Businesses are being asked to submit bids to design and build a charging station for a new fleet hi-tech electric buses.

The request for proposal was released on the Government website and called for assistance in the “design, build, installation, commissioning and staff training for maintenance and use” of a charging station.

The station, which will be built at the transport ministry’s Fort Langton depot in Devonshire, must have at least 15 charging pedestals that can accommodate the first 30 electric buses.

Designers should also consider space requirements for an additional 15 stations that could be installed at a later date.

The request for proposal also notes a plan to integrate solar panels on the roof of the main bus garage and an accompanying battery storage solution.

The Government will hold a pre-bid conference call on Wednesday at 10am to share the project’s mandatory submission requirements and give potential bidders a chance to ask any questions.

Those interested must confirm their attendance before Monday at 5pm by e-mailing Chris Bulley at cbulley@gov.bm with the subject “Electric Charging Station Facility RFP Registration”. A call-in number will be provided the following day through a reply e-mail.

Proposals must be submitted to Mr Bulley by August 2 at 3pm.

Lawrence Scott, the Minister of Transport, confirmed last Tuesday that the first group of electric buses would arrive in January, with a fully operational fleet to be up and running the following March.

Mr Scott added that, although buses were originally scheduled to arrive at the end of the year, he wanted to make sure the island had the proper infrastructure to accommodate them.