Source: United States General Services Administration
July 13, 2022
ANN ARBOR, MI – U.S. General Services Administrator Robin Carnahan visited Ann Arbor, Michigan today where she discussed GSA and Biden-Harris Administration efforts to electrify the federal fleet and announced a new “one-stop-shop” for procurement of goods and services to make it easier for federal agencies to purchase zero-emission vehicles and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
In a roundtable meeting with auto manufacturers, as well as utility and union representatives at the University of Michigan’s Mcity Test Facility, the Administrator discussed how GSA is helping transition the federal fleet to 100% electric by obtaining the necessary infrastructure, including charging stations, for federal facilities. GSA aims to simplify the process for other federal agencies through specialized acquisition resources to guide the process from start to finish.
“Electrifying the federal fleet will have enormous benefits, and we want to make it as easy as possible for federal agencies to make this transition,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Today’s meeting with auto industry stakeholders was a meaningful step as we work to strengthen partnerships, tackle shared challenges, and work together to advance American manufacturing and clean energy innovation.”
GSA is working with agencies across the federal government to achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of 100% zero-emission vehicle acquisitions for the federal fleet by 2035 and 100% zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027. So far in FY2022, federal agencies have ordered more than 3,000 ZEVs and awarded ZEV offerings increased by 82% compared to FY21, jumping from 34 to 62. President Biden’s FY23 budget includes $300 million for GSA and $457 million for other agencies to help facilitate the Administration’s goals to build charging infrastructure and purchase ZEVs.
To further facilitate the federal government’s transition to clean vehicles, GSA is working to make it easier for federal agencies to purchase and install electric vehicle charging stations. In April, GSA awarded new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Blanket Purchase Agreements, which will make it easier for federal customers to buy charging station equipment. At that time, the agency made awards to 16 successful offerors, nine of which are small businesses. GSA anticipates making the first awards later this summer in its new governmentwide construction and design/build IDIQ contracts, established to support the installation of charging station infrastructure at federal locations nationwide.
“Electrifying the nation’s federal fleet of vehicles will not only help address the real and growing threat of climate change, but also bring down federal transportation costs and save taxpayers in the long-run,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I applaud the Biden Administration for its efforts to both streamline and accelerate the transition to an all-electric federal fleet – and I’ll keep working to advance efforts in the Senate that ensure we reach our goal of a zero-emissions fleet by 2035.”
“With the transportation sector making up 27 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying the federal fleet has never been more important in our fight against the climate crisis,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “Working with GSA Administrator Carnahan, the auto industry, and other stakeholders, we will pursue President Biden’s climate goals and ensure a smooth transition to a zero-emission federal fleet by 2035.”
More information is available at www.gsa.gov/ElectrifyTheFleet.
# # #
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.