HomeMy WebLinkAboutVW School Bus Replacement Repower Program RFA 04-14-2019-VW
AEA School Bus Replacement/Repower Program Page 1 of 3
Request for Applications
School Bus Replacement/Repower Program
Spring 2019 Program Guidelines
Application Deadline: June 14, 2019
Introduction
Volkswagen (VW) was sued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its installation of software
in diesel vehicles that masked the actual in-use emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The parties reached
a settlement which required VW to establish an Environmental Mitigation Trust (Trust) to fund diesel
replacement projects to fully mitigate for the excess NOx emissions that would be produced over the
lifetime of the affected vehicles. Under the Settlement, the State of Alaska, as a Beneficiary, was
allocated $8.125 million of the Trust. The Alaska Energy Authority (Authority) has been designated the
lead agency to administer the State’s allocation.
Consistent with Alaska’s Beneficiary Mitigation Plan describing how the funds will be disbursed, the
Authority is soliciting applications to repower or replace diesel school buses (Types A, B, C or D of model
year (MY) 2009 or older) with new, cleaner diesel, alternative-fueled, or all electric engines or buses. The
Authority anticipates awarding approximately $1.7 million for school bus repower or replacement
projects in the form of reimbursement beginning spring 2019. Purchases and reimbursement for the
intended purpose must be completed within two years of the award.
Application Period
The Authority will accept applications for eligible school buses during an open application period starting
March 28, 2019 and ending at 5:00 pm on June 14, 2019. The Authority will hold two webinars
explaining the application process and the EPA Diesel Emission Calculator tool on April 2, 2019 1:30 pm
– 3:00 pm and April 11, 2019 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm. Additional questions must be submitted to the
Authority in writing to vwsettlement@akenergyauthority.org with VW School Bus Q&A in the subject
line by May 30, 2019. Q&A will be posted periodically on the Authority’s website up until June 6, 2019.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include Alaska public school districts. Buses may be government owned or privately-
owned under contract with a public school district. School districts may apply for funding to replace one
or more vehicles; however, each bus will be evaluated independently, using the information on the Bus
Data Form and the criteria described in the Bus Evaluation Form. An applicant may submit a single
Application Cover Form; however, separate Bus Data Forms and Bus Evaluation Forms must be
submitted for each vehicle to be repowered or replaced. The school district or contract agency must be
able to provide a title and current registration for each bus prior to reimbursement. No single school
district will be awarded more than 50 percent of the total funds allocated for school bus repower and/or
replacement.
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Eligible School Buses
Eligible school buses include 2009 engine model year or older Type A, B, C, or D diesel school buses that
are operable and currently in use to transport students to or from public school. The buses must be in
good working condition and have at least three years of serviceable life remaining. Funds may cover up
to 100 percent of the cost to repower an eligible bus with any new diesel, alternate-fueled (e.g., CNG,
propane, hybrid), or all-electric engine, or replace the bus with any new diesel, alternate-fueled, or all-
electric vehicle, with the engine model year in which the replacement occurs or one engine model year
prior.
Reimbursement
All projects must be completed within two years of the award date; AEA reserves the right to withhold
funds if the project has not been completed in the defined timeframe. The applicant would have the
option to reapply the following funding cycle.
For reimbursement, the school district or contract agency must be able to provide a title and current
registration for each bus; copies of paid invoices for bus purchase and shipping; documentation of labor
expended; and documentation verifying scrappage of the old bus. As a requirement of the settlement,
all replaced buses must be verifiably destroyed or scrapped (i.e., hole drilled into engine block and
chassis cut) in order to receive reimbursement funds.
Applicants must own and operate the school bus for a minimum of five years following reimbursement,
subject to verification by AEA. If the bus is sold before the 5-year period, or not operated as a school
bus, the applicant may be required to return up to the full amount of the reimbursement. AEA reserves
the right to conduct audits which may include site visits to ensure compliance.
How to Apply
This is a competitive application on a per bus basis for VW Settlement funding to repower or replace
school buses. An applicant may submit a single Application Cover Form; however, separate Bus Data
Forms and Bus Evaluation Forms must be submitted for each vehicle to be repowered or replaced.
Applications will be evaluated based on completeness and the criterion provided in the application.
Applications must include a copy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Quantifier
(DEQ) for each vehicle using the data provided in the Bus Data Form as well as report a picture of the
bus odometer. AEA staff will be available to assist applicants in using the DEQ tool. Applications must be
submitted online or postmarked by June 14, 2019, to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be
considered. Late applications will not will not be considered for this funding cycle but may be considered
for the next funding cycle. The Authority may contact applicants or an applicant organization for
clarification and/or supplemental information; please ensure the contact information provided is
accurate. Applicants must respond to any request for additional information within 10 calendar
days.
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Applications may be completed electronically using the school bus application form s by
downloading and emailing or by printing and completing the attached form . Each application
must be signed by the individual responsible for authorizing and overseeing completion of the
project. An electronic signature is acceptable so long as it is an image or reproduction of the
signatory's actual signature . Submit applications to vwsettlement@akenergyauthority.org or mail
to the following address:
Alaska Energy Authority
Attn: VW Settlement Fund Application ; Betsy McGregor
813 West Northern Lights Boulevard
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
If you have questions about your application or need assistance with the required information,
please contact Betsy McGregor at (907) 771-3957 or vwsettlement@akenergyauthority.org. All
questions must be submitted by May 30, 2019. Q&A will be posted on the Authority’s VW
Settlement Program website under the School Bus Replacement section by June 6, 2019.
Important Dates
Date Time Deliverable
April 2, 2019 1:30-3:00 pm
Webinar explaining application process and EPA Diesel
Emission Calculator tool. Register Here
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2413461405893487618
April 11, 2019 1:30-3:00 pm
Webinar explaining application process and EPA Diesel
Emission Calculator tool. Register Here
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7523187708796411650
May 30, 2019 5:00 pm All questions must be submitted
June 6, 2019 5:00 pm Q&A will be posted on Authority's website
June 14, 2019 5:00 pm Applications must be submitted or post marked