Hydrogen Mobile Fuelers for 40-Foot Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

The Orange County Transportation Authority is soliciting proposals for the procurement of two temporary hydrogen mobile fuelers to support its 40-foot hydrogen fuel cell electric bus fleet at the Santa Ana and Garden Grove bases. This project is a re-procurement following the cancellation of a previous effort and is designed to bridge a critical infrastructure gap until permanent fueling stations are established. The selected contractor will be responsible for all project phases, including planning, design, permitting, equipment procurement, construction, and commissioning. Each mobile fueler must be capable of dispensing hydrogen for at least 25 buses within an eight-hour window at 350 bar, with all equipment required to be fully operational by February 1, 2027. The contract is structured as a time and expense agreement with firm-fixed rates, featuring an initial one-year term and two optional one-year extensions. The estimated annual cost is approximately 5,872,800 dollars, covering installation, operations, maintenance, and fuel supply. Evaluation of proposals is based on firm qualifications, the proposed work plan, cost and pricing, and staffing and project organization. Key contractual requirements include adherence to Level 2 Health, Safety and Environmental Specifications, compliance with NFPA and SAE J2719 purity standards, and the acceptance of liquidated damages at a rate of 250 dollars per bus per day for inoperable stations beyond a 24-hour window. Proposals are due by September 15, 2026, via the OpenGov portal.