Key takeaways
- The NEVI Formula Program provides $5 billion to states for EV charging infrastructure.
- Common ways agencies buy energy and EV charging: DOE IDIQ Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC), DOE IDIQ ESPC awarded projects, NEVI Formula Program (via state DOTs).
- Rules to plan for: IRA elective pay (direct pay), OBBBA solar and wind credit deadlines, Federal ESPC process.
- A contract vehicle or vendor registration makes buying easier, but it doesn't create demand. The vendors that win reach program owners before budgets and bids are set.
Who buys energy and EV charging in government
Purchases of energy and EV charging happen across federal agencies, states, counties, cities, school districts and colleges, hospitals, tribal governments, special districts and public utilities. The people you'll deal with usually include:
- Federal agencies through DOE FEMP energy savings performance contracts
- State energy offices and state DOTs (NEVI)
- Cities, counties and transit agencies
- K-12 districts and public universities
- Public power utilities and electric cooperatives
- Water/wastewater utilities and special districts
- Job titles: facilities director, energy manager, sustainability officer, fleet manager, public works director, CFO/finance director, state DOT EV program manager, procurement officer
The purchasing office runs the process, but the program owner who has the problem usually decides what gets bought. Reach both. See government buyer roles for how they work together.
The government energy and EV charging market
- The NEVI Formula Program provides $5 billion to states for EV charging infrastructure. (Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, driveelectric.gov (June 2023))
- Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, solar and wind projects that did not begin construction before July 4, 2026 must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to claim the 45Y/48E clean electricity credits. (Barclay Damon, What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Clean Energy Tax Credits)
How agencies buy energy and EV charging
Small purchases under an agency's threshold can often be made with a quote or a purchase card. Larger purchases need a formal bid or an existing contract. These are the contract vehicles agencies commonly use for energy and EV charging:
| Contract vehicle | What it is |
|---|---|
| DOE IDIQ Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC) | DOE FEMP's IDIQ lets federal agencies hire qualified energy service companies to install upgrades paid for from guaranteed savings. |
| DOE IDIQ ESPC awarded projects | FEMP lists awarded federal ESPC projects, useful for finding agencies and ESCO partners. |
| NEVI Formula Program (via state DOTs) | Federal EV charging money flows through state DOTs, which run their own competitive solicitations for charging station sites. |
| HGACBuy cooperative contracts | Cooperative used by local governments nationwide, including for vehicle and equipment categories. |
Thresholds differ by state and agency; see our state procurement thresholds. For which cooperatives cover which categories, see cooperative contracts by category.
Rules and requirements for selling energy and EV charging
| Requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| IRA elective pay (direct pay) | State and local governments, tribes and other tax-exempt groups can get cash payments from the IRS for eligible clean energy tax credits, which helps them pay for solar, storage and EV chargers. |
| OBBBA solar and wind credit deadlines | Solar and wind projects that did not begin construction before July 4, 2026 must be in service by December 31, 2027 to qualify for the clean electricity credits, which shortens the window for public buyers. |
| Federal ESPC process | Federal ESPCs are run through DOE FEMP with qualified energy service companies and investment-grade audits; FEMP publishes audit and contracting guidance. |
| Trade Agreements Act (FAR 52.225-5) | Equipment sold on covered federal contracts must come from the U.S. or a designated country. |
Requirements vary by agency and contract. Read each solicitation's terms, and check with the buyer when in doubt. This isn't legal advice.
Buying signals to watch
These events often mean an agency will buy energy and EV charging soon:
- A government adopts a climate, clean fleet or energy reduction goal
- A state DOT releases a NEVI or EV charging solicitation
- Rising utility bills or aging HVAC/lighting found in a facilities assessment
- A school district or city issues an ESPC or energy services RFQ
- A project rushing to begin construction before a tax credit deadline
For more, see our guide to government buying signals and the contract expirations guide.
A sales process for selling energy and EV charging
- Register. Get into SAM.gov for federal work and each state or local vendor portal you'll sell into. Use our vendor registration checklist.
- Pick your path to purchase. Decide which contract vehicles above fit your target buyers, and whether a reseller or partner already holds one.
- Build the target list. Identify the agencies with the need, the budget and the buying authority, and the people who own the problem.
- Start conversations early. Reach program owners while budgets and requirements are still being written, not after an RFP is posted.
- Follow through to purchase. Help the buyer pick the method, whether a cooperative purchase, quote or formal bid. When a bid comes, use our RFP response guide.
How KSG helps you sell energy and EV charging
Kensington Sales Group runs outbound sales development for companies selling to the public sector. Our SDRs research your target agencies, find the program owners and purchasing contacts, and book meetings for your sales team across Federal, SLED, K-12 and higher ed, healthcare, tribal, special district and utility markets. We also run bilingual English and Spanish outreach across the Western Hemisphere.
For example, we contacted 2,500+ utilities for Siemens, gathering 5,000+ data points and booking 70 qualified meetings (read the case study).
See how our outsourced SDR service works.
Sources
- Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, driveelectric.gov (June 2023)
- Barclay Damon, What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Clean Energy Tax Credits
- DOE IDIQ Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC)
- DOE IDIQ ESPC awarded projects
- HGACBuy cooperative contracts
- IRA elective pay (direct pay)
- Federal ESPC process
- Trade Agreements Act (FAR 52.225-5)
Checked November 2, 2026.