The Town of Weston is seeking the services of a professional firm or team to provide consulting, site evaluation, and a strategy report to support Town decisions in planning and financing for future school bus electrification. The anticipated scope of work includes, but is not necessarily limited to: 1. Assess Current Demand - This Task will focus on coordinating with the Board of Education and/or their bus operator to analyze the existing school bus routes and bus utilization to determine potential size of a future zero-emission fleet and its associated energy needs. 2. Alternative Charging Assessment - Based on the route analysis and associated energy needs of the fleet, this task will determine the number and type of chargers to effectively charge the zero-emission bus fleet to meet the operating demands of the route and school program 3. Site Assessment - Based on other available sites that could be used by the Town, this Task will assess the potential for establishing a zero-emission bus depot at a more suitable alternative site. At least two (2) alternative sites will be identified by the Town for analysis which will require: a. Conceptual Layout of Charging Infrastructure - Site profile reflecting the number of chargers and associated buses at alternative site. b. Load Study to reflect available power at alternative site, plus any additional power upgrades required and to be coordinated with power utility for meeting zero-emission fleet transition needs. c. Assessment of additional power supply at the alternate site with the installation of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell or similar technology. 4. Cost Benefit Analysis - This Task will provide an estimate of capital and operating costs under the operating and site scenarios outlined above. 5. Tax Credit Analysis - This Task will describe the possible utilization of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits to support the financing of a new, alternate site for the bus depot. The analysis of the tax credits will include the eligibility of the potential project for tax credit financing, benefits and drawbacks to the project created by using tax credit financing, and an analysis of tax credits used in a project operated solely by the Town or a public-private partnership. The Town is also seeking input on other approaches that could maximize the amount of additional outside funding if the project included solar and/or electricity storage as part of the project. 6. Strategy Report - The Final Task will provide a strategy for transitioning the fleet to zero-emission bus models in the coming years. The benefits and drawbacks will be documented, as well as the high-level estimate of capital and operating costs. These results will be presented to the Town and BOE for consideration and ultimate selection of the best strategy. Ultimately, the Town is looking to select the optimal site and zero-emission fleet transition strategy that balances cost, operability, site location, and emissions reduction. Question Deadline 10/07/2024 All inquiries shall be in writing and directed to the individual noted above. Inquires can be made via e-mail at kkilduff@westonct.gov. The Town of Weston reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and reserves the right to waive technicalities where such action best serves the interest of the Town. The Town of Weston reserves the right to withdraw its RFQ at any time prior to final selection, in its sole discretion. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time. Bid date notes: Faxed or electronically mailed (e-mailed) proposals will be deemed non- responsive and will not be accepted.