Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan Study

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is requesting proposals for a Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan Study to evaluate feasibility and infrastructure requirements for transitioning to a 100 percent zero-emission fleet, with proposals due November 17, 2025 and interviews scheduled for December 18, 2025. A pre-proposal conference is set for October 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (in-person in Orange, California, and via Microsoft Teams); written questions are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 31, 2025.

Consultant teams must demonstrate expertise in transit operations and service planning; zero-emission vehicle technologies (hydrogen fuel-cell and battery-electric); transit facilities and depot-based infrastructure; and transition planning from conventional fuels to zero-emission solutions. Proposers must also show familiarity with Orange County's geography and transportation trends and understanding of California Air Resources Board's Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation. The contract term is seventeen (17) months with capacity to deliver within that timeframe required.

The study encompasses four primary tasks: project administration and management, stakeholder engagement, vehicle and fueling technology assessment, and draft and final reporting. Deliverables include monthly progress reports, up to four stakeholder roundtable meetings, participation in two community outreach events, technical assessment memos on fleet requirements and infrastructure feasibility, and a comprehensive final Zero-Emission Bus Transition and Rollout Plan with executive summary and presentation materials. OCTA currently operates 442 fixed-route buses (primarily CNG-fueled plus ten hydrogen fuel-cell and ten battery-electric pilot buses) and 248 paratransit cutaway buses across five maintenance facilities throughout Orange County.

OCTA will award a firm-fixed-price contract with separate line-item pricing for each work phase. Evaluation criteria are Qualifications of the Firm (20 percent), Staffing and Project Organization (25 percent), Work Plan (30 percent), and Cost and Price (25 percent). The consultant must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Professional Liability of $1,000,000. All deliverables become OCTA's property upon payment. Proposal pricing must remain firm for a minimum of 120 days from submission. Award is contingent upon receipt of adequate state and/or local funds.