NIGP 07115: Buses Complete, School (Conventional Type) (see Classes 556 Thru 559 for Mass Transit Vehicles)

NIGP 07115 Buses Complete, School (Conventional Type) Item covers acquisition of new school buses and specialized student transportation vehicles that state and local school districts and charter schools procure to support daily operations, special-needs services, and field trip logistics. Recent solicitations show districts buying conventional Type C yellow school buses with capacities ranging from 54 to 72 passengers, paratransit-style vehicles with wheelchair lifts and low-floor accessibility for students with disabilities, and activity buses configured for specific operational needs. Issuing bodies include independent school districts in Texas and Georgia, county boards of education, public charter schools, and municipal transit authorities serving educational populations. The Stockton Unified School District in California is actively soliciting specialized transportation services for students with severe disabilities served at Walton Special Center (RFP RFPNO262711, due October 30, 2026), while Barrow County Board of Education in Georgia issued an IFB for up to 40 Type C passenger school buses with wheelchair-lift variants (PE55065NONST2027000000087, due August 24, 2026). Recent activity spans California, Texas, and Georgia, with additional procurement momentum in Florida and metropolitan Atlanta jurisdictions.

Procurement under this code reflects both capital acquisition of new vehicles and ongoing transportation services contracts. The Barrow County bid specified detailed requirements including 220 HP inline six-cylinder diesel engines, Allison automatic transmissions, Bendix air brake systems with ABS, emergency communication systems, and wheelchair lifts on select units, with four-year warranties on chassis components and OEM training for mechanics. An unnamed Texas school district issued RFP 27-0806 for new school buses supporting the 2026-2027 school year (due August 6, 2026), while Ivy Preparatory Academy for Girls at Kirkwood in DeKalb County, Georgia, solicited student transportation services for approximately 150 scholars via three designated transportation hubs with vendor evaluation weighted toward service scope (30 points), experience (20 points), costs (15 points), and reputation (15 points). The City of Arlington, Texas, procured up to four transit vehicles and a portable EV charging solution for Handitran paratransit (RFP 26-0185, due May 28, 2026), requiring FTA Eligible Transit Vehicle Manufacturer certification and Buy America compliance for federally funded acquisitions. State of Texas sought an activity bus with specific seating configurations and interior specifications (Solicitation 771TRANS26B0002).