Mass Transportation - Transit Bus 12+2 Small Cutaway

The Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Division of Purchases are requesting bids on six small cutaway accessible transit buses (12+2 configuration — twelve ambulatory passengers and two wheelchairs) with an option to purchase up to 12 additional units over two years under RFQ 17D 12050800000000000969, with specifications due June 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. and pricing due electronically by the same deadline. Requests for approved equals or specification protests were due May 22, 2012. This procurement is contingent on U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration approval and subject to Buy America requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

The vehicles will be distributed to the City of Bath, Washington Hancock Community Agency, and Western Maine Transportation Services. Bidders must demonstrate ISO 9001:2000 certification for the bus body manufacturer, "FULLY MEETS" Transit Bus Quality Program compliance status, and Altoona testing certification for a minimum 5-year, 150,000-mile vehicle. Comprehensive technical specifications cover chassis, engine, transmission, electrical systems, body construction, doors, windows, HVAC, lighting, seating, wheelchair securement, and lift mechanisms. The bus body must carry a five-year or 75,000-mile warranty and corrosion warranty for the vehicle's useful life. Awardees must provide warranty and maintenance service within geographic service areas, with wheelchair lift maintenance arranged through a certified distributor within 50 miles.

Bid pricing must remain firm for two years and include all training costs for maintenance and operation personnel, pre-delivery inspections by state representatives at the manufacturer's facility, and a pre-manufacturing meeting in Maine. Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder offering best overall value, with consideration given to commodity quality, specification conformity, delivery date, and cost. In case of tie bids, preference is given to in-state bidders or those offering commodities produced or manufactured in Maine. Payment terms are net 30 days following vehicle acceptance, with late delivery penalties of $100 per day. The state is exempt from federal, state, and local taxes; proposal prices must exclude taxes.

Multiple vendors submitted approved-equals requests during the Q&A cycle (Startrans, Northern Bus, Dattco with Glaval and Champion variants, and Shepard Bros.), with specified approvals, denials, and clarifications on component and material alternatives documented by the department through June 25, 2012.