Consolidated_Q_A_Responses.pdf
PDF 133 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- EV00017915
- Issued by
- Suffolk County, Massachusetts
About this file
This is an Addendum 2 Vendor Questions and Responses document for the City of Boston Public Schools (BPS) RFP EV00017915 regarding the purchase of 71 passenger school buses equipped with internal combustion engines. The RFP solicits proposals for buses with seating and weight capacity for 71 students, with a not-to-exceed budget of $4,125,000. The question submission deadline was September 23, 2026, with a pre-proposal Q&A conference call held on September 22, 2026. Vendor demonstrations are scheduled for October 6-8, 2026, and the contractor is expected to be selected by October 23, 2026. The contract term spans three years with pricing that must remain constant throughout the entire period. Delivery of 33 buses is due to BPS Administrative Offices at 2300 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts, on October 4, 2026.
Key specifications clarified in the responses include mandatory hydraulic brakes (no air brakes), full interior air conditioning for all students and the driver, and a 360-degree birds eye view camera system integrated as a factory option. The vendor must provide 80 hours of training per batch of buses purchased under individual purchase orders and supply a complete list of part numbers with access to the bus manufacturer's online parts lookup platform at no additional cost. Three certified warranty service providers must be listed, preferably from different companies. Vendors are not required to be on the MA State Contract VEH111 but must commit to delivery lead times consistent with VEH111 terms. Pricing must remain unchanged throughout the three-year contract term, and cruise control systems must be completely omitted or disabled to ensure no functional cruise control capability exists on any bus.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase_of_71_Passenger_School_Buses_with_Interna.pdf | ||
| Amendment_to_RFP_17915.pdf | ||
| Amendment_to_RFP_17915 (1).pdf |
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Addendum 2
RFP EV00017915
Vendor Questions & Responses
Please note that this set of answers is in response to written questions submitted to BPS in writing by the question submission deadline, September 23, 2026, as well as questions asked during the pre-proposal Q&A conference call that took place on September 22, 2026. The answers provided herein are final.
1. Will Boston entertain an air brake option at this time?
No, we are not currently able to utilize buses equipped with air brakes. All buses must have hydraulic brakes.
2. Does the RFP include a requirement for any wheelchair buses?
No wheelchair buses are requested in this RFP.
3. Does the RFP include a requirement for any CSRS harnesses?
No CSRS harnesses are requested in this RFP.
4. Does Boston have a specified A/C BTU requirement for each bus respectively?
A specific air conditioning BTU requirement cannot be specified, primarily because the required output would be different depending on the make and model of the bus and the included options. Instead, BPS has included in the RFP certain standards and criteria that the A/C system must meet or exceed. Please refer to the RFP for details.
5. Does the cruise control system need to be completely omitted from the build of the bus or can it be disabled?
Either approach is acceptable as long as there is no functional cruise control on the bus.
6. Will BPS expect pricing to remain the same throughout the entire three year contract term?
Yes, pricing must remain the same.
7. If the vendor plans on quoting a bus with an engine that will not be available for the bus demonstrations that will be scheduled between October 13, 2026 and
October 15, 2026 is it acceptable to demonstrate a bus with a different engine?
Yes, a bus with similar specifications can be substituted during the demonstration(s) so long as the vendor provides a written list of all the differences between the demonstration bus and the bus being quoted, before the demonstration.
8. Is BPS seeking buses equipped with air conditioning throughout the entire bus or only for the driver?
The entire interior of the bus must be air conditioned for all the students and the driver.
9. What camera manufacturer is BPS requesting for the 360 degree birds eye view cameras?
BPS does not have a preferred manufacturer for these driver-aid cameras other than whatever system is the most integrated factory installed option. To be clear, this camera system is different from the Lytx brand cameras that BPS utilizes for downloadable online viewing of the interior and the exterior front views of the bus. This camera is intended for use by the driver.
10. What is The City of Boston’s “Direct Vision” rating system?
Please see pages 5 and 6 of the RFP for full details and information on how to test the compliance of the bus for this rating system.
11. For the BPS requirement that three certified warranty service providers be listed would it be acceptable to list different locations of the same provider?
Yes, if that is all that is available but different companies would be preferable.
12. Is BPS requesting a list of part numbers for every single part on the bus?
Yes, in addition the vendor must also provide access to the bus manufacturer’s online parts lookup platform for BPS and its contracted fleet management contractor, including exploded parts diagram views, at no additional cost.
13. Is the 80 hours of training requirement specified per bus, per year, or for the entire contract term?
The vendor will provide 80 hours of training per batch of buses (e.g., per purchase order).
14. Does the vendor have to be on the VEH111 MA State Contract in order to participate in this RFP?
No, but the vendor commits to a delivery lead time from the moment when a Purchase
Order (PO) is issued and accepted per the terms of MA Operational Service Division
(OSD) State Contract VEH111.
| Addendum 2 |
| RFP EV00017915 |
| Vendor Questions & Responses |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .