Fire Bureau Equipment Financing Services

The City of Pittsburgh, on behalf of the Equipment Leasing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (ELA), is requesting proposals for Fire Bureau Equipment Financing Services to support acquisition of fire apparatus, emergency response vehicles, specialty equipment, and related capital assets through tax-exempt municipal financing, with proposals due July 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and questions due July 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

All respondents must demonstrate good faith efforts to obtain participation from Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (18 percent goal), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (7 percent goal), and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (5 percent goal).

The scope covers flexible financing solutions accommodating extended manufacturing lead times, phased equipment deliveries, and evolving capital priorities. The financing arrangement shall not exceed $18 million in total principal amount, with lease terms not exceeding five years. The ELA requests multiple financing options: five-year payment with zero down payment and four-year payment with a $4 million down payment. Respondents must provide fixed interest rate proposals for financing amounts of $5 million, $10 million, $15 million, $20 million, and $30 million over five, seven, and ten-year terms. The City will own equipment at lease end, retain prepayment and payoff rights without penalty, may auction unusable equipment with vendor permission, and shall have lease funds available within five business days of request. Equipment shall be insured through the City's self-insured policy with annual or more frequent payments required. No lending issuance costs shall be charged to the City.

Evaluation criteria carry 15 points for firm qualifications and experience, 15 points for team qualifications, 30 points for project approach and plan, 30 points for cost proposal, and 10 points for MWDBE/VOSB good faith effort. Respondents must carry general liability insurance of $500,000 per occurrence/$1 million aggregate, workers' compensation at statutory limits, and professional liability of $1 million. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's e-Procurement Portal at https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/pittsburghpa. Award is anticipated for July 26, 2026.