Inmate Transport Buses, ADA Compliant Inmate Transport Buses, and Replacement Parts and Equipment

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is seeking to procure inmate transport buses through an Invitation to Bid (ITB-26-048), specifically targeting standard and ADA-compliant inmate transport buses along with associated replacement parts and equipment. The procurement will serve correctional facilities across Florida's four regions, with an estimated annual requirement of two standard buses and one ADA-compliant bus. Comprehensive bus specifications include detailed requirements for chassis, body construction, electrical systems, safety features, and wheelchair accessibility, with warranty coverage extending up to 10 years or unlimited mileage. The evaluation methodology will assign price points based on unit prices for buses and percentage discounts for replacement parts, with a preference for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts meeting strict specifications. Key procurement dates include a vendor question deadline of November 6, 2025, with department responses anticipated by November 20, 2025, and final bid submissions due December 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the FDC Central Office in Tallahassee. The resulting contract will be awarded for up to five years with a potential five-year renewal option, with the agency decision expected on December 29, 2025.

Vendors must comply with extensive security requirements, including E-Verify employment verification and attestations regarding foreign countries of concern. The solicitation includes provisions for Florida-based vendor price preferences when the lowest responsive bid comes from an out-of-state vendor whose state offers no reciprocal preference. Bidders must provide certifications addressing forced labor practices, labor coercion, and specific boycott restrictions. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears open to qualified vendors meeting comprehensive technical and compliance requirements. Pricing must be firm and inclusive of all associated costs, including packaging, handling, shipping, delivery, environmental, and fuel service fees. No minimum order requirements are specified, and the FDC retains the right to modify contract items and service locations post-execution. Although a specific budget range is not detailed, the procurement suggests a significant investment in correctional transportation infrastructure with potential multi-year contract value.