The Challenge: Reduce Barriers to Electrifying School Buses
Despite the long-term savings and health benefits of going electric, school districts face barriers to electrifying their school bus fleets. Challenges that school districts encounter include
- Higher up-front costs for buses and associated charging infrastructure, compared to diesel buses
- Implementing necessary depot upgrades
- Training drivers and mechanics during the transition to electric buses
- Coordinating with third-party transportation providers for districts that choose to lease their buses
About ACT School Bus Fleet Deployment
The ACT School Bus Fleet Deployment program offers school bus fleets up to $2.5 million in flexible funding for depot upgrades and purchases of electric school buses and associated charging infrastructure. Participating fleets also have the opportunity to work with MassCEC's consultant team to address the gaps in technical knowledge impeding school bus fleets from electrifying, in areas such as coordination with stakeholders, equipment selection, procurement, and project implementation.
Funding Schedule
This RFP complements the 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program.
MassCEC anticipates releasing a similar solicitation to complement the 2023 EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program in Spring 2024.
| Process Step | Tentative Timing |
|---|---|
Release of NOI |
May 2023 |
Release of RFP |
November 6, 2023 |
Webinar hosted by MassCEC |
|
Questions due to MassCEC via email to CleanTransportation@MassCEC.com |
December 4, 2023 |
Questions with answers posted to MassCEC website |
December 11, 2023 |
Proposals due |
January 11, 2024 by 4 pm EST |
Interviews of top applicants |
January-February 2024 |
Notification of award |
January-March 2024 |
This schedule is tentative and subject to change at MassCEC's discretion.
Who's Eligible
Eligibility for the ACT School Bus Fleet Deployment Program mirrors eligibility for EPA’s 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program. Eligible Applicants for the ACT School Bus Fleet Deployment Program include:
- Public school districts that are eligible under EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. This includes Massachusetts public school districts, including charter schools, that have an NCES District ID; and
- Private school bus transportation contractors that are eligible under EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. These generally include school bus service providers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and private school bus fleets that provide student transportation services. (Please see RFP for further information.) Note that private school bus contractors can apply only on behalf of their associated Massachusetts public school district(s).
Program Structure
The responsibilities and expectations of each of the program participants are summarized below. These lists may vary with the needs of the school district and may not be exhaustive.
School District
- Collaborate with the Technical Consultant on project design, deployment, and reporting on project outcomes
- Provide baseline fleet assessment data, e.g., fleet size and makeup, routes data and schedules, current fuel types and costs
- With the help of the technical consultant, deploy electric school buses and charging infrastructure to serve district schools
Technical Consultant
- Conducting technical and financial electrification analyses that inform decision-making options for school bus fleets
- Finalizing analyses of vehicle needs, charging needs, financial details, and distributed energy resources integration
- Creation of plans for site work and electric school bus operation
- Procurement support for purchase of electric school buses and charging equipment
- Management of construction, equipment testing, and technical training
- Operational support for school bus fleets and related entities
MassCEC
- Participate in meetings with the technical consultant and the school district
- Record and share lessons learned between school districts
- Retain the technical consultant
Benefits of Participation
- Obtain a plan for full-fleet electrification
- Preparation of depot site(s) for full-fleet electrification
- Procurement of electric school buses and associated infrastructure
- Deployment of electric school buses and associated infrastructure
If your district is in the early stages of electrification planning, the Accelerating Clean Transportation (ACT) School Bus Advisory Services Program can provide free technical assistance you need to help you get started on your school bus electrification journey.
Not sure which program is right for you at your current stage?
...Or contact us at cleantransportation@masscec.com!
Apply
Application Process
Please review the RFP thoroughly and contact MassCEC's Clean Transportation team with any questions. Note: Attachments A-C are included in the RFP file; Attachment D must be downloaded separately.
Email your completed application form and all required attachments to CleanTransportation@masscec.com with "ESB Deployment Technical Assistance Program" in the subject line.
MassCEC may contact top applicants for an interview.
Application Materials
Webinar: ACT School Bus Deployment, Round 2
MassCEC hosted a live webinar on November 30 to review the requirements of the RFP and to answer any questions. The webinar was intended for all eligible applicants.