ISD SP LHF Bus 66 passenger 15 Month Lease

The Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) is soliciting bids for the lease of one 66-passenger school bus equipped with a wheelchair lift for a 15-month term running from July 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The procurement is posted by the State of Illinois with a proposal due date of February 13, 2026. The bus must be either a Thomas Safe-T-Liner conventional bus on a 279-inch wheelbase or a Blue Bird RE Conventional Bus on a 273-inch wheelbase, or equivalent model meeting all specified requirements. The vendor must provide comprehensive bus specifications including an air ride driver seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 5 or 6-speed automatic Allison 2500 Series transmission, air suspension, power steering, air disc brakes, 100-gallon fuel tank, three integrated camera systems with docking station and software, strobe light, emergency roof hatch, heavy-duty crossing arm with wind deflectors, "no child left behind" system, and exterior painted in standard yellow with white roof. The bus will be utilized to transport ISD students throughout the school year for scheduled home visits and school-related events, with the vendor responsible for supplying tags and licenses. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 general commercial liability per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and worker's compensation as required by law, with the State named as additionally insured.

The contract includes compliance with Illinois prevailing wage requirements where applicable and is subject to the State Prompt Payment Act. All vendors must comply with 34 enumerated certification requirements established by the State of Illinois Chief Procurement Office, including educational loan defaults, debarment status, state debt delinquency, tax compliance, drug-free workplace requirements, and equal employment opportunity obligations. For contracts exceeding one year in duration, vendors must provide annual recertification by January 1 of each fiscal year after the initial fiscal year. The State reserves the right to terminate the contract for convenience with 30 days' written notice without penalty, and the contract is contingent upon appropriation of funds by the Illinois General Assembly. The contract documentation references a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) utilization component, suggesting that disadvantaged enterprise participation may be required or evaluated. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the procurement documents, and no incumbent vendor information is provided for this lease opportunity.