Battery Electric Bus Maintenance Training & Apprenticeship Program

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) in Toledo, Ohio is soliciting competitive proposals under RFP 2026-REQ-073 for a zero-emission workforce development, maintenance training, and apprenticeship framework for its battery electric bus (BEB) fleet, with questions due November 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Bidders must submit a Byrd Anti-Lobbying certification under 31 U.S.C. 1352 with bids exceeding $100,000 and a Declaration of Non-Collusion. The contract is governed by Federal Transit Administration regulations and Ohio law.

The scope covers discovery and skills-gap validation, technical curriculum aligned with ASE and APTA industry standards, role-based competency pathways, apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT) framework development, education and labor partnerships, train-the-trainer program design, hands-on exercises, diagnostic tool requirements, tracking and continuous improvement systems, and a sustainability plan. Minimum qualifications include demonstrated experience with zero-emission transit or BEB technical workforce training, knowledge of recognized ZEB/BEB occupational training standards and high-voltage safety practices, experience with apprenticeship and OJT/related supplemental instruction frameworks, the ability to design train-the-trainer programs, and at least three relevant project references. Intellectual property rights must permit TARTA to use, revise, reproduce, and deliver curriculum internally or through future training providers. Optional separately priced services include diagnostic software training, charging-system operations training, first-responder curriculum, additional technical modules, additional train-the-trainer cohorts, extended implementation coaching, and specialized equipment procurement.

Pricing must be organized by deliverable, with fixed fees preferred, plus training delivery costs per cohort or day, hourly rates for as-requested support, travel, itemized software, equipment, and third-party expenses, and recurring costs. All federal, state, and local taxes except TARTA's exempt taxes must be included. Responses to questions issue November 10, 2026, and proposals are due electronically through the OpenGov Procurement portal by November 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. TARTA's Finance Committee reviews on December 10, the Board considers a resolution on December 17, and award is announced December 18, 2026. Implementation extends through the end of 2027 or early 2028 to align with grant spend-down requirements. TARTA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, conduct cost or price analyses, and negotiate with single respondents.