New Hampshire Clean Diesel Program Rolling Request for Proposals

The New Hampshire Clean Diesel Program Rolling Request for Proposals (RFP DES 2026-05), issued by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) on August 20, 2025, seeks proposals for projects aimed at reducing diesel emissions in line with the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). This solicitation invites applicants to replace existing diesel-powered vehicles or equipment with cleaner alternatives or to install eligible idle reduction technologies. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2026, and are to be performed entirely within New Hampshire. Applicants are required to comply with environmental standards, including EPA Tier 3/4 or CARB certifications for engines, Buy America provisions for electric vehicle supply equipment, and EPA SmartWay listing for idle reduction technologies. Existing diesel units must be scrapped within 90 days of replacement, with removal from service within 15 days, and must meet requirements such as permanent destruction of the engine and chassis. Replacement units must be owned and operated for at least five years and fulfill minimum usage thresholds. Proposals are evaluated on a weighted point basis totaling 100 base points plus up to 25 bonus points, emphasizing project clarity, readiness, cost effectiveness of emissions reductions (NOx, PM2.5, CO₂), and additional benefits like water quality improvements and economic development. Bonus points are awarded for projects using alternative fuels—such as battery-electric, hydrogen, propane, or hybrids—and for those serving priority New Hampshire communities with higher poverty rates. Submissions are accepted on a rolling monthly basis via email, with no formal FAR clauses or standardized federal contract language included. The solicitation does not specify contract pricing or invoice processing methodologies but requires quarterly and annual reporting to demonstrate compliance and performance. Oversight includes verification of unit registration, operational data, and witness of scrappage by NHDES. Confidentiality provisions govern proposal handling until grant agreements are executed, while public disclosure is subject to state law thereafter. The RFP establishes clear accountability standards, environmental compliance, and a structured evaluation framework focused on maximizing clean diesel emission reductions across the state.