of state interests with the California Air Resources Board and U.S. EPA, and support for charging and fueling infrastructure deployment and federal policy impacts.

The contract term is five years, with anticipated execution on January 1, 2027. The estimated value is $25,000 annually, or $125,000 total.

NESCAUM is the incumbent under Contract #033-23 (PO-34000-00004809), effective January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026, with a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000. DEQ is re-soliciting after five years to reassess agency needs.

DEQ cites NESCAUM's institutional knowledge, longstanding relationships with California and Section 177 states, and multi-state coordination infrastructure dedicated to Section 177 implementation. Market research found that the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, the U.S. Climate Alliance, and Better World Group lack either the required technical depth or a dedicated Section 177 focus. Wade Sadler, Interim Assistant Director-Acting Designated Procurement Officer, approved the sole-source justification on October 13, 2026. The notice, number S-34000-00018226, was posted October 21, 2026.