Request for Proposal: Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program

Published: March 27, 2025

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians is requesting proposals from qualified contractors with experience in Electric Vehicle Charging stations to supply equipment and complete the installation of six Level 2 Chargers and six DC Fast Chargers. A detailed scope of work is located below, or by contacting Mark Scott (mascott@angelofthewinds.com).

Bid walk will occur on Thursday, April 17 2025 at 10am, and proposals will be accepted until May 5, 2025 at 11:59pm. Sealed proposals can be submitted in person, through the US Postal Service or by Ground Delivery to Angel of the Winds Casino, Attention: Mark Scott, Director of Facilities, 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington, WA 98223.

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Introduction

The Stillaguamish Tribe is a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Puget Sound Region of Washington State. The Tribe’s governing body is the Board of Directors, comprised of members of the Stillaguamish Tribe who are 18 years of age and older.

The Stillaguamish Tribe was awarded funding through Washington State Department of Commerce’s Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program (WAEVCP). The Tribe is seeking to install the six Level 2 Chargers inside the parking garage at the Angel of the Winds Casino, 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington, WA 98223. The six Level 3 DCFC stations will be installed adjacent to the Angel of the Winds fueling station, in the existing parking lot. In addition, six stub-outs will be installed, three inside the parking garage site, and the remaining three at the parking lot site.

Scope of Work

Described below are the technical requirements for the equipment and installation, including the minimum essential characteristics and standards which they must meet to satisfy their intended use and meet the contract obligations set forth by the granting agency.

In performing the work, the contractor will frequently coordinate with the Angel of the Winds Director of Facilities, who serves as the Stillaguamish Tribe’s Project Manager for the grant award. The Project Manager will work with the Board of Directors and the organization’s departments throughout the project.

Equipment Requirements

A Level 2 charger must comply with the following requirements to be eligible:

Uses the SAE J1772 connector standard or the NACS connector specification.
- Connector requirements may change to reflect any updates to federal guidelines regarding NACS connectors. Grantees will be notified if a change is proposed.
Can be networked via Wi-Fi, Cellular (4G and above), and/or Ethernet, on a public networks.
Capable of at least a 7.2-kW power output.
Has a mobile payment device (NFC/RFID) physically located on each charger dispenser or on a kiosk serving the charger dispensers. EMV chip readers are not required.
Supports remote start capabilities for, at minimum, payment via a toll-free number.
Does not require a membership for payment.
Uses OCPP 1.6 or 2.0.1
- Commerce will verify through attestation that the equipment is OCPP 1.6 or 2.0.1 capable. However, project partners responsible for complying with WAC 16.662.220 should be aware that they must provide documentation of OCPP certification if requested and if such certification is available. WAC 16.220.220 applies to publicly available chargers, excluding those set to free-vend.
ENERGY STAR® certified
- EVSE supplying AC power (Level 2) must have ENERGY STAR® certification to the EVSE v1.2 specification. WAC 194-24-200 currently requires ENERGY STAR® 1.0. However, Commerce has proposed a rule amendment to instead require ENERGY STAR® EVSE v1.2. This Program requirement will ensure grantees are compliant with the rule once amended.
- Commerce will inform grantees if the rule is amended.
- Commerce will verify Energy Star certification for Level 2 EVSE through the ENERGY STAR® product database.
Certified by a NRTL to UL 2594.

A DCFC must comply with the following requirements to be eligible:

Uses the CCS1 connector standard or the NACS connector specification.
- CHAdeMO connectors are eligible costs but not included for the award cap calculation.
- Connector requirements may change to reflect any updates to federal guidelines regarding
NACS connectors. Grantees will be notified if a change is proposed.
Can be networked via Wi-Fi, Cellular (4G and above), and/or Ethernet, on a public network.
Capable of at least a 100-kW power output per charger (not per individual charging port).
Has a mobile payment device (NFC/RFID) physically located on each charger dispenser or on a kiosk serving the charger dispensers. EMV chip readers are not required.
Supports remote start capabilities for, at minimum, payment via a toll-free number.
Does not require a membership for payment.
Uses OCPP 1.6 or 2.0.1.
- Commerce will verify through attestation that the equipment is OCPP 1.6 or 2.0.1 capable. However, project partners responsible for complying with WAC 16.662.220 should be aware that they must provide documentation of OCPP certification if requested and if such certification is available. WAC 16.220.220 applies to publicly available chargers, excluding those set to free-vend.
ENERGY STAR® certification
- EVSE supplying DC power (DCFCs) are not required to have ENERGY STAR® certification.
Certified by a NRTL to UL 2202 or UL 9741.

Installation Requirements

Level 2 Charging Stations

This site will require conduit installation only, with power to be pulled and ran from the parking garage electrical room up to the 2^nd floor location for the chargers.

Level 3 Charging Stations

This site will require trenching from PUD transformer to charger location (estimated to be under 250 feet) in order to run underground conduit, repair of the ground disturbance, and replacement of the asphalt.

Connectors

At least 33% of Level 2 connectors at each project site must be SAE J1772 connectors, and at least 33% of DCFC connectors at each project site must be CCS1 connectors.

Stub-outs

The Tribe shall only receive reimbursement for costs on up to three stub-outs per site. To qualify for the future proofing adder, “Stub-out” shall mean a combination of electrical equipment on the customer side of an electrical meter, including all the panel upgrades, trenching, conduit, and wiring, needed for a new charger to be installed later without any additional construction work. A “stub-out” typically ends with at least two inches (2”) of a spare run of conduit with accessible pull rope and is capped off to protect it from the elements.

Emergency disconnects

Each DCFC charger must contain disconnecting means of emergency power shutoff (also known as “e-stop” equipment). Emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects must be installed no fewer than 20 feet or more than 100 feet from chargers. The emergency shutoff must installed in a readily accessible location in sight from the chargers and labeled.

Prevailing wage

All contractors and subcontractors performing work on the Project shall comply with state Prevailing Wages on Public Works, Chapter 39.12 RCW, as applicable to the Project funded by this Agreement, including but not limited to the filing of the “Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages” and “Affidavit of Wages Paid” as required by RCW 39.12.040. The Tribe or Nation shall maintain records sufficient to evidence compliance with Chapter 39.12 RCW, and shall make such records available for COMMERCE’s review upon request.

Electrical apprenticeship utilization rate

The Tribe shall meet or exceed an electrical apprenticeship utilization rate of 15%. This requirement shall be waived by COMMERCE if the Tribe or Nation demonstrates that one electrician is sufficient to complete all work required by the contract.

Electrical apprentices must be enrolled in an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor and Industries to count towards the utilization rate. The utilization rate shall be calculated as a percent of the total labor hours performed by electrical apprentices divided by the total labor hours performed by all electrical workers, including apprentice and journey level workers, employed upon all project sites covered in the contract.

Tribe or Nation shall submit, on a site-by-site basis, total labor hours by all electrical contractor workers, total labor hours by electrical apprentices, and apprentice identification for all electrical apprentices working on the grant project to COMMERCE in quarterly reports as required in the award contract.

Operations and Maintenance Requirements

The Tribe is bound by the funding contract to adhere to the following operations and maintenance requirements. Proposal should include contractor’s ability to support the Tribe with these requirements, along with cost data to maintain the equipment and network beyond initial installation.

Operations Duration

The Tribe shall maintain reliable operations of all Level 2 charging ports during all typical project site operational hours for at least four years, and all DCFC charging ports for at least six years, following their first day of operations.

Uptime

The Tribe shall ensure all charging ports installed are operational no fewer than 97 percent of the charging site’s standard hours of operation, as measured by uptime percentage rate, throughout the each charging port’s required operations duration.

Maintenance requirements

The Tribe shall:

Perform regular preventive maintenance, including visual inspection, performance testing, functional validation, and reporting;
Monitor network performance;
Dispatch maintenance technicians in a timely manner and address malfunctions and repairs within 48 hours of initial notice; and
Provide charging station users with call center service at all times of operation that will assist users with any technical issues encountered at the stations.

Utilization and reliability reporting requirements

The Tribe shall submit an operations report with data on each charger once every six months until the end of the operational duration. The Tribe shall submit the report no later than 15 days after the end of each six-month period with the following data for the quarter and cumulatively over total operations:
- Average hours per day the charger drew power.
- Average hours per day the charger was connected to an electric vehicle.
- Average kWh per day the charger port dispensed.
- Uptime percentage rate per charger, with all data needed to verify calculations including an itemized summary of the date, duration, and category all excluded downtime being claimed for a reporting period.
- The percentage of successful charging sessions to the total number of charge attempts for each charger.
- All instances of preventative maintenance.
- Time log with information on reported charger malfunctions and corresponding repairs.
- Proof of network monitoring and call center service.

Required Credentials and Qualifications:

Required: Licensed Contractor and Certified Electrician. Knowledge and experience working with Tribal organizations in Electric Vehicle Charging Station installation, minimum three years’ experience. Familiarity and application of Federal statutory and regulatory requirements for Washington State Electric Vehicle Charging Program. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Qualified candidates must provide the following: Resume or qualification papers showing relevant work performed; At least three references for relevant work performed; DUNS number, EIN, SSN, or CCR number; Acknowledgment of willingness to submit to a background investigation if selected.

Qualified candidates must meet the requirements as eligible to do business with the Federal Government as stated in § 200.214 Suspension and debarment.

Evaluation Factors and Scoring:

Indian preference points: 10 points are added to the possible 100 points possible.

1. Selection Procedures: The Stillaguamish Tribe is utilizing a formal advertising of Request for Proposals to award to the most highly rated proposal subject to negotiation of fair and equitable compensation. All timely responses to this RFP will be considered. The Stillaguamish Tribe reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

2. Method of Review: The Stillaguamish Tribe and their authorized representatives will review all proposals received and may contact the party to request further information. The Stillaguamish Tribe may accept any given proposal as submitted or may negotiate with the party to establish terms most advantageous to the Tribes. The decision of the Stillaguamish Tribe shall be final and not subject to appeal.

3. Method of Scoring: All proposals received on time will be evaluated and scored in the following categories.

a. (0-60 points) Scope of Work, Credentials and Qualifications. The proposal must fully demonstrate satisfaction of required credentials and qualifications and the ability to carry out each requirement listed in the scope of work. Partial points may be awarded for those proposals that do not fully meet the required credentials and qualifications or scope of work standards.

b. (0-25 points) Cost: Total project costs in proportion to equipment/services being provided.

c. (0-15 points) References: A record of integrity, judgment, performance and timeliness in the execution of previous jobs will garner higher points.

d. In the case of duplicate proposals the earliest postmarked envelope will be considered unless otherwise advised in writing by the applicant that the later proposal is the appropriate one to review.

100 TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE (*not including possible Indian preference points)

For those seeking extra points under Indian preference:

Stillaguamish Tribe’s Qualified Tribal Enterprise Policy

For an entity to qualify for Tribal preference the company must fulfil the following requirements:

Be owned by a member of a US Federally recognized Native American Tribe, nation or band, including member of Federally recognized Alaskan Native villages, communities, and corporations.
Be at least 51 percent Native owned.
Qualified member must be an active participant in the company (not just a figure head).
Have appropriate business license(s) and certifications for specific field.
Have experience and staff expertise to complete the contract.

Applicants seeking Tribal preference shall submit the following documents during the procurement/bidding process:

Documentation of membership by a US Federally recognized Native American Tribe.
Nation or band, including member of federally recognized Alaskan Native villages, communities, and corporations and proof of at least 51 percent Native ownership.
Business license certifications, business structure documents (sole proprietor, partnership, incorporations, LLC), insurance and bonding capabilities.
Tribe shall require all other necessary licensing documentation specific for the service provided.
(Industry Standard) Portfolios that include proof of the experiences and staff expertise in the specific field listed, resume of jobs completed, and references.
Business plan that includes proof of the experience and staff expertise in the specific field, projected financials and references.
Any other documentation or pertinent information required by the Tribe. The Tribe shall have sole discretion in determining other requirements under this policy.
For compliance and enforcement purposes each entity seeking Tribal preference is required to maintain a separate UBI and Federal 10 number, and a separate Stillaguamish business license for each separate business as required by the Tribe.

Provisions:

1. The selected contractor will be required to submit to and satisfactorily pass a background investigation.

2. The selected contractor will be required to provide bonding insurance.

3. The selected contractor will be required to acquire a Business License from the Tribe.

4. The Stillaguamish Tribe shall conduct all procurement transactions in a manner that provides fair, full, and open competition.

5. The Stillaguamish Tribe shall provide fair and equitable treatment for all persons or firms who are in the business of supplying goods and services.

6. The Stillaguamish Tribe wishes to assure that supplies, services, and construction are procured efficiently, effectively, and at the most favorable prices available.

7. The Stillaguamish Tribe shall take reasonable affirmative steps to commit to contracting with Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OWMBE)-certified contractor(s) when possible, without infringing on Indian preference where Indian preference is applicable.

8. The Stillaguamish Tribe shall not use federal grantor funds to do business with any entity who is disbarred in accordance with the Federal Government Disbarment list.

9. Request for Proposals may be terminated by The Stillaguamish Tribe at any time for cause.

10. Each party submitting a proposal is certifying that he/she has not colluded with any other person, firm, or corporation in regard to securing the services being solicited.

11. No employee, Officer, or agent of the Stillaguamish Tribe may solicit or accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties to subcontractors.

12. Negotiation: Provisions not addressed by this solicitation will be negotiated with the professional once a selection has been made.

13. Agreement: The selected professional will enter into an enforceable agreement that fully conforms to the contracting provisions pursuant to OMB 2 CFR 200. Policy requirements are online at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200.

Instructions for Submitting Proposals:

1. Sealed proposals can be submitted in person, through US Postal Service, or by ground delivery to:

Angel of the Winds Casino

Attention: Mark Scott, Director of Facilities

3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington, WA 98223

2. RFP’s will not be accepted by email.

3. On outside of sealed envelope write “WAEVCP – RFP”.

4. For any questions on the bid and requirements, please contact Mark Scott mascott@angelofthewinds.com by email only.

All questions will be placed on and answered on the Tribe’s website, www.stillaguamish.com.

Closing/Opening Date and Time and Method of Solicitation:

Prior to submitting a proposal, interested parties are required to attend a Bid Walk to review the sites in person at the Angel of the Winds Casino on Thursday April 17^th, 2025 at 10am.

1. Proposals will be accepted at the address above up to May 5th, 2025 at 11:59pm. All timely responses to this RFP will be considered. The Stillaguamish Tribe reserve the right to reject any and all proposals including those proposals received after the closing date and time.

2. Proposals will be opened at May 6th.

3. This RFP has been published through the Stillaguamish website as well as local and national media.

Disputes: Protest must be in writing, within 14 days after the Request for Proposal has been awarded and the submitters notified, the protest must be on valid grounds, and the Executive Director or an assignee will review the protest and make a determination, which will be final and cannot be appealed. To start the deadline for the protest claims, all submitters will be informed by certified mail their bid was not accepted.

Update: The following questions have been received following the Bid Walk on April 17th. Please see below for answers. Additionally, more information about the program that is funding this project can be found at https://waevcharging.org (the Resources -> Resource Library section has extensive information that may answer further questions).

Q: Could you please elaborate on the background check requirements mentioned in the RFP?
A: This would typically be checking business license and debarment.

Q: Is this process limited to checking professional references, or does it extend to criminal, financial, or other investigations?
A: Limited to providing professional references.

Q: Is there a sample or template agreement that outlines standard terms and conditions for awarded vendors?
A: Standard AIA contract or Standard Construction Agreement.

Q: Is there a standard pricing or bid template that vendors are expected to use for submitting their budgets?
A: There is not standard pricing, that is up to your bid to determine.

Q: If no pricing template is provided, will the Tribe indicate allowable or typical overhead rates or administrative cost caps?
A: This is based on the total contract price and up to the bidder to put that in their bid or not.

Q: Could you provide details regarding the required warranty period for both Level 2 and DC Fast Charging equipment?
A: Warranty period for both the Level 2 and DCFC chargers will be one factor that is considered for selecting the winning bidder. Please provide costs estimates and timeframe of coverage available.

Q: The RFP states: “The selected contractor will be required to provide bonding insurance. Could you confirm the type and amount of bonding insurance required (e.g., performance bond, payment bond)?
A: Our projects use a Performance Bond.

Q: Are subcontractors also required to be bonded or covered under the prime contractor’s bonding?
A: Yes.

Q: If a vendor is not an Indian-owned business but plans to subcontract significant work to a certified Indian-owned firm, would that qualify under the Indian Preference provisions of this RFP?
A: This would be a Stillaguamish Tribal Board decision.

Q: Are there any forms required to be submitted as part of the bid submission?
A: The only forms required beyond the proposal are references and proof of licensure/insurance.

Q: Is it possible to get a copy of the sign in sheet for the site walk for the EV charging project? We are a supplier, not an installer, and want to make sure the Tribe gets the best possible value.
A: Electric Vehicle Charging Vendor Contractor Sign in Sheet

Q: Can you please indicate the last date to ask questions? Since it is not mentioned on the website.
A: As these questions are being posted to the original RFP website, the last feasible day for updating the site during business hours is Friday May 2nd.

Q: Also in regard to the chargers, do they need to be single or dual port per unit?
A: It is up to the bidder on the single or dual port, there is no preference given.

Q: I believe you mentioned having some as-builts for the site as well as some more information from the utility regarding the new transformer and their design requirements. I appreciate any additional information you can provide.
A: PUD was going off of 1.8 kw for the electric vehicle chargers or 300w per charger unless you go with a dual port charger. PUD did not send me any design requirements they only told me they would work with the winning bidder to get the power needed.

Q: Could you offer any feedback on my initial question about the Indian Preference requirement?
A: The full policy is detailed in the original RFP post on this site. The Board of Directors makes the final decision on adherence to this policy.