CATS Bus Operations Wheelchair Lift parts

The City of Charlotte Department of General Services seeks a supplier through an Invitation to Bid (ITB 269-2026-2045) to provide wheelchair lift parts and related services for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Bus Operations Division, which operates 304 buses, 83 paratransit vehicles, and 42 rail cars. The procurement requires suppliers to deliver approximately 400 distinct wheelchair lift components across multiple bus manufacturers including Gillig, MCI, LOFL, Arboc, Ricon, and Suburban models, with all products delivered within 48 hours of order placement on a FOB Destination basis, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The successful bidder must provide a full-time Account Executive dedicated to City service with cell phone availability and two-business-day response time for all inquiries, deliver only new products that comply with latest industry standards and North Carolina law, and provide manufacturer's written warranties covering defects in materials, workmanship, and performance for a minimum of one year, with the vendor responsible for all shipping and crating costs associated with warranty repairs. Pricing must be submitted as fixed unit prices per item with all shipping, delivery, discounts, and associated costs included, with a $25 service fee assessed per item for each incorrectly priced invoice line; invoices must be submitted weekly or monthly and are due within thirty days of receipt. The written questions deadline is April 9, 2026, with bid submissions due April 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via the Bonfire e-Procurement Portal, followed by bid opening via Microsoft Teams on April 30, 2026. The contract is an indefinite quantity unit price contract with an initial three-year term from September 1, 2026 (pending City Council approval), with the City holding the option to extend for up to two additional one-year extensions unless the bidder objects in writing at least ninety days prior to each extension. Award will be based on the lowest responsive responsible bidder, considering vendor qualifications, experience, quality, delivery, workmanship, and environmentally preferable attributes, with the City reserving the right to make multiple awards or award by item, combination of items, or grand total as deemed in the City's best interest.

The procurement is partially funded by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants and subjects the successful vendor to comprehensive federal compliance requirements including Buy America provisions, civil rights regulations, and record retention requirements through three years following contract termination. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) utilization is required, with only NCDOT-certified DBEs eligible to meet contract goals; DBE supplier utilization counts 60% toward goals but requires 100% utilization to receive credit. Bidders must certify non-discrimination in subcontractor selection, comply with steel and iron procurement requirements under 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(1), and disclose any discrimination complaints filed against the company within the past ten years. All vendors must comply with E-Verify requirements and participate in the City's Charlotte Business Inclusion Program with specified minority and women business enterprise utilization commitments. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specific budget ranges are identified in the solicitation documents. Bids remain valid for one hundred twenty calendar days from the bid opening date, and vendors should submit all proposals through the Bonfire procurement portal at https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com, allowing at least one week before the deadline to account for upload times and system processing.