Handicapped Vans

The State of South Dakota, specifically involving Harding County, is seeking to procure handicapped vans for delivery to Pierre, South Dakota. The procurement includes two distinct vehicle specifications: a minivan with rear handicap accessibility and a full-size transit vehicle with curbside handicap accessibility. Both vehicles must be current model year, ADA compliant, and capable of transporting four ambulatory adults with one passenger in a secured mobility aid. The minivan requires a minimum 33-inch manual fold-up ramp, while the full-size transit vehicle needs a 1,000 lb, 34-inch capable lift. Technical requirements include specific interior configurations, wheelchair tie-down systems, commercial flooring, and compliance with all federal and state motor vehicle safety standards. The solicitation was posted on May 28, 2024, with proposals due by June 11, 2024. Vendors with questions are directed to contact Scott Nelson, the Purchasing Specialist, at Scott.Nelson@state.sd.us.

State law SDCL-5-18D-25 mandates that motor vehicles must be purchased from authorized dealers licensed in South Dakota, which significantly restricts vendor eligibility. The procurement allows two pathways for compliance: either the vendor must be a South Dakota-licensed dealer or the winning bidder must procure the chassis from a South Dakota dealer. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, the procurement involves specialized handicap-accessible vehicles requiring substantial modifications. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the documentation. The Vendor Manual provided suggests that standard state procurement protocols will govern the bidding and award process, including potential preferences for resident businesses. Interested vendors must carefully review the detailed specifications in the attached files, which outline precise technical requirements for vehicle configuration, accessibility features, and performance standards.