Bus Fare Cards for DDOT

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement, on behalf of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), is soliciting qualified suppliers to manufacture and deliver bus fare cards through Request for Quote (RFQ) 544654. The procurement encompasses six types of fare cards in various formats, including thermal transfer cards, polyester tickets with magnetic stripes, and proximity cards with MIFARE ultralight chips, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 1,000 units for 7-day reduced passes to 8,000,000 units for farebox transfer cards. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience providing the same or similar services, provide three current and three former client references, submit completed questionnaires addressing firm background and organizational capacity, and quote all items with all-inclusive pricing incorporating labor, materials, equipment, and supplies on a per-1,000-card basis in increments of 1,000 units. The City will award one three-year contract on a low total net bid basis, with renewal options subject to Detroit City Council approval and Chief Procurement Officer signature. Key deadlines include a question deadline of March 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST, a proposal due date of March 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST, and all submissions must be made through the Bonfire procurement portal. Respondents must comply with all required forms and affidavits, including notarized affidavits of disclosure of interests and non-collusion statements, and must provide organizational charts, resumes for key personnel, and documentation of capacity and staffing.

Detroit-based businesses are eligible to receive equalization credits of up to 5% depending on certification category, with the lowest equalized bidder receiving contract award provided the award does not exceed 12% above the lowest responsible bid or $100,000, whichever is less; eligible categories include Detroit Based Business, Detroit Resident Business, Detroit Headquartered, Detroit Based Small Business, Detroit Based Micro Business, and Joint Venture or Mentor Venture structures, with certification documentation required at bid submission from the Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity. Successful respondents must satisfy conditions of award requirements prior to City Council approval, including submission of notarized Consolidated Affidavits, Certificate of Insurance with workers' compensation at Michigan statutory minimums and automobile liability of $1,000,000, three years of financial statements, City of Detroit Treasury Clearance evidence (requiring minimum ten days processing), and System of Awards Management (SAM) registration for federally funded projects (requiring ten to fifteen days). The contractor must maintain responsibility for artwork proofs, reprinting of deficient passes, and ground shipping with tracking information, with standard payment terms of NET 30 days from invoice receipt. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days' written notice, and the City reserves the right to terminate for convenience at its sole discretion with 30 days' notice. While specific award values are not disclosed in the solicitation documents, pricing shall be based on estimated annual quantities and the three-year contract term with potential renewal options.