Inmate Transport Buses

The County of Sacramento is soliciting bids for a contractor to furnish two new Type D inmate transport buses, each with a minimum 36,200-pound Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), rear-mounted diesel engines, and comprehensive security features. Each bus must accommodate 39 inmates, 2 deputies, and 1 driver, with secure partition systems and divided isolation cells built to specific dimensional and layout requirements outlined in the attached specifications and drawings. The buses must be equipped with standard inclusions such as tool kits, operator and safety manuals, layout books, keys, delivery, DMV documentation, and training. Key evaluation criteria include emissions reduction as the single most important evaluation factor, requiring all engines to meet or exceed current EPA tailpipe emissions standards with CARB certification achieving NOx levels at or below 0.2 g/bhp-hr and particulate matter at or below 0.01 g/bhp-hr. The County will also consider suitability, quality, service, previous experience, life cycle costs, and delivery ability. Bidders must submit questions by March 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with final bid responses due by March 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., electronically through the Sacramento County eBids portal. The County anticipates awarding the contract on April 16, 2026, with responses remaining valid for 120 calendar days following bid closure.

Bidders claiming local vendor preference (5%) or micro-business preference (2%) must meet specific eligibility criteria and submit appropriate certifications. All bids must include CARB certification for engines, a non-collusion affidavit, references from Sacramento area customers with similar inmate transport bus experience, and warranty and service vendor information for the Sacramento area. Optional line items are available for reduced emissions configurations, hybrid or alternative fuel options, shop and parts manual sets, diagnostic software, extended warranty coverage beyond the standard one-year manufacturer's warranty, and kneeling suspension upgrades. The resulting contract includes standard provisions such as F.O.B. Destination freight prepaid terms, payment due within thirty days of invoice submission, and vendor responsibility for minimum one-year parts and labor warranty with repair commencement within 72 hours of failure notification. Bidders are encouraged to propose hybrid and alternative fuel options with available grant or incentive monies to reduce final pricing. The unit price shall exclude sales and federal excise tax, with applicable taxes and California tire fees added to the purchase order, though no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents.