New School Buses

Rockford Public School District No. 205 in Rock Island County, Illinois, is seeking to procure approximately ten (10) new 72-passenger school buses through Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 26-05. The procurement requires 2026 model year conventional school buses with specific technical specifications, including a Cummins ISB six-cylinder engine with a minimum of 240 HP and precise tire configurations. Bidders must provide detailed technical documentation and will be evaluated not only on price but also on adherence to specifications, ordering and delivery capabilities, service quality, contractor past performance, and references. The bid timeline includes distribution on July 23, 2025, with questions due by August 5, 2025, and a final addendum to be issued by August 7, 2025. The bid opening is scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM (CDST), with anticipated Board of Education approval on August 19, 2025, and a planned Notice of Award on August 20, 2025. Additionally, the district will accept trade-ins of ten existing buses, including 2015 and 2019 BlueBird and IC CE models.

The procurement includes several set-aside and diversity considerations, specifically requiring vendors to complete a Minority, Women, and Disabled-Owned Business Concern Representation form. Bidders must self-identify their business ownership status and meet specific ownership criteria, including being at least 51% owned and controlled by minority, women, or disabled-owned business groups. Vendors must also provide comprehensive compliance documentation, including OFAC compliance certification, debarment verification, conflict of interest disclosures, and certified cleared employee lists with completed background checks. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the procurement involves multiple buses and will require significant capital investment. Prospective bidders must demonstrate legal compliance, provide three references of similar completed contracts within the past three years, and adhere to various legal and regulatory requirements including equal opportunity standards, sexual harassment policies, and drug-free workplace commitments.