Motor Vehicle Fuel (City of Tucson, Sun Tran, Pima County)

The City of Tucson, Sun Tran, Sun Van, and Pima County are seeking qualified suppliers for an annual requirements contract for motor vehicle fuel through Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 230087. The procurement covers six distinct fuel groups: Unleaded Gasoline, Ethanol Flex Fuel (E54), Diesel, Biodiesel, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and Wet Hose Fueling, with an estimated annual purchase of 9,000,000 gallons. Offerors must demonstrate sufficient capabilities to deliver fuel to multiple locations with various storage containers, including underground and aboveground storage tanks, at both automated and wet fueling sites. Key qualifications include prompt delivery within 24 hours, compliance with specific product specifications, and ability to meet each agency's operational needs. The RFP was released on July 28, 2023, with a pre-proposal meeting held on August 9, 2023, and proposals are due on September 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM local Arizona time. Pricing will be determined using the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) Index, with prices calculated based on the daily average rack price plus or minus a fixed margin. The City reserves the right to award to multiple contractors and may select by group, individual location, or any combination most advantageous to the agencies.

The solicitation includes several federal and local requirements that may impact potential offerors, particularly Section 3 provisions focusing on local economic development. Contractors must comply with HUD regulations, including guidelines for hiring low- and very low-income persons, with specific requirements such as ensuring 25% of labor hours are performed by Section 3 Workers and 5% by Targeted Section 3 Workers. The contract also incorporates Federal Transit Administration (FTA) terms and conditions, which include extensive compliance standards covering civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and Buy America provisions. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation is encouraged, with specific guidelines for small and minority firm involvement. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the contract allows for an initial one-year term with options for four additional one-year renewals. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the agencies anticipate purchasing approximately 9,000,000 gallons of fuel during the initial contract term, suggesting a significant potential contract value. The procurement emphasizes the agencies' need for reliable, cost-effective fuel supply to maintain uninterrupted public services.