The following materials serve as an amendment to the original RFP for Virginia Fleets to participate in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program vehicle conversion grant.
1) Revised announcement material to includes a summary description. Updated Va Fleet RFP Propane Vehicle Conversion Announcement
2) An optional RFP Project Narrative tool to assist in responses, and a separate document to discuss the benefits of using propane autogas as a vehicle fuel. RFP Project Narrative Form VCC Propane Vehicle VA Fleets
The deadline for responses to the RFP is Thursday, September 30.
Virginia Clean Cities is seeking proposals from Virginia entities with road-ready fleets interested in converting some or all of their eligible gasoline vehicles to run on Propane/Autogas. This unique opportunity provides funding for fleets to cover the parts and labor for the conversion.
Updated Va Fleet RFP Propane Vehicle Conversion Announcement
Background:
Virginia Clean Cities is a statewide non-profit whose mission is to increase the use of cleaner domestic fuels, vehicles, and energy saving transportation technologies in order to improve air quality and health, reduce climate change, curb dependence on imported petroleum, and support Virginia’s economy.
The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (SEADP) is an existing Virginia Clean Cities project that is partially funded by a Department of Energy Clean Cities American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The grant was awarded to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME), and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University is the Principle Investigator. As a stipulation of this grant, a “total chain” of vendors must be used. For this project, this chain is comprised of the PRINS/American Alternative Fuels conversion kit, Alliance AutoGas Fueling contract either by Blossman Gas or other Alliance Autogas Partner, and specific conversion centers based on your area.
This special funding opportunity is available due to changes in scope or eligibility of existing partners. A summary of the project may be found at www.usepropaneautogas.com. Both public and private entities may participate in this program.
Mandatory Requirements for Supplemental SPADP participants:
- Fleet vehicles must have current EPA Certifications for propane operation. Current list may be found at http://allianceautogas.com/index.php/fleet-customers
- Entity must be doing business in good standing within the state of Virginia Entity must be clear of any liens or impending judgments
- Project must be within the boundaries of the state of Virginia.
- Vehicles must operate majority of time within Virginia.
- Minimum match of 100%, or minimum per vehicle value of $5,8001
- Fleet must have space for adequate fueling infrastructure, preferably public access
- Conversions must be completed by the beginning of January 2011
- Conversions must occur at certified conversion centers and fleets must work with VCC and certified conversion center to schedule conversions.
Type of Award Instrument:
Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University anticipates awarding grants under this program announcement to cover reimbursement to fleets for labor to complete conversions. Equipment will be purchased directly from manufacturer by Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University.
Estimated Funding:
The funding profile consists of approximately $314,925 or funding to cover the conversion of up to 221 eligible vehicles with a minimum of five vehicles per fleet.
Period of Performance: September 15, 2010-December 9, 2013
Selection Criteria:
Petroleum Displacement Potential (30%)
- Annual fuel use per year by fleet and per vehicle proposed
- Commitment to use propane autogas at least 85% of the time throughout the project period
- Amount of annual and total project (4 years) petroleum displacement per federal dollar
- Estimated % of time that propane is used
- Age of fleet, rotation schedule of fleet (preference given to newer vehicles)
- Vehicles are currently in possession and operational
Ability to Begin Project Quickly (30%)
- Ability to turn signed sub-‐agreements around quickly
- Fleet possession of vehicles eligible for conversion with existing EPA certifications
- Proposed timeframe for project, how quickly conversions can be completed
Administrative Capability (20%)
- Stability of general business model and company/organization history
- Ability to provide accurate fuel, mileage, and maintenance reports/fuel tracking systems in place (i.e. FuelMaster)
- Ability to report on-‐time throughout project period, typically quarterly
- Commitment from fleet to become a VCC stakeholder
- Past Experience in Managing or Participating in Federally-‐Funded Projects
Leverage Potential (20%)
- Fleet visibility to public
- Ability to provide a fueling location that allows public access
Instructions for Project Narrative File:
The project narrative must not exceed 5 pages, including cover page, table of contents, charts graphs, maps, photographs and other pictorial presentations when printed using standard 8.5″ by 11″ with 1 inch margins, and single spaces. EVALUATORS WILL REVIEW ONLY THE NUMBER OF PAGES SPECIFIED IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE. The font must not be smaller than 11 point. Do not include any internet addresses (URLs) that provide information necessary to review the application.
The project narrative must include:
- Project Objectives: This section should provide a clear, concise statement of the specified objectives/aims of the proposed project.
- Selection Criterion Discussion: This section should be formatted to address each of the selection criterion listed above. VCC at JMU WILL EVALUATE AND CONSIDER ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS THAT ADDRESS SEPARATELY EACH OF THE SELCTION CRITERIA.
- Roles of Participants and Principle Investigators: This section should describe the roles and the work to be performed by each participant/investigator and how the various efforts will be integrated and managed.
- Facilities and other resources: Identify the facilities and resources that are directly applicable to the proposed work.
Proposals are due August 27, UPDATE: DUE September 30, 2010 and may be emailed or postal mailed to the following address:
Peter Denbigh, Assistant Program Manager Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University MSC 4115 James Madison University 701 Carrier Drive, HHS Room 0301 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Email: pdenbigh@hrccc.org P: 540.466.4510F: 540.568.8933 Propane Autogas Fleet Benefits: Propane Autogas Benefits Printable Document
Cost Benefits Fleets that convert to AutoGas enjoy cost savings in three primary areas.
- First, the parts and labor associated with converting each vehicle cost around $5,300.00 less any applicable tax credits – this is extremely cost-effective when compared to other conversion systems and especially when compared to the cost of purchasing new alternative fuel vehicles.
- Second, propane costs less per gallon than gasoline, and its cost is far less volatile. In other words, fleets save on fuel costs and can expect more accurate budgeting and forecasting.
- Third, propane is a cleaner, higher-octane fuel. This means less frequent oil changes and a generally longer engine life, so fleets save on upkeep and maintenance costs as well as on costs associated with vehicle downtime.
Environmental Benefits
Propane produces less greenhouse gas emissions and smog-producing hydrocarbons than gasoline. Converting a conventional gasoline vehicle to a propane AutoGas Hybrid using the Prins VSI system results in:
- 28% reduction in Carbon Monoxide
- 35.6% reduction in Hydrocarbons
- 3.7% reduction in NOx
- 16% reduction in Carbon Dioxide
Propane is non-toxic and insoluble in water, unlike gasoline, diesel, methanol and ethanol. In the event that a rare accidental leak should occur, propane would dissipate into the atmosphere with no harmful contaminants released into the air, soil or water. Our conversion system is EPA Certified for numerous commonly-used fleet vehicle makes and models.
Domestically Produced
90% of the propane used in the U.S. is produced domestically. 7% is imported from Canada and Mexico. The majority of the propane produced here in the U.S. is a byproduct of natural gas refining. This means that the gasoline gallons displaced by our fleet customers directly translate into lowered dependence on foreign oil.
Alliance AutoGas is ready to meet today’s transportation fueling challenges more cleanly and efficiently than virtually any other fuel available. There are many ancillary benefits when a fleet converts to AutoGas – from public awareness to providing one more alternative fuel station to the already strong nationwide fueling infrastructure. Each vehicle is another definitive step toward a fuel that is independent from environmental impact and foreign production.