15 Passenger Bus QandA.pdf

Q&A CLARIFICATION SHEET

Procurement of a 15-Passenger Shuttle Bus — Moody AFB

This document provides the official questions submitted by prospective offerors, the Government’s authoritative responses, and the corresponding locations where these clarifications have been codified within the Statement of Work (SOW).

GENERAL PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING Q&As

1. Delivery Timeline

• Question: What is the delivery timeline?

• Answer: 90 days after award.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.1 (Delivery Schedule & Location)

2. Tax Requirements

• Question: Does the quote need to include tax?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.1 (Delivery Schedule & Location) & Section

5.1 (Tax Exemption Status)

3. Bonding Requirements

• Question: Is a bid bond or performance bond required?

• Answer: (Contracting Question) Subject to standard provisions determined by the Contracting Officer.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 5.2 (Bonds and Security)

4. State Licensing & Government Tags

• Question: Is Georgia title, registration, and government tags required?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.3 (Vehicle Documentation, Title, &

Registration)

9. Small-Business Sourcing Qualifications

• Question: Would the Government accept an offer from a small-business prime contractor sourcing the proposed vehicle directly through an authorized Ford dealership if the quotation includes documentation confirming the dealership’s authorized status, the specific vehicle’s availability, full manufacturer warranty coverage, and the dealership’s commitment to supply the vehicle for this requirement?

• Answer: Yes.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 5.3 (Contractor Sourcing Qualifications)

VEHICLE ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, & BODY STYLE

8. OEM Passenger Van Exclusion

• Question: Would an OEM passenger van be acceptable as a shuttle bus?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 1 (Background and Scope) & Section 2.1

(Driver Licensing & Weight Limits)

11. Vehicle Architecture & Classification

• Question 11a (Vehicle Body Style): The SOW title specifies a "15-Passenger Shuttle Bus," but Section 2.2 states "configured to seat 15 personnel (14 passengers + 1 driver)". Will standard OEM full-size 15-passenger vans (e.g., Ford Transit 350 Wagon, Chevy Express 3500) be evaluated on equal footing with cutaway-chassis commercial shuttle buses (e.g., Ford E-350 / E-450 body builds)?

• Answer: No, the intent of the SOW is to procure a shuttle bus.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 1 (Background and Scope)

• Question 11b (Driver Licensing Constraints): Is CDL (Commercial Driver's License) non-compliance a strict requirement? (e.g., Does the Government require the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to remain under 10,001 lbs or 26,000 lbs to allow non-CDL FSS personnel to operate the vehicle?)

• Answer: Need to be able to drive without a CDL.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Driver Licensing & Weight Limits)

• Question 11c (Dimensional Limits): Are there maximum exterior height, length, or clearance constraints for garage bays, staging areas, or base gates at Moody AFB?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Dimensional Clearances)

• Question 11d (ADA Requirements): Is an ADA-compliant configuration (e.g., wheelchair lift, tie-down positions, fold-up seats) required, or is the requirement strictly for 15 fixed standard seats?

• Answer: No ADA requirement.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Seating Configuration & Seatbelts)

16. Vehicle Configuration & Chassis Specifications

• Question 16a (Shuttle Bus Body vs. OEM Van): Paragraph 2 of the SOW is titled "15-Passenger Shuttle Bus," but several stated requirements describe features characteristic of a factory-built OEM 15-passenger van rather than a shuttle bus body built by a second-stage manufacturer on a commercial chassis.

Does the Government require a factory-built OEM 15-passenger van, or will a 15-passenger shuttle bus produced by a second-stage body manufacturer on a commercial chassis also be accepted? If both configurations are acceptable, will they be evaluated on equal footing, or is one configuration preferred?

• Answer: 15-passenger shuttle bus is required, with lap belts for passengers.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 1 (Background and Scope) & Section 2.2

(Seating Configuration & Seatbelts)

• Question 16b (Chassis Model Year vs. Body): Is a prior-model-year chassis carrying a current-model-year body acceptable under paragraph 3.1, or will the Government require a 2026 or newer chassis?

• Answer: The Government requires a 2026 or newer chassis.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Model Year Constraints)

POWERTRAIN, MECHANICAL, & TOWING SPECIFICATIONS

5. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Verification

• Question: Does the integrated trailer brake controller must appear on the factory window sticker?

• Answer: No, but must be able to verify during physical inspection that it is installed.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Towing Package Specifications) & Section 4.2 (Inspection and Acceptance Window)

7. Towing Package Class Priority

• Question: Is the class III/IV hitch a hard pass/fail line item?

• Answer: Yes.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Towing Package Specifications)

12. Powertrain, Mechanical, & Towing

• Question 12a (Engine Requirements): Will a standard, naturally aspirated high-output V6 engine be accepted if it meets all towing and payload criteria, or will it be deemed non-compliant?

• Answer: Yes.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Engine Option Flexibility)

• Question 12b (Towing Capacity Specifications): What is the minimum required Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) and tongue weight capacity required by 23

FSS?

• Answer: Minimum 3,000 lbs.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Towing Package Specifications)

• Question 12c (Drivetrain Configuration): Does 23 FSS require or prefer All- Wheel Drive (AWD) / 4WD, or is Standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) fully acceptable?

• Answer: Standard rear wheel drive is fully acceptable.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Drivetrain & Fueling Infrastructure)

• Question 12d (Fueling Infrastructure): Does Moody AFB or 23 FSS have a preference for Gasoline versus Diesel based on on-base fueling infrastructure?

• Answer: No preference.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Drivetrain & Fueling Infrastructure)

17. Technical Towing & Equipment Origin

• Question 17b (Aftermarket / Dealer-Installed Towing Options): On commercial chassis, the hitch receiver, 7-pin connector, and trailer brake controller are typically installed after the chassis leaves the assembly plant, by the dealer or the body manufacturer. Will dealer-installed or body-manufacturer-installed equipment of equal or greater rated capacity satisfy the "factory-installed" requirement?

• Answer: Yes.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Towing Package Specifications)

• Question 17c (Max Trailer Weight Target): What is the maximum trailer weight the Government intends to tow, so receiver class, hitch rating, and gross combined weight rating can be confirmed as adequate?

• Answer: 3,500 lbs.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.1 (Towing Package Specifications)

INTERIOR, HVAC, & SEATING CLARIFICATIONS

6. Flooring Material Restrictions (Rubber Mats)

• Question: Would rubber floor mats satisfy the flooring requirement?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Flooring Specifications)

10. Front & Rear Vinyl Flooring Alternative

• Question: Would factory-installed front and rear vinyl floor covering be considered acceptable as meeting the requirement for heavy-duty, slip-resistant rubber flooring?

• Answer: Yes.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Flooring Specifications)

13. Interior, HVAC, & Seating

• Question 13a (HVAC BTU Specifications): Given summer climate conditions at Moody AFB, is there a specific minimum BTU rating (e.g., 50,000+ BTU rear system) or secondary compressor requirement?

• Answer: 15,000-18,000 BTUs on the front and 55,000-70,000 BTUs in the rear.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Climate Control (HVAC))

• Question 13b (Seating Material Preference): Does the Government have a technical evaluation preference for vinyl (for ease of sanitization) over cloth?

• Answer: No preference.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Seating Materials)

• Question 13c (Luggage & Cargo Storage): Is integrated cargo / luggage space required (e.g., dedicated rear cargo compartment behind the back row, overhead parcel racks, or under-seat storage), or is standard seating spacing sufficient?

• Answer: Dedicated rear cargo compartment behind the back row is required.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Storage & Cargo Space)

• Question 13d (Passenger Amenities): Are auxiliary power outlets (USB / USB- C charging ports per row), overhead passenger reading lights, or a Public Address (PA) intercom system required?

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.3 (Passenger Amenities)

17. Passenger Seatbelt Requirements

• Question 17a (Passenger Seatbelts): Paragraph 2.2 states that all seats must be equipped with standard 3-point seatbelts. In the commercial shuttle bus market, 3-point lap-and-shoulder belts at every passenger seating position are not a standard configuration. Please confirm that the Government requires 3-point lap-and-shoulder belts at all fourteen (14) passenger seating positions and will not accept lap belts at passenger positions.

• Answer: 3-point belt for the driver and lap belts for passengers is acceptable.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.2 (Seating Configuration & Seatbelts)

EXTERIOR, SAFETY, & DESIGN ELEMENTS

14. Exterior, Safety, & Technology

• Question 14a (Exterior Paint Constraints): Is Standard OEM White required for fleet matching, or are other factory colors acceptable?

• Answer: Other Factory colors are fine.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Exterior Painting & Markings)

• Question 14b (Agency Decals and Lettering): Is the contractor required to install government agency decals, base identification lettering, or vinyl wraps prior to delivery?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Exterior Painting & Markings)

• Question 14c (Backup Camera Preference): Section 2.3 states an OEM backup / rearview camera is "preferred but not required". Will proposals offering a factory camera receive higher technical evaluation preference or scoring than those without?

• Answer: No.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.3 (Visibility & Backup Camera)

• Question 14d (Window Tinting Specifications): Is factory solar-tinted glass sufficient, or does the Government require specific aftermarket dark privacy tint on passenger windows?

• Answer: Factory solar-tinted glass is sufficient.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 2.3 (Visibility & Backup Camera)

17. DoD Markings

• Question 17d: Are there any exterior color, lettering, decal, or DoD marking requirements for the vehicle? None are stated in the SOW.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Exterior Painting & Markings)

LOGISTICS, WARRANTY, & DELIVERY RULES

15. Delivery, Inspection, & Logistics

• Question 15a (Model Year Flexibility): Section 3.1 specifies "current model year or newer". Will brand-new, unused prior-model-year vehicles (e.g., 2025 model year with 0 delivery miles and full warranty) be considered compliant?

• Answer: No, the requirement is for a 2026 model or newer.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Model Year Constraints)

• Question 15b (Inspection & Acceptance Window): What is the formal Government inspection and acceptance period (e.g., 5 or 10 business days) following physical delivery to 5091 Gardner St., Bldg 400?

• Answer: 10 business days.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.2 (Inspection and Acceptance Window)

• Question 15c (Fuel Level at Delivery): Is the vehicle required to be delivered with a full tank of fuel?

• Answer: Yes, a full tank of fuel is required.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 3.1 (Delivery Condition & Fuel)

• Question 15d (SF-97 Agency Point of Contact): Who is the designated Government Point of Contact (POC) for receiving the Certificate of Origin and executing Federal vehicle registration paperwork (Form SF-97)?

• Answer: POC information will be provided to the winning contractor post-award.

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.3 (Vehicle Documentation, Title, &

Registration)

18. Delivery Lead Time Discrepancies

• Question 18a (Lead Time Window Adjustment): What is the Government’s required delivery date, or the maximum acceptable delivery lead time after award? A vehicle requiring a newly manufactured body on a commercial chassis will typically require approximately 90 to 180 days after award, depending on chassis and component availability. (Note: Initial note indicates "45 days after award", official SOW directs prioritization of Question 1's 90-day period).

• Answer: Please refer to question 1 (90 days after award).

• SOW Section Reference: Section 4.1 (Delivery Schedule & Location)

• Question 18b (Evaluation Weight of Delivery Schedules): Will delivery lead time be an evaluation factor, and if so, how will it be weighted relative to price?

• SOW Section Reference: Section 5.4 (Evaluation Methodology)