Network Providers For Electric Vehicle Charging Systems

The County of Orange is conducting market research through a Request for Information to evaluate potential vendors for electric vehicle charging systems, with the goal of informing future competitive solicitations. Three distinct scopes of work are being explored: furnishing EV chargers, providing a complete network solution inclusive of warranty and maintenance services, and offering EV Charging as a Service, which shifts operational and financial risk to the vendor. The County seeks detailed input on pricing structures, hardware and software interoperability—particularly with its existing ChargePoint infrastructure and adherence to the Open Charge Point Protocol—and service models that ensure reliability, uptime, and seamless integration with energy management systems and microgrids. Vendors are expected to articulate their financial stability, lifecycle support capabilities, risk allocation strategies, and data ownership frameworks, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability over initial cost. Responses must address vendor background, including corporate structure, financial health, and any relationships with foreign entities of concern, and should cover warranty terms, maintenance commitments, response times, spare parts availability, and uptime guarantees, all of which will inform future evaluation criteria. While this is not a binding solicitation, the insights gathered will shape the parameters of future contract awards, with anticipated contract durations of five to ten years. The place of performance is designated as Orange, California, and submissions are due by August 12, 2026, though an alternate deadline of August 31, 2026, is referenced. No formal FAR clauses, packaging standards, payment office details, or accounting codes are specified, as the RFI is strictly an information-gathering tool. Attachments provide context on existing charging stations and sample contract language, but no evaluation weights or award methodology are predefined. The County is seeking comprehensive, transparent proposals that demonstrate technical competence, operational resilience, and a clear understanding of the risks and responsibilities associated with large-scale EV infrastructure deployment.