Passenger Van

The Barrington Public School Department (BPS) in Bristol County, Rhode Island, is soliciting proposals for the procurement of a passenger van through Bid #25004, specifically seeking a vehicle capable of transporting up to 12 students and adults. The request for quotation (RFQ) indicates a strong preference for either a Ford Transit-350 Long Wheelbase High Roof Wagon with a 3.5L V6 engine or a Ram ProMaster-2500 Long Wheelbase High Roof Wagon with a 3.6L V6 engine. Key specifications include a fixed floor configuration with permanently affixed seats, standard 3-point seat belts, white exterior body color, driver and passenger steps, and factory window tint. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Rhode Island Purchasing Group/Barrington or via sealed envelope by November 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The School Committee will award the contract to the lowest competent proposer meeting all specifications, with the explicit right to reject any or all proposals. The RFQ also encourages alternate bids for electric or hybrid vehicles that match the outlined requirements.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must provide three professional references and maintain $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability insurance, with the Town of Barrington and Barrington Public Schools listed as additional insureds. The bid price must be exclusive of taxes, as the Barrington Public Schools are tax-exempt. While a specific budget range is not detailed in the documentation, the procurement appears to be for a single passenger van to support the school district's transportation needs. The RFQ suggests flexibility in vendor selection, prioritizing competence, specification alignment, and competitive pricing. Potential bidders should carefully review the complete RFQ documentation to ensure full compliance with all technical specifications and submission requirements.