BOD Hybrid Bus Repairs and Maintenance Services

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 269-2026-2050) for hybrid bus repair and maintenance services to support its fleet of approximately 108 hybrid buses currently in operation. The City of Charlotte, located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, seeks qualified contractors capable of servicing up to eight buses simultaneously to provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services including inspection, diagnostics, troubleshooting, component repair or replacement, and system testing for both Allison H40/50 EP and Allison eGen Flex hybrid units. Contractors must be located within a 25-mile radius of Charlotte, North Carolina, or demonstrate the ability to transport buses to and from their facility. Required qualifications include OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Hybrid Certification with specific Allison H40/50 EP and Allison eGen Flex certifications in maintenance and overhaul of drive units, power inverter modules, and energy storage systems, compliance with Allison Technical Specifications, and adherence to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The scope of work encompasses all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, materials, transportation, and technical expertise necessary to perform services at two designated locations: 3145 South Tryon Street and 900 North Davidson Street in Charlotte. Proposals are due by June 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. through the Bonfire e-Procurement Portal, with questions due by May 27, 2026; the evaluation period is scheduled for June 3-15, 2026, with contract award anticipated in September 2026 and service commencement thereafter. The contract will be awarded based on eight evaluation criteria: technical expertise, service quality, turnaround time, cost effectiveness and value, customer service, sustainability and compliance, reliability and reputation, and acceptance of contract terms.

The City of Charlotte does not specify set-asides or restrictions on bidder eligibility but encourages participation from minority-owned, women-owned, and small business enterprises through the Charlotte Business INClusion Program and requires documentation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program utilization commitments. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage including automobile liability of at least $1,000,000, commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000, workers' compensation meeting North Carolina statutory requirements, and errors and omissions insurance of at least $3,000,000. The contract incorporates Federal Contracting Terms and Federal Transit Administration Contracting Terms as priority provisions, and all work must conform to environmental purchasing standards including recycled content, recyclability, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and low volatile organic compounds. The pricing structure requires fixed prices per item or service rate on an all-inclusive basis covering all labor categories (standard, after-hours, weekend, and holiday labor), with labor rates to be submitted for evaluation, plus a percentage discount off manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for parts. The initial contract term is three years, with the City holding options to renew for two additional consecutive one-year terms; the RFP does not specify a maximum contract value, indicating the award will be made to the company deemed to offer the best overall value, with the City reserving the right to award all, none, or any portion of the services to one or more companies.