Proposals being accepted October 14, 2024 – January 13, 2025 for Round 2. Informational webinar being held October 30, 2024 (11:00 CST). Register here.
EV fast charger funding
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program provides funds to states to build a convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable fast charging network for EVs across the United States. Over five years (federal fiscal year 2022 through 2026), Minnesota expects to receive and invest about $68 million from the NEVI Formula Program. MnDOT is responsible for administering the NEVI Formula Program funds in Minnesota.
Eligibility
The NEVI Formula Program funds must first be used to build out a state's Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) with fast charging stations as described in FHWA Final National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements. As of October 2024, I-35, I-94 and I-90 are AFCs for EV Charging in Minnesota. In July 2024, we submitted a request to FHWA to add I-90 and will be including it in the Round 2 RFP.
Private or public entities are eligible to apply for NEVI funds. Successful applicants will be required to enter a contract with MnDOT. The project team must include an experienced charging network provider and an entity with ownership or lease of the property through the five-year operations and maintenance period.
Key requirements
- Stations located no more than 50 miles apart along the AFC.
- Stations located less than one mile driving distance from the AFC Exit.
- Stations have a minimum of four 150 kW charging ports able to operate simultaneously.
- Stations are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Request for proposals (RFP)
Round 1 Conditional Awards
Minnesota NEVI Round 1 Conditional Awards
Cluster | Awardee | Maximum Grant Reimbursement |
Site Address |
1 | Circle K Stores | $497,735.52 | 3475 28th Avenue S., Moorhead, MN 56560 |
4 | Pilot Travel Centers | $783,554.40 | 3181 Evergreen Lane, Alexandria, MN 56308 |
5 | Circle K Stores | $497,735.52 | 1185 S Main, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 |
7 | Kwik Trip | $660,662.30 | 4400 O Day Ave NE, St. Michael, MN 55376 |
8 | Francis Energy Charging | $758,677.88 | 7011 Northland Cir N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429 |
11 | Circle K Stores | $497,735.52 | 9314 W. Skyline Parkway, Proctor, MN 55810 |
12 | Kwik Trip | $746,764.20 | 4694 Opportunity Drive, Moose Lake, MN 55767 |
13 | Circle K Stores | $302,281.92 | 715 13th Street SW, Pine City, MN 55063 |
14 | Kwik Trip | $596,035.20 | 5435 St. Croix Trail, North Branch, MN 55056 |
15 | Circle K Stores | $497,735.52 | 9444 Lake Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025 |
16 | Francis Energy Charging | $828,952.68 | 14350 Nicollet Ct, Burnsville, MN 55306 |
18 | Tesla | $546,512.20 | 820 Happy Trails Ln, Albert Lea, MN 56007 |
TOTAL | $7,214,382.86 |
Timeline
- Dec. 11, 2023: Application window opened
- Noon CST, Dec. 18, 2023: Recording of informational presentation published
- 5 p.m. CST, Jan. 10, 2024: Deadline to email questions to MnDOT
- Jan. 24, 2024: Written responses posted to all questions received
- January 20, 2024 – RFP Addendum 1 posted
- Noon CST, Feb. 9, 2024: Deadline to submit an application to MnDOT
- March 20, 2024: RFP addendum posted
- 5 p.m. CST, Apr. 1, 2024: Deadline for questions to be submitted for Addendum 2
- Noon CST, April 3, 2024: Deadline to submit new or updated RFP
- July 11, 2024: Round 1 conditional awards announced
Guidance
Informational presentation
We recorded an informational presentation to guide you through the application requirements.
Questions and answers
We posted Addendum 2 to this RFP on March 20, 2024. Email your questions about Addendum 2 to neviproject.dot@state.mn.us with the subject line: “NEVI RFP Addendum 2 Question”, no later than 5 p.m. CST on April 1, 2024. MnDOT will post responses to questions on this webpage on a rolling basis.
Please contact us only through this official process. Our staff members are not authorized to discuss the RFP with applicants outside of the email process. If you contact us about this RFP outside the email process your application may be disqualified. You must address your questions via email with the following information.
- RFP Document Name
- RFP Document Section #
- RFP Document Page #
- Question
If your question doesn’t identify all the requested information, we will not address it.
- Answers to Questions January 24, 2024
- Answers to Questions, Addendum 2 – Updated regularly March 21 – April 2
How to apply
Each application can only include one site. You may submit only one application per cluster.
Step 1: Download and review the following documents
- NEVI Request for Proposal (PDF) - updated March 20, 2024
- Attachment 1: Technical Requirements (PDF) - updated March 20, 2024
- Attachment 2: Scope of Work and Deliverables (PDF) - updated March 20, 2024
- Attachment 3: Technical Application Form (Word) - updated March 20, 2024
- Attachment 4: Cost Proposal Form (Excel) - updated March 20, 2024
- Attachment 5: Utility Coordination Form (Word)
- Attachment 6: Draft Agreement (PDF)
- Attachment 7: Federal Highway Administration Form 1273 (PDF)
- Attachment 8: Example Letter of Credit (PDF)
- Attachment 9: Addendum 1 Cover Sheet (PDF) - added Jan. 24, 2024
- Attachment 10: Addendum 2 Cover Sheet (PDF) – added March 20, 2024
We strongly urge you to conduct your due diligence as it relates to the NEVI Formula Program and the federal, state, and local laws that apply to this funding.
Step 2: Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) (also called a SAMS number)
A UEI is required to receive federal funds. UEIs are issued by Federal Contracting Services.
Step 3: Register as a Vendor in SWIFT (Statewide Integrated Financial Tools)
The Vendor ID will be included on the RFP Application document to track the application through the scoring process. It will also be used for processing invoices and payments for grantees. If the grant applicant already has a SWIFT Vendor ID, you do not need to register again. Navigate to the Supplier Portal Vendor Registration to register as a vendor.
Step 4: Complete the form and gather the documents as described in the RFP
Applicants must complete the following and all documents must be saved as searchable PDFs unless a different format is noted. Information on these forms and requirements can be found in the RFP Instructions.
- Signed Technical Application Form, including all required information detailed in Attachment 3 (Searchable PDF)
- Signed Cost Proposal Form (XLSX Excel format)
- Letter from the Site Owner (Searchable PDF format)
- Letter from Bank or Financial Institution (Searchable PDF format)
- Acknowledgement of Federal Form 1273 (Searchable PDF format)
- Signed Addendum 1 Cover Sheet
- Signed Addendum 2 Cover Sheet
Step 5: Submit application
Any applicants who had previously submitted an application by the February 9, 2024 deadline must submit a signed Addendum 2 Cover Letter (Attachment 10) along with any updated submittal documents that may have changed because of the addendum.
New applications will be accepted.
All required submittals must be emailed to neviproject.dot@state.mn.us by April 3, 2024 by 12:00 pm Central Standard Time.
After you apply
- We intend to fund 18 charging stations in the first round (one project per cluster of exits).
- We intend to announce conditional awards in May 2024, depending on the volume of applications received.
Timeline
- October 14, 2024: Application window opened
- October 14 – December 20: Questions accepted. Answers publicly posted weekly.
- January 13, 2025 (12 pm CST): Deadline to submit an application to MnDOT
- April 2025: Round 2 conditional awards announced.
Guidance
- Register for the Informational Webinar: October 30, 2024 (11:00 CST)
- View the most current Fast Charging Interested Partners list (Excel).
- Sign up to be on Fast Charging Interested Partners list.
- Online mapping tool of areas open for proposals
Questions and Answers
Questions should be emailed to neviproject.dot@state.mn.us. They will be accepted between October 14 and December 20, 2024. Questions and answers will be posted verbatim Tuesday of each week. Do not email NEVI staff directly and do not include self-identifying information.
All questions should include:
- RFP document name
- RFP document section #
- RFP page #
- Question
Answers to Questions – Updated Weekly on Tuesdays
How to Apply
Each application can only include one site. You may submit only one application per cluster.
Step 1: Download and review the following documents
- NEVI Request for Proposal_Round 2 (PDF)
- Attachment 1: Technical Requirements_Round 2 (PDF)
- Attachment 2: Scope of Work and Deliverables_Round 2 (PDF)
- Attachment 3: Technical Application Form_Round 2 (Word)
- Attachment 4: Cost Proposal Form_Round 2 (Excel)
- Attachment 5: Optional Utility Coordination Form (Word)
- Attachment 6: Grant Agreement_Round 2 (PDF)
- Attachment 7:Federal Highway Administration Form 1273 (PDF)
- Attachment 8: Example Letter of Credit that will be required if awarded (PDF):
We strongly urge you to conduct your due diligence as it relates to the NEVI Formula Program and the federal, state and local laws that apply to this funding.
Step 2: Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) (also called a SAMS number)
A UEI is required to receive federal funds. UEIs are issued by Federal Contracting Services.
Step 3: Register as a Vendor in SWIFT (Statewide Integrated Financial Tools)
A Vendor ID is required for processing invoices and payments. The grant applicant must obtain the Vendor ID. MnDOT will establish a contract and process invoices directly with the grant applicant. If the grant applicant already has a SWIFT Vendor ID, you do not need to register again. Navigate to the Supplier Portal Vendor Registration to register as a vendor.
Step 4: Gather the documents as described in the RFP
Applicants must complete the following documents prior to applying. All must be saved as searchable PDFs unless a different format is noted. Information on these requirements can be found in the RFP instructions.
- Signed Technical Application Form, including all required information detailed in Attachment 3 (Searchable PDF)
- Signed Cost Proposal Form (XLSX Excel format)
- Signed letter from the Site Owner (Searchable PDF format)
- Acknowledgement of Federal Form 1273 (Searchable PDF format)
Step 5: Submit application
When the documents in step 4 are completed, click the online application submittal link to fill out the online form and upload the required documents.
Deadlines
- 5:00 p.m. CDT, December 20, 2024: Deadline to email questions to MnDOT
- Noon CDT, January 13, 2025: Deadline to submit an application to MnDOT
After you apply
If you successfully submit an application, you will receive automatic email confirmation. We will convene a scoring committee to review and score all applications. MnDOT intends to make one award per cluster.
Conditional Awards Announcement
MnDOT intends to make an announcement about conditional awards by April, 2025 however, that date is tentative depending on the volume of applications received. Updates will be posted on this web page.