26-008 ITB ford T350 vans

The Houston County School District in Georgia issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) 26-008 for the procurement of two new 2026 Ford T350 vans with factory standard features and optional upgrades including paint color, power heated mirrors, backup alarms, rear and passenger door glass, daytime running lights, cruise control, keys, spray-in bed liner, trailer towing equipment with brake controller, and an AM/FM/SYNC 3 system with 12-inch screen and ladder rack. The district required vendors to submit written questions by July 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, with sealed bids due on August 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST to the Purchasing Department at 200 Jerry Barker Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088. Bids could be submitted by mail, hand delivery, or drop box and required completion of three attachments: a certification letter, a certificate regarding debarment and suspension, and a non-collusion affidavit. Pricing was to include all costs for purchasing, packing, services, and transportation delivered FOB Destination, with vendors required to specify a six-month price guarantee period. Award was anticipated within sixty days of the bid opening date contingent upon available funds and necessary approvals, with the next Board meeting scheduled for August 12, 2025. The district reserved the right to reject any or all bids, waive formalities and technicalities, award to the most responsive and responsible vendor, and break ties via coin toss if multiple vendors quoted identical lowest prices, with additional credit card payment fees potentially considered as part of the award criteria.

The ITB did not indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organization types. Phil Brannen Ford of Perry was awarded the contract at a unit price of $52,469.00, totaling $104,938.00 for the two Ford T350 vans, with the award based on the district's established preference for Ford vehicles to meet standardization requirements. An alternate bid was submitted by Buster Miles Chevrolet for 2025 Chevrolet Express Extended vehicles at $48,970.00 per unit totaling $97,940.00, but this alternate was not selected due to the district's Ford-only standardization policy. The documents did not reference incumbent vendors, existing infrastructure, or technology integration requirements beyond the specified vehicle features and delivery specifications.