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STATEMENT OF WORK

Project Title:

Hybrid Electric School Buses; the Road to Reduced Fuel Consumption, Healthier Children and Cleaner Air

Contractor:

Advanced Energy
909 Capability Drive

Suite 2100
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 857-9028

Program Area:

Transportation Technologies

Partners:

NYSERDA

NYPA

NC Department of Public Instruction

NC Department of Public Instruction

FL Department of Education

Durham School Services

Little Rock School District

Sigourney/Keokuk Community School District

Keota Community Schools

Nevada Community Schools

Project Description:

Partially fund the purchase of approximately 20 hybrid electric school buses from one of three major school bus manufacturers, demonstrate these vehicles in school districts around the country gathering operational data, and disseminate this data through an updated economic feasibility study with real-world data.

Management Plan (Approach):

The unique nature of STAC requires that projects be supported by multiple State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity. As indicated in the STAC Agreement, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to coordinate the execution of work under the Contract, incorporated by reference hereto. Contractor, in conjunction with the other State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity, shall conduct the project in accordance with the Management Plan (approach) described below.

Since three manufacturers hold over 95% of the school bus market, the most effective method for promoting market adoption of a new technology is to stimulate on of these three manufacturers to produce a vehicle utilizing that technology.  This project differs from many others in that it targets the three major school bus manufacturers (Thomas Built, International Truck, and Bluebird) specifically, and entices them to begin design and production of a hybrid electric school bus by offering the chance for them to respond to a group bid for the manufacture of 20 hybrid school buses.

These manufacturers have been an active part of the Advisory Group for this project since its inception, contributing data to the technical and business feasibility studies, and responding to a request for information issued earlier in 2005 to gauge the level of funding required to complete a group bid.  The separate Buyers Consortium is a group of school bus purchasers from 11 states representing over 10% of the North America school bus market, free from the influences of the manufacturers that has been assembled to determine the specifications for and issue an Invitation to Bid, and award a contract for the manufacture of 20 hybrid electric school buses.  The Request for Proposals (RFP) is to be issued in June 2006 with responses due in July 2006, and the contract awarded with negotiations completed by early September 2006.  With an award from this STAC solicitation, a STAC representative will be copied on all the proposals resulting from the RFP.

The activity proposed for this project is to administer interaction with the selected manufacturer throughout the design and delivery of the hybrid electric school buses, collect operational data on the buses over their first year of operation, and communicate the results of the project through updating the existing feasibility study with real-world data and promoting the experience of the hybrid electric school bus operators with the goal of encouraging market adoption of the hybrid electric technology, per the activity plan below.

TASK 1: ADMINISTER HYBRID BUS BUILD [JUNE 2006 TO AUGUST 2007]

All of the STAC funding is to support this step of the project.  Issue and award a RFP for the purchase of  approximately 20 Plug-in hybrid school buses.  Complete contract negotiations with selected bus manufacturer and act as representative of the Buyers Consortium to the manufacturer.  Coordinate the availability of funds from multiple sources to meet contract payments.  This includes sub-awards of all STAC funds to the members of the Buyers' Consortium upon receipt of a signed purchase order from individual districts.  The funds will be sub-awarded to districts included in this contract based on several factors.  The primary goal of the sub-awards of STAC funds will be to crate geographic diversity of the project.  The following is the selection criteria for the disbursement of funds.

• Assurance of full funding - It is required that a district be able to issue a purchase order for the purchase of a bus in order to be awarded the funds.  We will need an agreement to this effect in placed by the date selected to sub-award funds. (non negotiable requirement)
• Geographic Disbursement - The intent of STAC is to promote multi-state energy goals, it is fitting to ensure that the reach of the project includes the same goal. (50%)
• Best leverage of STAC funds - Beyond the 55% match of this entire project, there is further opportunity to leverage the STAC funds.  We intend to sub-award funds to those districts most able to provide matching funds to support the purchase of the buses negotiated through the RFP process or provide project follow-through once the buses are delivered.  This will allow the STAC funds to be spread as widely as possible. (50%)

STAC officials will be copied on the sub-award amounts prior to award, with the ability to reject and rework the plan.

TASK 2: COLLECT HYBRID BUS OPERATIONAL DATA [AUGUST 2007 TO AUGUST 2008]

Collect fuel logs, maintenance records, and other operational and performance data.  Compile data, analyze results, and update existing feasibility study.

TASK 3: DISSEMINATE PROJECT RESULTS [JANUARY 2006 TO OCTOBER 2008]

Maintain the existing program website, www.hybridschoolbus.org.  Re-publish the updated feasibility study.  Produce case studies of hybrid electric school bus operators experiences and publish.  Develop a packet that enables hybrid bus proponents to facilitate presenting their experiences and the technology benefits in a grass-roots manner.  Present technical results at industry conferences, as appropriate.

DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables will be developed during the course of this project, per the Method and Activities described earlier and presented to NASEO during the course of this project.

TASK 1: ADMINISTER HYBRID BUS BUILD

• Copies of proposals generated in the RFP process.
• A sub-award plan for NASEO review.
• Progress reports on the manufacture of the hybrid electric school buses and contract administration.
• Delivery of hybrid electric school buses to Buyers Consortium members in time for operation in the 2007-2008 school year.

TASK 2: COLLECT HYBRID BUS OPERATIONAL DATA

• Copies of the raw operational and performance data collected by the hybrid electric school bus operators.
• Update feasibility study.

TASK 3: DISSEMINATE PROJECT RESULTS

• Up-to-date program website.
• Case studies of hybrid electric school bus operators experiences.
• A packet that enables hybrid bus proponents to easily present their experiences and promote the technology's benefits in a grass-roots manner.
• Two technical presentations at industry conferences, with one focusing on the school bus manufacturers, such as SAE, and one focusing on school bus operators.

Project Tasks, Status, and Deliverables

Last Updated: 10/30/06