Key Project Dates
- RFI Release – June 27, 2023, 6:00am PST
- RFI Informational Webinar – July 10, 2023, 10:00am-11:30am PST. View webinar recording.
- Question Submittal – July 19, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- FAQ Published – July 31, 2023, 5:00pm PST. View FAQ document.
- RFI Response Submission Close/Deadline – September 5, 2023, 11:50pm PST (extended for Holiday)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Review frequently asked questions and answers, by viewing document here.
Contact Information
Hillary M. Rupert, hillary.rupert@gladstein.org
Angela Amirkhanian, angela.amirkhanian@gladstein.org
Jack Symington, jack@laci.org
Introduction
The Los Angeles (LA) region needs charging solutions with the potential to change transportation paradigms throughout the area for the long term and establish a pathway to achieve the targets set by Governor Newsom to have 100% zero emission drayage trucks serving the Ports of LA and Long Beach and 100% of medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicles to be zero emission by 2045, where feasible.
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a non-profit organization creating an inclusive green economy for the people of LA through: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs.
LACI has convened the unprecedented public-private Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) to accelerate transportation electrification and zero emissions goods movement, while implementing enduring improvements to benefit Angelenos that can serve as a model for the world. TEP has set an overall target to reduce GHGs and air pollution 25% further than existing LA County commitments by 2028 by pursuing aggressive targets for M/HD transportation: 100% of Metro and LADOT buses to be electric; 60% of medium-duty delivery vehicles to be electric; 40% of drayage and short haul trucks to be zero emission: and 95,000 chargers to support transit and goods movement to be installed across LA County.
To assist in achieving these targets, LACI was awarded a California Energy Commission grant titled “Going for Gold: A Blueprint to Catalyze Medium and Heavy-Duty Charging Infrastructure Investments in the Los Angeles Region Preceding the 2028 Games” (Going for Gold Blueprint, or Blueprint). The purpose of the Going for Gold Blueprint is to develop a blueprint to identify and assess opportunities to integrate zero emission M/HD transportation solutions into the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games by catalyzing investment in charging infrastructure that will benefit the LA region for the long term.
In addition, LACI seeks to evaluate non-traditional electric mobility solutions (e.g. electric cargo bikes, electric low-speed shuttles, etc.) and their potential impact for specific needs of large events and contained campus applications. LACI will closely evaluate each response’s feasibility at a small and large scale to inform LACI’s and partners’ future efforts to foster mobility solutions that will bring the greatest impact to the community, economy, and environment of the LA region.
The Blueprint will:
- Assess strategic locations and innovative infrastructure options for zero emission transit and goods movement operations.
- Provide recommendations for how regional stakeholders can prioritize critical, long-term charging infrastructure across all vehicle classes.
- Identify non-traditional electric, last-mile mobility solutions to help people and goods move with zero emission.
- Analyze M/HD transportation needs and identify sites where charging infrastructure – as well as supporting solar or storage installation – deployed by regional transit agencies, warehouse owners and other key stakeholders could enable M/HD zero emission vehicles, while also facilitating the region’s long-term zero emission plans.
- Assess opportunities to utilize innovative, temporary mobile or modular charging solutions to support M/HD vehicles and assess their value for contributing to the region’s electrification plans.
LACI is seeking responses from qualified applicants with the goal of informing: 1) the Going for Gold Blueprint, which will be shared with the CEC and a wide array of stakeholders interested in innovative charging solutions and 2) LA28 and regional transportation agencies & planners of the zero emission solutions available today that can incorporate into longer-term planning for the region. Respondents may submit responses for either Option A, Option B, or Option C (both A & B):
OPTION A: The current landscape of mobile and modular charging solutions and how they can support M/HD electric vehicle operations only.
OPTION B: Electric mobility solutions that can support the unique needs of large events and constrained geographies, to help people and goods move with zero emission.
OPTION C: (BOTH A & B) Electric mobility solutions & mobile and modular charging technologies.
Response Instructions
Responsiveness, Submission, and Deadlines
Responses that fail to sufficiently document the items listed in the Submission Requirements and Sequence of Responses will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered.
Request for Clarification
All correspondence and inquiries related to this project must be directed in writing by email, to Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), which is serving as an authorized representative of LACI:
Hillary M. Rupert, hillary.rupert@gladstein.org
Angela Amirkhanian, angela.amirkhanian@gladstein.org
All questions and comments must be submitted in writing to the attention of the above. Only written questions and comments will be accepted.
Respondents should only notify the aforementioned in writing of any questions, apparent inconsistencies, or ambiguities in this RFI.
Please note that LACI will not be awarding a contract as a result of this RFI. Responses will inform LACI’s Blueprint development and associated partners’ understanding of emerging technologies and businesses related to mobility and mobile/modular charging.
Response Preparation Instructions
LACI requests that qualified firms send a detailed response pursuant to the instructions provided in this RFI through the SMApply portal. Only electronic copies submitted through this portal will be accepted. Detailed instructions regarding the electronic submission are listed below and on the application:
All Respondents must submit responses at the link below:
www.laci.smapply.org/prog/goingforgoldRFI
There is no maximum response length; however, respondents are requested only to submit information directly pertinent to their response and are discouraged from supplying excess marketing materials or resumes that are not critical to their response.
Responses received after the submission deadline will not be accepted.
Deadlines
- Question Submittal – July 17, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- FAQ Published – July 31, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- RFI Response Submission Close/Deadline – September 4, 2023, 12:00pm PST
Background
Many temporary charging options already exist that are suitable for use at large events or sites without adequate power. While many of the first-generation temporary charging trailers and drop-site units used diesel generators for power, it is now common to include stationary storage and whatever speed of a grid connection that can be paired together. This works for sites with infrequent charging, giving the battery time to refill between charges. However, this approach does not work as well with a high-use site, where a backup battery never has a chance to refill. Any site with frequent, regular use will either need an appropriately sized grid connection or an oversized stationary storage unit.
Since the intent is to move these chargers from initial temporary use and put them permanently where they can be used to reduce emissions, the units will need to have three separate components:
1. DCFC or Level 2 charging
2. Stationary storage
3. Switchgear and a transformer, where needed.
For LD:
- Fast-charging speeds should be at least 75 kw per dispenser, using a CCS1 connector (no CHAdeMO needed) with particular attention paid to accommodating voltage variability and allowing for higher amperage for high-voltage (~800V) systems to charge at max capability. Charging protocol of J15118-20 and OCPP should be prioritized on the software side.
- Slower speed charging should be considered for all large parking areas or areas where LD vehicles will be parked for any length of time. Please note where or how this infrastructure can be combined with a permanent or temporary solar deployment. All chargers should be “smart” and be demand-controllable via OCPP.
For MD: Same as above, with thought given to charging larger battery packs and the site’s ability to handle physically larger trucks and shuttle buses. Particular care must be given to charger cord length, cord management, vehicle parking, entrance, exit, height, and turning radius. AC Level 2 charging is typically not a good option for MD trucks, since there is simply not enough time to refill the battery on an overnight charge with Level 2 charging speeds. DCFC is a more flexible solution.
For HD: Same as above with the potential for MCS charging. The potential need may also exist to drop a trailer and take the tractor to a dedicated charging site, or to charge the tractor while it has a trailer backed into a loading bay. MCS chargers will likely need a dedicated high power grid connection. Please note if the solution has (or is compatible with) a different form factor than manual conductive (i.e. inductive, pantograph, or others).
For Mobility: LACI, along with the Transportation Electrification Partnership and Blueprint partners, is committed to informing the development of goods and people movement systems that support the unique needs of the LA region and the diversity of applications for deploying advanced zero emission technology in LA. Ideal zero emission transportation systems will alleviate the multimodal people and goods movement pressures experienced across LA, while also supporting future technologies, urban design, and logistics and mobility demands. Special consideration will be given to cutting-edge projects that incorporate new technologies without established efficiency measurements.
Proposed electric mobility solutions should be easily integrated into the current systems for goods and people movement in the LA region. The points of integration, such as freight corridors, train systems, intra campus shuttles, EVs, cargo bike deliveries, automated delivery mechanisms, larger transit hubs for air and freight, or micro mobility pedestrian solutions, should be planned for and addressed by applicants for this project type. Proposed mobility solutions should fully detail their unique technologies, as well as their specific synergies with existing goods and people movement systems in the LA region. State of the art technology solutions and new transportation integrations need to clearly highlight how mobility projects will have sustainability, longevity, and growth after initial implementation.
Project Specifications
Use this reference as a guide to populate the tables in the application.
Abbreviations:
- AC – Alternating Current
- Level 1 charging – 110V AC charging up to ~20 amps
- Level 2 charging – 220V AC charging up to ~80 amps
- DC – Direct Current
- DCFC – DC Fast Charger
- CCS1 – Combined Charging System 1 (the DCFC connector standard for North America)
- CHAdeMO – A no-longer-widely-used DCFC connector standard
- OCPP – Open Charge Point Protocol
- ISO 15118-20 – SAE vehicle-to-charger software handshake protocol
- LD – Light Duty
- MD – Medium Duty
- M/HD - Medium- and heavy-duty
- HD – Heavy Duty
- MCS – Megawatt Charging System
Request for Information (RFI): Electric Mobility Solutions & Mobile and Modular Charging Technology for LACI's 'Going for Gold’ Blueprint
Key Project Dates
- RFI Release – June 27, 2023, 6:00am PST
- RFI Informational Webinar – July 10, 2023, 10:00am-11:30am PST. View webinar recording.
- Question Submittal – July 19, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- FAQ Published – July 31, 2023, 5:00pm PST. View FAQ document.
- RFI Response Submission Close/Deadline – September 5, 2023, 11:50pm PST (extended for Holiday)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Review frequently asked questions and answers, by viewing document here.
Contact Information
Hillary M. Rupert, hillary.rupert@gladstein.org
Angela Amirkhanian, angela.amirkhanian@gladstein.org
Jack Symington, jack@laci.org
Introduction
The Los Angeles (LA) region needs charging solutions with the potential to change transportation paradigms throughout the area for the long term and establish a pathway to achieve the targets set by Governor Newsom to have 100% zero emission drayage trucks serving the Ports of LA and Long Beach and 100% of medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicles to be zero emission by 2045, where feasible.
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a non-profit organization creating an inclusive green economy for the people of LA through: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs.
LACI has convened the unprecedented public-private Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) to accelerate transportation electrification and zero emissions goods movement, while implementing enduring improvements to benefit Angelenos that can serve as a model for the world. TEP has set an overall target to reduce GHGs and air pollution 25% further than existing LA County commitments by 2028 by pursuing aggressive targets for M/HD transportation: 100% of Metro and LADOT buses to be electric; 60% of medium-duty delivery vehicles to be electric; 40% of drayage and short haul trucks to be zero emission: and 95,000 chargers to support transit and goods movement to be installed across LA County.
To assist in achieving these targets, LACI was awarded a California Energy Commission grant titled “Going for Gold: A Blueprint to Catalyze Medium and Heavy-Duty Charging Infrastructure Investments in the Los Angeles Region Preceding the 2028 Games” (Going for Gold Blueprint, or Blueprint). The purpose of the Going for Gold Blueprint is to develop a blueprint to identify and assess opportunities to integrate zero emission M/HD transportation solutions into the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games by catalyzing investment in charging infrastructure that will benefit the LA region for the long term.
In addition, LACI seeks to evaluate non-traditional electric mobility solutions (e.g. electric cargo bikes, electric low-speed shuttles, etc.) and their potential impact for specific needs of large events and contained campus applications. LACI will closely evaluate each response’s feasibility at a small and large scale to inform LACI’s and partners’ future efforts to foster mobility solutions that will bring the greatest impact to the community, economy, and environment of the LA region.
The Blueprint will:
- Assess strategic locations and innovative infrastructure options for zero emission transit and goods movement operations.
- Provide recommendations for how regional stakeholders can prioritize critical, long-term charging infrastructure across all vehicle classes.
- Identify non-traditional electric, last-mile mobility solutions to help people and goods move with zero emission.
- Analyze M/HD transportation needs and identify sites where charging infrastructure – as well as supporting solar or storage installation – deployed by regional transit agencies, warehouse owners and other key stakeholders could enable M/HD zero emission vehicles, while also facilitating the region’s long-term zero emission plans.
- Assess opportunities to utilize innovative, temporary mobile or modular charging solutions to support M/HD vehicles and assess their value for contributing to the region’s electrification plans.
LACI is seeking responses from qualified applicants with the goal of informing: 1) the Going for Gold Blueprint, which will be shared with the CEC and a wide array of stakeholders interested in innovative charging solutions and 2) LA28 and regional transportation agencies & planners of the zero emission solutions available today that can incorporate into longer-term planning for the region. Respondents may submit responses for either Option A, Option B, or Option C (both A & B):
OPTION A: The current landscape of mobile and modular charging solutions and how they can support M/HD electric vehicle operations only.
OPTION B: Electric mobility solutions that can support the unique needs of large events and constrained geographies, to help people and goods move with zero emission.
OPTION C: (BOTH A & B) Electric mobility solutions & mobile and modular charging technologies.
Response Instructions
Responsiveness, Submission, and Deadlines
Responses that fail to sufficiently document the items listed in the Submission Requirements and Sequence of Responses will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered.
Request for Clarification
All correspondence and inquiries related to this project must be directed in writing by email, to Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), which is serving as an authorized representative of LACI:
Hillary M. Rupert, hillary.rupert@gladstein.org
Angela Amirkhanian, angela.amirkhanian@gladstein.org
All questions and comments must be submitted in writing to the attention of the above. Only written questions and comments will be accepted.
Respondents should only notify the aforementioned in writing of any questions, apparent inconsistencies, or ambiguities in this RFI.
Please note that LACI will not be awarding a contract as a result of this RFI. Responses will inform LACI’s Blueprint development and associated partners’ understanding of emerging technologies and businesses related to mobility and mobile/modular charging.
Response Preparation Instructions
LACI requests that qualified firms send a detailed response pursuant to the instructions provided in this RFI through the SMApply portal. Only electronic copies submitted through this portal will be accepted. Detailed instructions regarding the electronic submission are listed below and on the application:
All Respondents must submit responses at the link below:
www.laci.smapply.org/prog/goingforgoldRFI
There is no maximum response length; however, respondents are requested only to submit information directly pertinent to their response and are discouraged from supplying excess marketing materials or resumes that are not critical to their response.
Responses received after the submission deadline will not be accepted.
Deadlines
- Question Submittal – July 17, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- FAQ Published – July 31, 2023, 5:00pm PST
- RFI Response Submission Close/Deadline – September 4, 2023, 12:00pm PST
Background
Many temporary charging options already exist that are suitable for use at large events or sites without adequate power. While many of the first-generation temporary charging trailers and drop-site units used diesel generators for power, it is now common to include stationary storage and whatever speed of a grid connection that can be paired together. This works for sites with infrequent charging, giving the battery time to refill between charges. However, this approach does not work as well with a high-use site, where a backup battery never has a chance to refill. Any site with frequent, regular use will either need an appropriately sized grid connection or an oversized stationary storage unit.
Since the intent is to move these chargers from initial temporary use and put them permanently where they can be used to reduce emissions, the units will need to have three separate components:
1. DCFC or Level 2 charging
2. Stationary storage
3. Switchgear and a transformer, where needed.
For LD:
- Fast-charging speeds should be at least 75 kw per dispenser, using a CCS1 connector (no CHAdeMO needed) with particular attention paid to accommodating voltage variability and allowing for higher amperage for high-voltage (~800V) systems to charge at max capability. Charging protocol of J15118-20 and OCPP should be prioritized on the software side.
- Slower speed charging should be considered for all large parking areas or areas where LD vehicles will be parked for any length of time. Please note where or how this infrastructure can be combined with a permanent or temporary solar deployment. All chargers should be “smart” and be demand-controllable via OCPP.
For MD: Same as above, with thought given to charging larger battery packs and the site’s ability to handle physically larger trucks and shuttle buses. Particular care must be given to charger cord length, cord management, vehicle parking, entrance, exit, height, and turning radius. AC Level 2 charging is typically not a good option for MD trucks, since there is simply not enough time to refill the battery on an overnight charge with Level 2 charging speeds. DCFC is a more flexible solution.
For HD: Same as above with the potential for MCS charging. The potential need may also exist to drop a trailer and take the tractor to a dedicated charging site, or to charge the tractor while it has a trailer backed into a loading bay. MCS chargers will likely need a dedicated high power grid connection. Please note if the solution has (or is compatible with) a different form factor than manual conductive (i.e. inductive, pantograph, or others).
For Mobility: LACI, along with the Transportation Electrification Partnership and Blueprint partners, is committed to informing the development of goods and people movement systems that support the unique needs of the LA region and the diversity of applications for deploying advanced zero emission technology in LA. Ideal zero emission transportation systems will alleviate the multimodal people and goods movement pressures experienced across LA, while also supporting future technologies, urban design, and logistics and mobility demands. Special consideration will be given to cutting-edge projects that incorporate new technologies without established efficiency measurements.
Proposed electric mobility solutions should be easily integrated into the current systems for goods and people movement in the LA region. The points of integration, such as freight corridors, train systems, intra campus shuttles, EVs, cargo bike deliveries, automated delivery mechanisms, larger transit hubs for air and freight, or micro mobility pedestrian solutions, should be planned for and addressed by applicants for this project type. Proposed mobility solutions should fully detail their unique technologies, as well as their specific synergies with existing goods and people movement systems in the LA region. State of the art technology solutions and new transportation integrations need to clearly highlight how mobility projects will have sustainability, longevity, and growth after initial implementation.
Project Specifications
Use this reference as a guide to populate the tables in the application.
Abbreviations:
- AC – Alternating Current
- Level 1 charging – 110V AC charging up to ~20 amps
- Level 2 charging – 220V AC charging up to ~80 amps
- DC – Direct Current
- DCFC – DC Fast Charger
- CCS1 – Combined Charging System 1 (the DCFC connector standard for North America)
- CHAdeMO – A no-longer-widely-used DCFC connector standard
- OCPP – Open Charge Point Protocol
- ISO 15118-20 – SAE vehicle-to-charger software handshake protocol
- LD – Light Duty
- MD – Medium Duty
- M/HD - Medium- and heavy-duty
- HD – Heavy Duty
- MCS – Megawatt Charging System