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Charging Smart
IREC Releases 2026 Charging Smart Regional Engagement Partner RFP
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for Regional Engagement Partners to support local governments in their region in adopting EV charging best practices and achieving Charging Smart designation.
Proposals, which must not exceed 10 pages and must comprehensively address the topics specified in the RFP, are due on July 2, 2026.
Regional organizations like councils of government and Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions are uniquely positioned to coordinate program participation across multiple municipalities, facilitating peer learning and shared resources throughout the designation process.
Charging Smart recognizes that local governments play a unique and powerful role in expanding EV adoption through increased charging access. The program helps communities reduce the “soft costs” of EV charging infrastructure deployment—such as permitting, inspection, and interconnection expenses—by implementing proven best practices across six key areas: Planning, Regulation, Utility Engagement, Education and Incentives, Government Operations, and Shared Mobility. Communities can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold designation, demonstrating their commitment to becoming EV-friendly while securing cleaner air, supporting economic growth, and building the infrastructure needed for accelerating the transition to electric transportation.
Project Overview
IREC is seeking regional organizations, including Clean Cities & Communities Coalitions, councils of government, regional planning organizations, and nonprofits focused on energy, environmental, local government, or other issues to support municipalities pursuing Charging Smart designation. Selected Regional Engagement Partners will receive comprehensive program training and ongoing support from IREC and its national network of technical assistance providers.
The project period runs 8–10 months, during which partners will recruit communities, provide technical assistance, and support participants through the designation process. While not required, Regional Engagement Partners are strongly encouraged to organize communities into cohorts to leverage shared learning opportunities and maintain momentum toward designation goals. IREC anticipates making up to 8 awards, with contracts ranging from $40,000–$60,000 based on the scope of work proposed.
Public Inquiries
Yes, although questions with identifying information will be rephrased so as not to provide specifics (i.e. location, organization).
The RFP award recipients are intended for regional organizations that support local jurisdictions on topics including transportation electrification. The Charging Smart program targets cities, towns, and counties. Any local government that has control over zoning and permitting is eligible. This includes counties that regulate development in unincorporated areas.
Yes, IREC is seeking applications from California-based organizations. The RFP list of current state and regional partner geographies are areas that are less preferred locations since the program is already active in those locations.
There’s no reason to exclude such a pairing.
As noted in the RFP, IREC is flexible as to contracting vehicles. Advanced startup payments are not available.
Documented expressions of interest from local jurisdictions will strengthen proposals.
Yes, they are eligible.
Yes, they are eligible.
Yes, that is acceptable.
No.
IREC will provide initial training followed by monthly 1 on 1 check in calls and monthly team calls with all partners. IREC and Charging Smart partners are also available to occasionally participate on cohort calls to fill gaps in subject matter expertise. We can also provide specialty technical assistance (TA). A limited amount of specialty TA is available for localities that have an EV Charging related challenge that go beyond the topics addressed in the supporting material.
Other that the preference stated in the RFP, there are no other geographic areas of focus.
Partners will be expected to invoice every quarter, but may choose to invoice monthly.
Not really. Localities decide to pursue a Bronze, Silver, or Gold designation and they either achieve one of them or not. Sometimes, however, they achieve say a Bronze designation and later “level up” to a Silver or Gold.
Not for this round of funding recipients. If there is more funding, we’ll be pursuing other geographic areas.
It is your call as to what you feel best equipped to target. And as noted in the RFP, we’re interested in designating areas not currently served.
It is a matter of degree. A proposal to work with localities in a state where the program has little or no presence would tend to be stronger than one where we have an active program. However, if the proposed work is in a sub-state region where the program has not been active, then we could justify supporting it.
Yes, fringe and other indirect costs are allowed.
Normally, respondents to a competitive procurement are defined as vendors and not subject to restrictions on funding refreshments and venue rental. However, the Dept. of Energy could still classify respondents as subrecipients, which would place more restrictions on the use of the funds. See the Uniform Guidance: 2 CFR §200.432 (“Conferences”), supplemented by §200.438 (Entertainment costs) and the general allowability criteria in §§200.402–200.411 for more clarity. Refreshments can never include Alcohol.
It isn’t final yet, but should be available in a few weeks.
