A1: The funds which support this RFA have already been obligated, and are MEC’s to use in fulfillment of the objectives of this specific project, and in accordance with the rules and overall goals of the DERA program. We have already completed the first of three projects planned for the DERA 2022-23 program year and reimbursed our project partner for their purchase of buses in July 2024. Our contract with EPA has been executed and is in force, and we do not believe that funds dedicated to this RFA will be impacted by any attempts to defund or reduce future DERA programs at the legislative level.

A2: Funds have already been obligated to MEC to this project and would be available to project partners once they have completed project objectives (i.e. destroying  old vehicles, buying and deploying new vehicles, and providing documents to MEC required to complete our invoicing process). Once these processes are complete and MEC has received all needed documentation, we anticipate 30-60 days for transfer of funds.

A3: Generally no – in most cases, we anticipate single rebate payments through this RFA. Compared with some past DERA programs involving 25 or 35 vehicles, we are expecting generally smaller projects.  In addition, the final deployment/scrapping deadline of June 30, 2026, makes for a compressed project timeline. However, project partners deploying EVs might want to invoice MEC labor and equipment costs for installing EV charging systems before invoicing for vehicles arriving later.