Q&A 1.docx

This is a Question & Answer document issued by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for solicitation 04824 regarding light/medium duty transit buses on behalf of the Washington State Transit Bus Cooperative. The document addresses bidder inquiries received during the question and answer period for this competitive solicitation. Key clarifications provided include specifications regarding acceptable vehicle configurations, with DES rejecting bids for certain electric light and medium duty bus specifications (26.7 feet with 21,500 GVWR and various seating capacities) under the light/medium duty category; however, these vehicles may be submitted as additional options under category 4. Additionally, DES clarified that heavy duty buses exceeding medium duty specifications would be considered only if submitted under the heavy duty category, which is being posted separately from this solicitation. The document emphasizes that heavy duty and four additional categories are to be posted on later dates.

Regarding Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) compliance, DES clarified that while it does not grant FTA waivers directly, it will accept waivers provided by the FTA if submitted with bids prior to the bid deadline, as outlined in Section 1.12 of Exhibit D of the contract. The document addresses questions regarding whether FTA waivers—including Public Interest Waivers, Non-Availability Waivers, and Price Differential Waivers—would be granted for electric buses assembled in the United States with internationally sourced materials, confirming that such waivers must be requested directly from the Federal Transportation Authority. All inquiries regarding the solicitation should be directed to Procurement Coordinator Nina Mesihovic at 360-407-9404 or Nina.mesihovic@des.wa.gov.