Q&A 2.docx
DOCX document 70 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Transit Buses - Light/Medium Duty Category
- Solicitation number
- 04824-02
- Issued by
- Adams County, Asotin County, Benton County, Chelan County, Clallam County, Clark County, Columbia County, Cowlitz County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Franklin County, Garfield County, Grant County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Jefferson County, King County, Kitsap County, Kittitas County, Klickitat County, Lewis County, Lincoln County, Mason County, Okanogan County, Pacific County, Pend Oreille County, Pierce County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Skamania County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, Stevens County, Thurston County, Wahkiakum County, Walla Walla County, Whatcom County, Whitman County, Yakima County, Asotin City, Clarkston City, Clarkston Heights-Vineland CDP, West Clarkston-Highland CDP, Benton City, Chelan City, Chelan Falls CDP, Clallam Bay CDP, Lewisville CDP, Rock Island City, Pacific Beach CDP, Whidbey Island Station CDP, Mercer Island City, Pacific City, Bainbridge Island City, Kingston CDP, Kitsap Lake CDP, Kittitas City, Klickitat CDP, Okanogan City, Anderson Island CDP, Fort Lewis CDP, Fox Island CDP, Herron Island CDP, Ketron Island CDP, North Fort Lewis CDP, Raft Island CDP, Stevenson City, Hat Island CDP, Lake Stevens City, Snohomish City, Spokane City, Spokane Valley City, Puget Island CDP, Garfield Town, Yakima City, Washington
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for solicitation 04824 Transit Buses, issued by Washington State Enterprise Services on behalf of the Washington State Transit Bus Cooperative for light and medium duty transit buses. The document addresses 19 questions submitted by potential bidders regarding specification requirements, submission procedures, and compliance expectations. Key procedural clarifications include guidance on providing supplemental information through Exhibit C2 Price Sheet Additional Options lines rather than returning Exhibit B1 Specifications, the process for communicating material modifications through Exhibit B2, and the timing of pre-award audits and pre-production meetings with customers. The solicitation maintains strict adherence to specified technical requirements while allowing bidders to propose deviations as modifications to be discussed and approved by customers during pre-production meetings.
The document clarifies that contractors retain the right to refuse sales provided such refusals are infrequent, well-documented, reasonable, and made in good faith, and that purchaser-imposed terms in purchase orders cannot void or replace DES contract terms. Bids become available for public disclosure through records requests after Apparent Successful Bidders are announced, in compliance with Washington's Public Records Act. The pre-award audit occurs after purchasers determine model particulars, with Buy America Compliance certifications, specification capability certifications, and production schedules submitted at bid time. The document establishes that DES will not modify core specifications including operating range requirements, braking systems, battery specifications, HVAC performance standards, and other material requirements, though bidders may propose alternatives or deviations for customer approval during pre-production meetings. No changes to the solicitation document result from these questions and answers.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 04824 -02 SolAmd2.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824 -02 SolAmd1.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Competitive Solicitation.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit D - Contract.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit C-2 - Price Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit A-1 Bidders Certification.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit B-2 Mat. Changes to Specs.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824 - 02 Comp Sol AMD.docx | DOCX document | |
| Q&A 1.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 AMD Exhibit D - Contract.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit C-1 Price Sheet Inst.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit A-2 FTA Certifications.docx | DOCX document | |
| Q&A 3.docx | DOCX document | |
| 04824-02 Exhibit B-1 Specifications.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
04824 – Transit Buses Q&A #2 Question & Answer #2 Transit Buses – 04824
This document is posted to capture the questions received during the question & answer period for 04824 Transit Buses. This document is the official response to the questions received.
No questions or responses included in this document require any change to the solicitation document; this document stands alone.
Any additional questions regarding this solicitation must be directed to the Procurement Coordinator listed below.
Nina Mesihovic 360-407-9404 Nina.mesihovic@des.wa.gov
| Question # |
| Question |
| Response |
| Did this change the solicitation? |
| 1. |
| How do you want us to provide additional information, if requested in Exhibit B1 – Specifications, since we are told not to return Exhibit B1 with the solicitation? |
| · If the Specifications are calling for “supplement to the Pricing Schedule” or “separate line item” and asking you to write something or add more information, please utilize the Additional Options lines located at the bottom of the options tabs in Exhibit C2 - Price Sheet. |
· If the Specifications are calling to “Specify Manufacturer/ Model” in Exhibit B1 – Specifications, please utilize Additional Options lines located at the bottom of the options tabs in Exhibit C2 -Price Sheet with the designation “FROM SPECIFICATIONS”. Please do not return the whole Exhibit B1 – Specifications document with your bid.
· If the document is asking for supplemental information regarding technical aspects or drawings, those are to be communicated, shared, and discussed with the customers at the pre-production meeting. There is no need to include those documents with your bid.
No
| 2. |
| What are contractors' obligations when customers offer their terms and conditions? |
| The default of the Contract is that purchasers can add their own terms in their purchase order. Section 8.1 of the Contract doesn't allow the terms added by the purchasers to void or replace any term of the DES contract. Purchaser's terms are subject to negotiations and agreement between the parties. The terms of the Contract apply to any Purchase Order and, in the event of any conflict, the terms of this Contract shall prevail. |
| No |
| 3. |
| Are there any circumstances where we can say ‘no’ to a customer? |
| Contractors have the right to operate as a business, which includes refusing sales. However, those refusals must be not frequent, well documented, reasonable, justified, and in good faith, otherwise DES reserves the right to terminate the contract because of the lack of responsibility on the contractor's part. |
| No |
| 4. |
| When do our bids become public? |
| Unless statutorily exempt from public disclosure, contracts for goods/services and all related records are subject to public disclosure as required by Washington’s Public Records Act. See RCW 42.56. Bids will become available for request via public records request, AFTER Apparent Successful Bidders (ASB) are announced. More details are provided in Bidder Contracting Guide in slide 5 of the pre-bid slides posted in WEBS. |
| No |
| 5. |
| When is a pre-award audit? Section 1.20 of Contract Exhibit D – FTA Certification and Solicitation Exhibit A-2 - FTA Certifications. |
| At the time of bid submission, Contractor will certify Buy America Compliance in Exhibit A2, Capability to Meet Specifications in Exhibit B2, and Production Schedule by bidding on the solicitation. Once the purchasers have decided on the particulars of a model, since the model and parts are part of the Buy America calculation, they will then utilize all the certifications and confirm the audit in a pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 6. |
| What is the purpose of Exhibit B2 – Material Modifications to Specifications? |
| The purpose of Exhibit B2 is to officially communicate material deviations and modifications to Exhibit B1- Specifications and to certify substantial compliance with those specifications of the standard bus. Exhibit B2 contains material modifications that do not significantly alter the intent and scope of the solicitation and contract and are to be discussed and approved by the customer in a pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 7. |
| Specification: The operating range of the bus when run on the “Design Operating Profile” shall be at least 150 miles on a full charge at any point during the 12-year useful life of the vehicle, regardless of seasonal loads and driver efficiency. The battery capacity shall not degrade more than 20% and have 80% of the maximum capacity after 8 years of service. |
Would you approve 140 miles in the 12th year?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 8. |
| Specification: The system shall include a means of maintaining dynamic braking (braking retardation) after the hybrid energy storage system can no longer accept regenerative braking energy. The system may use air-cooled braking resistors, liquid-cooled braking resistors, electrically back-driving the diesel engine, other means, or a combination of means. The system shall be sized to dissipate sufficient energy to allow the bus to maintain a speed of no greater than 30 mph on a 6% downgrade for a minimum of 4 miles at GVWR. The system shall allow the bus to maintain this speed without engaging the service brakes. Electric buses are exempt from braking resistors if the SOC is limited to at least 90% of the SOC, to allow the system to provide and maintain dynamic braking. |
Would DES remove the requirement for break resistors for electric buses?
| No, DES will maintain this requirement in Exhibit B1 – Specifications as it addresses a need expressed by our customers. |
| No |
| 9. |
| Specification: The batteries shall be selected with sufficient cold-cranking amps (CCA) and have enough reserve capacity (RC) based on the small accessory electrical loads when the bus is parked/shut down. In order to maintain the SoC of the 24 VDC batteries during long periods when a bus is parked, a low SoC disconnect system is required. If the SoC drops below a preset value (e.g., 70% SoC), the system will pulse a bistable relay that opens the circuits of the small accessories, thereby isolating the 24 VDC batteries. When the bus driver turns the main switch to “ON,” the relay is pulsed again, reconnecting the 24 VDC batteries to the vehicle loads. Low-Voltage Batteries (24 V). |
Would DES consider removing the battery equalizer from the specifications and allowing the design without it?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification. Customers do want a mechanism that would protect the battery state of charge from dropping too low. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting |
| No |
| 10. |
| Specification: A jump-start connector, red for 24V and blue for 12V, whichever is applicable, shall be provided at a location determined at the pre-production meeting and shall be equipped with a dust cap and adequately protected from moisture, dirt, and debris. |
What type of jump-start connector do DES customers want?
The type of jump-start connector is decided in a pre-production meeting with customers. For bidding purposes, please certify that you can provide either “red for 24V and blue for 12V, whichever is applicable.”
No
| 11. |
| Specification: An optional 24-volt to 13.6-volt DC-DC converter, 30 ampere output, Model 1645-24-12-30, manufactured by Wilmore Electronics Co., Inc., or equivalent, will be made available and priced separately. |
Could we supply a bus with a standard 24V to 12V DC-DC converter, 50A output, Model VFK600-D24-S12, manufactured by CUI INC?
| If Model VFK600 is equivalent to the requested converter, the bidder may provide it. No need to add it to the modification list; however, the customer must be informed of the deviation, and the deviation from the specifications must be agreed on by the customer. |
| No |
| 12. |
| Specification: The drivetrain level components shall be programmable by the Purchaser with limitations as specified by the subsystem Supplier. If applicable, configuration and programming shall be coordinated with the contractor. |
Would DES modify the specifications to deny the customer access and reprogramming ability of the high voltage system?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification. Customers do want a mechanism that allows the adjustment of acceleration and regenerative braking strength. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 13. |
| Specification: (Electric Compressors) The air conditioning portion of the HVAC system shall be capable of reducing the passenger compartment temperature to 110 to 80° F, ±3 °F, in less than 30 minutes for 30, 35, 40, and 60 ft buses. During the cooldown period, the refrigerant pressure shall not exceed safe high-side pressures, and the condenser discharge air temperature, measured 6 in. from the surface of the coil, shall be less than 45 °F above the condenser inlet air temperature. No simulated solar load shall be used. There shall be no passengers on board, and the doors and windows shall be closed. |
Would DES modify the specifications to allow the inclusion of an HVAC unit from SONGZ? Both cooling and heating capacity is 23kW (78479BTU), and there is a heat pump integrated in the unit.
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but Bidder may include the unit as long as it is equivalent and meets the temperature management requirements stated in Specifications. Include in the modification list in Exhibit B2. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 14. |
| Specification: Bidders shall supply the Thermo King Screw design (Intelligent Air) or equivalent. The lower A/C compressor and upper condenser/evaporator package shall be of the same manufacturer. |
For Electric Buses, provide ThermoKing Electric or equivalent A/C rear or roof mounted with Intelligaire III or equivalent. Manufacturers shall provide diagnostic software, including diagnostic cables, with the first production bus in each order group. Provide an additional data port in or near the driver's area. The HVAC system, excluding the operator's heater/defroster, shall be centrally controlled with an advanced electronic/diagnostic control system with provisions for extracting/reading data. Settings will not be lost when the master switch is turned off.
Would DES modify the specifications to allow the inclusion of an HVAC unit from SONGZ? Both cooling and heating capacity is 23kW (78479BTU), and there is a heat pump integrated in the unit.
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but Bidder may include the unit as long as it is equivalent and meets the temperature management requirements stated in Specifications. Include in the modification list in Exhibit B2. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 15. |
| Specification: The floor-mounted accelerator pedal shall be 9 to 12 in. long and 3 to 4 in. wide. |
Would DES modify Specifications to allow deviation from 3” to 2.7” width?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but the bidder may provide the floor-mounted accelerator pedal of 2.7” as long as the customer is informed and the customer agrees to the deviation. Bidder does not need to include this deviation in modifications Exhibit B2, as this is a minor deviation. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 16. |
| Specification: Both pedals shall be adjustable forward and rearward a minimum of 3 in. The option to deduct this will be made available. |
Would DES modify the specifications to allow deduction of this specification?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may provide an equivalent. Deduction from the standard bus price will be allowed, but the deduction must be communicated to the customer, and the customer must agree to the deduction in the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 17. |
| Specification: The driver’s side window shall be the sliding type, requiring only the rear half of the sash to latch upon closing, and shall open sufficiently to permit the seated operator to easily adjust the street-side outside rearview mirror. |
Would DES modify the specifications to allow a full slide window? If the sliding action only happens at the window rear area, it is impossible to adjust the SS rear-view mirror.
No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification and add it as an Additional Options line located at the bottom of the options tabs in Exhibit C2 - Price Sheet. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting.
No
| 18. |
| Specification: All windows shall be of 7/32" 28% gray tinted safety glass. |
Would DES modify Specifications to allow a 3/16'' tempered, 50% transmittance window?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification and add it as an Additional Options line located at the bottom of the options tabs in Exhibit C2 - Price Sheet. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
| 19. |
| Specification: Pressure-Preserved Plywood Panel. |
Would DES modify the specifications to allow Fiberglass composite panels?
| No, DES will maintain the requirement in Specifications, but bidder may add the deviation in Exhibit B2 as a modification and add it as an Additional Options line located at the bottom of the options tabs in Exhibit C2 - Price Sheet. This modification must be communicated to the customer at the pre-production meeting. |
| No |
(Rev5/8/2023)
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