GHTD RFP #01-027 Joint Procurement Paratransit Vehicles

The Greater Hartford Transit District (GHTD), Hartford, Connecticut, is soliciting proposals for the purchase and delivery of fully accessible paratransit vehicles for itself and participating agencies, with a non-mandatory pre-proposal conference on November 5, 2026 and proposals due December 22, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. local time. GHTD leads this joint procurement on behalf of itself and ten participating agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Transportation and nine regional transit districts. No set-aside applies. The solicitation sets no DBE participation goal, but contractors must certify DBE status and demonstrate good faith efforts if unable to meet goals, and Transit Vehicle Manufacturers must submit an FTA-approved or non-disapproved annual DBE subcontracting participation goal certification.

The solicitation covers seven vehicle types: Types A, B, and C body-on-chassis vehicles with varying wheelbases; Ford Transit "Type" vans and body-on-chassis vehicles (Types D and E); low floor wheelchair accessible buses (Type F); and ADA lowered floor minivans with side entry ramps (Type G). Combined maximum quantities total 1,006 vehicles, with individual agency allocations ranging from 4 to 410. No minimum quantities are guaranteed, and GHTD reserves the right to award to multiple contractors. Vehicles are funded through Connecticut Department of Transportation state grants and Federal Transit Administration grants. Submissions require Buy America pre-award and post-delivery audits, Connecticut business licenses, and comprehensive insurance including $5 million commercial general liability per occurrence.

The term is a two-year base period plus three optional one-year extensions, for a potential five-year total. Pricing is firm and fixed for 365 days from award, after which annual adjustments may apply based on the Producer Price Index for SIC Industry Group 371, capped at 5 percent. Payment is 80 percent of vehicle price within 30 days of acceptance and receipt following FTA Post-Delivery Audit compliance, with the remaining 20 percent due within 60 days of acceptance. Delivery terms are Free on Board (FOB) Destination. Contract award is anticipated in February 2027.

Inquiries are due November 20, 2026, and approved equal requests are due December 7, 2026. Questions go to LaShaunda Drake at One Union Place, Hartford, Connecticut 06103, 860-380-2012, or ldrake@ghtd.org.