AB 617 Program Clean Community School Initiative Applications Open 2/10/26 - All Applications Must Be Received Via South Coast AQMD’s AB 617 CAP Incentives Online Grant Management System

PA2026-06
2026
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
AB 617 PROGRAM
CLEAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL INITIATIVE
SOUTH COAST AQMD PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
PA2026-06
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is pleased to announce
the availability of funds for the Assembly Bill (AB) 617 Clean Community School Initiative.
AB 617 was signed into California state law in July 2017 and provides a community-focused
action framework to improve air quality and reduce exposure to criteria air pollutants and toxic
air contaminates in communities most impacted by air pollution. The AB 617 Program requires
the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and air districts, including South Coast AQMD, to
engage with community members of heavily impacted communities to develop strategies to
address air quality issues, strategies which include incentives for both mobile and stationary
sources. As part of AB 617, CARB and air districts including South Coast AQMD, are
implementing the Community Air Protection Program, which is centered on community-
informed local emissions and exposure reduction actions to help advance air pollution control
efforts, which include targeted incentive funding to accelerate the deployment of cleaner
technologies.
Also, CARB's Statewide Strategy and Implementation Guidance on the AB 617 Program,
Blueprint 2.0, further focuses AB 617 commitments to implement community emission and
monitoring plans for the communities most impacted by air pollution and to provide additional
program support for Consistently Nominated Communities (CNCs) and Disadvantaged
Communities (DACs) as defined by SB 535 as communities based on geographic,
socioeconomic, public health and environmental hazard criteria.
The AB 617 Clean Community School Initiative is an incentive-based program focusing solely
on public school-related projects located in CNCs and DACs that can provide emission
reductions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM10) and Reactive Organic Gases
(ROG) from heavy-duty vehicles and other stationary equipment operating in California as early
and as cost-effectively as possible. The AB 617 Clean Community School Initiative will provide
financial incentives to equipment owners and operators to replace in-use heavy-duty school
buses with zero-emission school buses, charging infrastructure and other equipment technologies
and projects that are used and associated with public school-related activities, that will achieve
emission reductions that are real, surplus, quantifiable and enforceable.
SECTION I - PURPOSE
The purpose of this Program Announcement (PA) is to solicit eligible projects that are solely
associated with public schools located in a CNC or DAC. The list of projects is highlighted in
Section III - Funding Category and will include:
1

PA2026-06
1. School Bus Replacement (for Zero-Emission School Buses)
2. Charging Infrastructure
At least $30 million is available under this solicitation from the AB 617 Community Air
Protection (CAP) Incentive Funds. Of the $30 million:
1. $20 million is allocated towards School Bus Replacement
2. $10 million is allocated towards Charging Infrastructure
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to reallocate funding amounts for each category
depending upon program demands and priorities. All applications will be evaluated based on the
criteria set forth in this PA, the Carl Moyer Program Guidelines, the Community Air Protection
Incentive Guidelines, and any subsequent updates and modifications/advisories to the guidelines.
This PA generally identifies the equipment categories, project options and eligibility criteria to
qualify for grant funding. Any tax obligation associated with an award is the responsibility of the
grantee.
In the preparation of this PA, the words "Applicant" and "Recipient" are used interchangeably.
South Coast AQMD staff will evaluate all qualified applications and make recommendations to
the Governing Board for final selection of project(s) to be funded. Eligible projects for School
Bus Replacements will be processed after the application due date and will be based on the cost-
effectiveness of NOx, PM10 and ROG emissions reduced and other criteria as described in
Section VI (Application Evaluation/Recipient Selection Criteria). South Coast AQMD will
prioritize the selection of projects to reduce emissions in and around CNCs and DACs and low-
income communities located within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction. While South Coast
AQMD encourages all eligible applications, this means that some projects may not be selected
based on their domicile address, regardless of their cost-effectiveness.
For this PA, 100 percent of South Coast AQMD's AB 617 CAPP Incentive funds will be
targeted for projects that meet the criteria of a disadvantaged or low-income community projects
or are located within a CNC. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
in the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has developed the California
Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool: CalEnviroScreen Version 4.0
(CalEnviroScreen 4.0). The CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool will be used by South Coast AQMD to
identify projects that qualify as a DAC, which is defined as scoring in the top 25th percentile and
will strive to maximize the benefits to these communities. All applications will be assessed with
the CalEnviroScreen tool to identify and verify if the project will benefit a DAC within the 25th
percentile. This tool is available at: https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-
40
South Coast AQMD's AB 617 Clean Community School Initiative is administered locally
through the Community Engagement and Air Programs division. Applicants may only be offered
partial funding due to cost-effectiveness or funding category limitations (i.e., caps), and not all
applications that meet the cost-effectiveness criteria may be funded.
SECTION II - LEGAL UPDATES AND DEFINITIONS
2

PA2026-06
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Applicant must address any potential conflicts of interest with other clients affected by actions
performed by the firm on behalf of the South Coast AQMD. Although the applicant will not be
automatically disqualified by reason of work performed for such firms, the South Coast AQMD
reserves the right to consider the nature and extent of such work in evaluating the application.
Conflicts of interest will be screened on a case-by-case basis by the South Coast AQMD General
Counsel's Office. Conflict of interest provisions of the state law, including the Political Reform
Act, may apply to work performed pursuant to this contract. An example of a conflict of interest
may occur when a consultant applying on behalf of an applicant for funding under the Carl
Moyer Program is also contracted with South Coast AQMD.
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS
Applicants must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations.
If the application is eligible for funding, all vehicles and/or equipment to be purchased, or
installed must be compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local air quality rules and
regulations, and will maintain compliance for the full agreement term.
COMPLIANCE WITH LABOR LAWS
If an application is deemed eligible, the applicant will be required to provide any labor violations
that have occurred within the last three years to be further considered for an award. If awarded,
the recipient will be required to notify South Coast AQMD in writing if they have been found by
a court or federal or state agency to have violated labor laws. As part of their annual report, the
recipient will complete a yearly certification in which they will either state that they have not
been found by a court or federal or state agency to have violated labor laws or, if such violations
have been found, the recipient will give South Coast AQMD details about those violations in the
certification. If the recipient has previously provided that information to the South Coast AQMD,
they will be required to reattach that previous notification to the certification and provide any
additional details about those violations that have not previously been provided. The recipient's
yearly certification will be due at the same time as the annual progress reports. South Coast
AQMD reserves the right to terminate the agreement with a recipient that has been found to have
violated labor laws, and the recipient may be required to return any and all agreement funds, as
determined by South Coast AQMD. The recipient will also ensure that these requirements are
included in all subcontracts.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Government Code Section 12990 and California Administrative Code, Title II, Division 4,
Chapter 5, require employers to agree not to unlawfully discriminate against any employee or
applicant because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, medical
condition, marital status, sex, or age. A statement of compliance with this clause is included in
all South Coast AQMD contracts.
3

PA2026-06
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS (RUSSIA/UKRAINE)
On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Oder N-6-22 (EO) regarding
sanctions in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Applicants who are considered eligible
for Carl Moyer Program funds under this Program Announcement and received executed
contracts from South Coast AQMD, are obligated to comply with existing economic sanctions
imposed by the U.S. government in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
DEFINITIONS
Alternative Fuel
Alternative fuels include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen
(H2), liquid propane gas (LPG) and electric technologies. Experimental technologies and fuels
will be referred to CARB for evaluation and possible eligibility in the Program.
Consistently Nominated Communities
Under the AB 617 Program, a consistently nominated community is a community identified as
heavily impacted by air quality burdens and have been either self-nominated or recommended by
community-based organizations or an air district since 2018 and are not part of the six (6) AB
617-designated, CARB-approved communities located within the South Coast AQMD
jurisdiction. These six AB 617-designated communities are:
* East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, West Commerce (ELABHWC)
* San Bernardino, Muscoy (SBM)
* Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach (WCWLB)
* Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV)
* Southeast Los Angeles (SELA)
* South Los Angeles (SLA)
Disadvantaged Communities
According to state law (SB 535 De Leon, Statutes of 2012), CalEPA designates these
communities based on geographic, socioeconomic, public health, and environmental hazard
criteria. These criteria may include, but are not limited to, areas disproportionately affected by
environmental pollution and other hazards and areas with concentration of people that are of low
income, high unemployment, low levels of home ownership, high rent burden, or low levels of
educational attainment. The CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool will be used by South Coast AQMD to
identify projects that qualify as a DAC, which is defined as scoring in the top 25th percentile.
This tool is available at: https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-40
Equipment Replacement
Equipment replacement means the replacement of an older vehicle or piece of equipment that
still has remaining useful life with zero-emission technologies. For equipment replacement
project types, applicants must have owned and operated the old (i.e., existing) equipment in
California for the previous two years from date of application.
South Coast AQMD Jurisdiction
The South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the
urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This area of 10,743
4

PA2026-06
square miles is home to approximately 17 million people-about half the population of the state
of California. It is the second most populated urban area in the United States and one of the
smoggiest. Visit http://www.aqmd.gov/nav/about/jurisdiction for more information.
SECTION III - FUNDING CATEGORY
Project equipment must be domiciled within the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction and operate a
minimum of 51% of the time within the boundaries of the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.
Below are the specific project categories identified for funding under this PA:
School Buses
1. Applicant Eligibility
Private transportation providers that own their own school buses and are contracted with and
service public schools located within a CNC and/or DAC are eligible to apply.
2. Project Eligibility
Existing School Bus Requirements:
South Coast AQMD is seeking applications from private transportation providers (that
own their own school buses and are contracted with public school districts) to replace
older school buses with combustion engines and with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of over 8,501 lbs. At a minimum, applicants will need to provide information
identifying each of the school buses proposed for replacement, as well as documentation
demonstrating current DMV registration, title, continuous CHP certification for the past
two years, and photos of the school bus VIN, GVWR, and engine tag. The school buses
proposed for replacement must be dismantled as required by the Carl Moyer Program
Guidelines.
Table 1, below, provides a summary of the key eligibility requirements for the existing school
buses proposed for replacement.
Table 1: Existing School Bus Requirements
1) Existing school bus must be diesel, CNG, or propane fueled
2) The existing school bus must have GVWR greater than 8,501 lbs.
3) The existing school bus must be currently registered with the DMV
4) Must be compliant with CARB's Truck and Bus Regulation
5) Existing school buses must have a current, valid CHP certificate at the time
of application
6) Must have maintained continuous CHP Safety Certificates for at least the
past 2 years*
7) Must be willing to crush/dismantle existing school bus once replaced
* If lapse in the CHP safety certification exists, applicant must submit additional
information/documentation as determined by South Coast AQMD staff to demonstrate regular
use of the school bus.
All existing combustion school buses proposed for replacement must be in current use. The
5

PA2026-06
application calls for specific information related to the existing school bus to be replaced.
Additional information may be required as evidence that the existing school bus is in operation.
If there is a break in documentation, please inform South Coast AQMD staff.
The applicant is required to attach on the application a copy of the TRUCRS Fleet List located
on the Vehicle Info tab showing the compliance option each vehicle in the fleet is using and a
copy of the TRUCRS General Fleet and Compliance Information Summary showing
compliance located on the Compliance Status tab ("Meets Small Fleet Option" will specify
"yes" if the fleet is using the Small Fleet option). The TRUCRS website can be accessed at:
https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/ssltrucrstb/trucrs_reporting/login.php.
Replacement School Bus Requirements:
Applicants may choose to purchase a zero-emission school bus that is certified or approved by
CARB, including zero emission school buses that are eligible through the state's Hybrid and
Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Executive Orders from CARB
may be downloaded at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/cert.php
Table 2, below, provides an itemized summary of the key eligibility requirements for the
replacement school buses.
Table 2: Replacement School Bus Requirements
1) New school bus must be zero emission
2) Replacement school bus must be in the same weight class as the existing
school bus, unless otherwise approved by South Coast AQMD
3) Replacement school bus must have GVWR greater than 8,501 lbs.
4) Maintain CHP Certificates during the term of contract
5) Replacement school bus must be CARB certified zero-emission school bus
technology
Applicants will need to provide a price quote and CARB Executive Order for the proposed new
school bus. Executive Orders from CARB may be downloaded at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/cert.php.
Recipients will need to own and operate the new school bus for a minimum of ten years from the
date of agreement execution.
Infrastructure Requirements:
Applicants can request funding for the purchase and installation of infrastructure to support the
new zero-emission school bus. Natural gas fueling stations are no longer eligible for funding.
Applicants must provide cost information that specifies the amount of funding requested and the
basis for that request by attaching vendor quotes to the application. Non-public entities must
provide quotes from a minimum of two different vendors with the application. The vendor
quotes must be dated within 90 days of the application submittal date. Applicants need to inform
vendors of the time frame of the award process so that they can estimate prices based on the
future/projected order/purchase date.
6

PA2026-06
Eligible costs include planning and engineering, permitting, equipment necessary for the
functional operation of the infrastructure, and installation. Operational costs are not eligible and
should not be included in the vendor quotes.
Applicants shall include a description of the installation vendor selection process. Applicants
must demonstrate that they either own the land on which the project will be located, or control it
through a long-term lease, easement, or other legal arrangement, for the duration of the project
life. Some projects may also require a case-by-case review by CARB.
Timelines for project completion need to be clearly identified. If the infrastructure project being
submitted meets Carl Moyer Program eligibility and can be completed in 2026, please highlight
this timeline.
The applicant must provide proof (i.e., letter of commitment from the fleet operator, purchase
orders, etc.) that a sufficient number of supported vehicles/equipment are acquired and/or
committed to utilizing the infrastructure when the project is complete. For infrastructure
expansion projects, documentation of increased throughput at the station is required to ensure the
expansion is commensurate with projected fueling demand.
All projects funded need to be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and
must comply with DIR requirements regarding labor practices which cover a broad prevailing
wage. The Carl Moyer Program also specifies that applicants awarded an agreement must
comply with applicable provisions of Labor Code Sections 1720-1861.
3. School Bus (and Charging Infrastructure) Funding
The maximum eligible funding amount school bus and charging infrastructure is summarized in
Table 3. The maximum funding amounts include sales tax and the cost of fire suppression and gas
detection systems; however, operators will have to pay for any additional discretionary options
that they may choose to include on the school bus. No co-funding for school bus replacement
projects will be allowed under this solicitation.
Table 3: Maximum Program Funding Amounts for School Bus Replacement
and Charging Infrastructure
School Bus South Coast AQMD Charging
Fuel Type
GVWR Maximum Award Infrastructure
Zero Up to 95% of eligible Up to 60% of eligible
>8,501 lbs.
Emission costs costs
SECTION IV - APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
7

PA2026-06
Applicants must apply for funding using the South Coast AQMD's AB 617 CAP Incentives
Online Grant Management System (GMS) which will be available on and after Tuesday,
February 10, 2026 at www.aqmd.gov/cappincentives. In addition, all Business Information
Forms including Conflict of Interest and Project Cost information, as described below, must also
be submitted with the application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all
information submitted is accurate and complete. Paper applications will not be accepted.
PROJECT COST
Applicants must provide cost information that specifies the amount of funding requested and the
basis for that request by attaching vendor quotes to the application. The vendor quotes must be
dated within 90 days of the application submittal date. Applicants need to inform vendors of the
time frame of the award process so that they can estimate prices based on the future/projected
order/purchase date.
Purchase orders or other purchase commitments shall not be placed until after the date of award
approval by the South Coast AQMD Governing Board. Purchase orders may be placed after
South Coast AQMD Governing Board approval and in advance of a fully executed contract, but
these orders/commitments are placed at the applicant's own risk.
All project costs must be clearly indicated in the application. In addition, applicants must
disclose all sources of co-funding (except for school bus replacement projects as no co-funding
will be allowed), including the name of the funding source and amount of funding in the
application. Applicants are cautioned that the project life period used in calculating
emissions reductions will be used to determine the length of their annual reporting
obligation. In other words, a project applicant using a ten-year life for the emissions reduction
calculations will be required to operate, track and report activity for the project vehicle for the
full ten years. The agreement term will also be ten years.
Applicants are not required to calculate a project's cost-effectiveness. Methodologies for
calculating cost-effectiveness are provided in the Carl Moyer Program Guidelines at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/AppendixCCostEffectivenessCalculations.pdf
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
All online applications must be submitted according to specifications set forth herein. Failure to
adhere to these specifications may be cause for rejection of the application without evaluation.
Grounds for Rejection: An application may be immediately rejected if:
* Does not include correct documentation and other forms required.
* All applications are not signed by an individual authorized to represent the firm.
Staff Contact Information: South Coast AQMD staff contacts are listed under South Coast
AQMD Staff Contacts and Additional Resources below. Applicants may contact South Coast
AQMD staff to discuss their project prior to submitting an online application to ensure program
eligibility.
8

PA2026-06
Business Information Forms: All business information forms must be completed and
submitted with the online application. Please note, if recommended for an award, you will be
required to submit an updated Campaign Contribution Disclosure form at a later date. Download
these forms at www.aqmd.gov/moyer. These business forms will also be available on the Carl
Moyer Program GMS.
Electronic Submittal: A link to access South Coast AQMD's Carl Moyer Program GMS will be
available on February 10, 2026 at: www.aqmd.gov/cappincentives. The Carl Moyer Program
GMS allows applicants to submit applications electronically to the South Coast AQMD and track
the progress of their application(s). Applications must be submitted through the AB 617 CAP
Incentives GMS by Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The GMS will not allow applications
to be submitted after the due date and time. South Coast AQMD "Business Information Forms"
requiring signatures must be scanned and uploaded to the electronic application in PDF format.
First-time users must register as a new user to access the system. Applicants will receive a
confirmation email after all required documents have been successfully uploaded. A tutorial of
the system will be provided at the pre-application workshops or online and you may contact staff
if you would like additional assistance.
Third parties assisting in applications may create their own account on the Carl Moyer Program
GMS that can be linked through the primary user account.
Missing Information - Within thirty (30) business days of the online application submittal due
date of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, South Coast AQMD will email letters to applicants regarding the
missing or incomplete information. Applicants will have seven (7) business days to provide any
missing information requested in the letter. It will be the applicant's responsibility to submit the
missing or incomplete information within the time specified by South Coast AQMD staff. Only
complete applications can move forward in the evaluation process.
Disposition of Applications - The South Coast AQMD reserves the right to reject any or all
applications. All responses become the property of the South Coast AQMD. A copy of each
application not selected for funding shall be retained for one year. Additional copies and
materials will be returned only if requested and at the applicant's expense.
SECTION V - WORK STATEMENT/SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES
Prior to submitting the application, applicants must sign and agree to the terms and conditions of
the requirements for submitting additional project information to finalize an agreement and that
all vehicles or equipment shall be in operation within eighteen (18) months of agreement
execution.
SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work will describe tasks and deliverables that demonstrate compliance with the
requirements of the Carl Moyer Program as administered by CARB and the South Coast AQMD.
The project applicant is responsible for developing detailed project plans and ordering equipment
that complies with the program criteria and guideline requirements. In addition, alternative fuel
project applicants must discuss their plan for refueling the proposed vehicles/equipment, and if
9

PA2026-06
appropriate, should provide a letter of agreement from their fuel provider (see Application
forms).
At a minimum, any agreement for funding the proposed project must meet the following criteria:
* Provide emission reductions that are real, surplus, quantifiable and enforceable in
accordance with Carl Moyer Program Guidelines, the Community Air Protection Incentive
Guidelines requirements.
* Project equipment (including charging infrastructure) must be domiciled within the
boundaries of the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.
* Meet the cost-effectiveness limit, as described by Carl Moyer Program Guidelines, and
subsequent Carl Moyer Program Advisories.
* Commit that project engines or equipment operate in service for the full project life and at
least 51 percent of annual operation must occur within the South Coast AQMD.
* The cost-effectiveness calculation is based on the percent operation within the South Coast
AQMD boundary. Project life is the number of years used to determine the cost-
effectiveness and is equal to the agreement term.
* Commit that all vehicles/engines/equipment are in operation within 18 months of agreement
execution.
* Provide for appropriate recordkeeping during the project life (i.e., annual throughput/usage,
annual mileage, fuel consumption), including submission of annual reports as detailed
below.
* Ensure that the project complies with all applicable local, state and federal rules and
regulations, and the resulting emission reductions from the project are not required as a
mitigation measure to reduce adverse environmental impacts that are identified in an
environmental document prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality
Act or the National Environmental Policy Act.
* If requested, recipient must provide a financial statement and bank reference, or other
evidence of financial ability to fulfill agreement requirements.
* If requested, recipient must make all equipment and records available to the South Coast
AQMD or CARB for audit and inspections.
PAYMENT TERMS
For all projects, full payment will be made upon installation and commencement of operation of
the funded equipment. Any tax obligation associated with an award is the responsibility of the
Recipient.
Specifically for school bus replacement projects:
1. Following receipt of the fully executed agreement from South Coast AQMD, the school
district must provide a copy of the agreement and key attachments to the selected
vendor(s). Per the provisions of the grant, a purchase order shall be placed without delay to
allow for the prompt delivery of the buses.
2. Funds will be paid on a reimbursement basis to the vendor, following the delivery of the
new school bus(es) to the applicant (and all supporting documents required by the grant
10