Engine Machining Services for Metros Bus Fleet Diesel Engines

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. Doc1681010928 for comprehensive engine machining services for their bus fleet diesel engines. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide specialized services including line boring, cylinder boring, crankshaft grinding, magnafluxing, cylinder honing, vatting heads and blocks, cylinder head rebuilding with valve jobs, and cylinder sleeving installation. These services will be performed on six specific Cummins engine models (ISB 6.7-2007, ISB 6.7-2010, ISL, ISX, ISL G, and ISC) with estimated annual service quantities ranging from 5 to 60 units per service type. Bids must be submitted electronically through METRO's EUNA (Bonfire) platform and as one hardcopy by 2:00 PM CST on September 17, 2025, with bid opening scheduled for 10:00 AM CST on September 18, 2025. A pre-bid briefing is set for August 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST via MS Teams. The contract will span three years from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2028, with service completion required within three days of approval according to Master Diesel Engine Builders and Machinists Industry Standards. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on the three-year total extended bid amount.

The procurement is 100% METRO funded with no specific small business participation goal established. The contractor must maintain a facility within a 25-mile radius of METRO's Kashmere Bus Operating Facility and is prohibited from outsourcing services to third parties. Contractors will be required to provide a current Workers' Compensation Insurance Certificate prior to contract award, with contract execution estimated for October 30, 2025, and work beginning November 3, 2025. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the bid documents indicate a rigorous qualification process focusing on technical capability and competitive pricing. The contractor will be responsible for receiving engine parts dropped off by METRO and must notify the Project Manager when components are ready for pickup. Although specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated in the documents, the bid pricing worksheet includes placeholders for detailed unit pricing across nine service categories, suggesting a comprehensive and potentially significant contract value based on the annual service quantities and three-year contract duration.