DSU + is requesting quotes for lease of vehicles & option to purchase

Dickinson State University (DSU) is soliciting bids for a bus lease-purchase agreement to acquire up to three 28-passenger buses for student athlete transportation. The procurement is structured as an Invitation to Bid (ITB) with a three-year initial lease term and an optional two-year extension, with the potential to purchase the buses for $1 at the conclusion of the lease period. The buses must meet specific technical requirements, including a V6 or V8 gasoline engine, automatic transmission, comprehensive safety features, and specific interior and exterior specifications. One of the three buses is required to have a wheelchair lift with two wheelchair positions. Bidders must submit electronic proposals by July 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM Mountain Time, with submissions directed to a specified email address using precise subject line formatting. The evaluation criteria will encompass price, ability to meet detailed specifications, and vendor past performance. Each bidder is mandated to provide three professional references and complete a bid response sheet detailing proposed monthly lease amounts for each vehicle.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the procurement documents. The solicitation appears open to qualified vehicle leasing and transportation providers capable of meeting the comprehensive technical specifications. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the procurement suggests DSU requires reliable transportation solutions to support its extensive athletic travel schedule across multiple sports and interstate destinations. The budget range is not precisely defined, but will be determined by the monthly lease rates proposed by bidders for the three 28-passenger buses. The total procurement value will depend on the lease terms, which include the potential three-year initial lease period and optional two-year extension, with a nominal $1 purchase option at the lease's conclusion. Interested vendors should carefully review the detailed specifications and submission requirements to ensure compliance and competitive positioning for this university transportation contract.