Public Notice to Participate - Sourcewell

The Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is pursuing a procurement for battery electric bus chargers and associated software through a piggyback agreement utilizing the Sourcewell Contract #042221 with ChargePoint and their authorized reseller Puget Sound Solar. The procurement specifically targets power blocks, modules, dispensers, and operating software compatible with SAMTD's existing Gillig electric bus fleet. This federal-funded procurement will be posted on Oregon's e-procurement system OregonBuys for a 21-day public notice period, during which potential vendors can review and submit protests if necessary. The agency is leveraging provisions under the FAST Act 3019(b), which allows agencies to use non-profit cooperative contracts for acquiring rolling stock and related equipment. SAMTD selected this procurement method to mitigate potential high internal costs of conducting a separate RFP, address the limited vendor pool, and ensure charger compatibility with their current electric bus infrastructure and monitoring software. All potential vendors must register on OregonBuys, and any protests must be submitted via mail to SAMTD's Contracts/Procurement Department with specific documentation requirements. The public notice period runs from July 1, 2025, to July 21, 2025.

The procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The contract will utilize ChargePoint as the primary vendor, with Puget Sound Solar serving as the authorized reseller. While a specific award value is not disclosed, the procurement is focused on electric bus charging infrastructure, which typically represents a significant capital investment for transit agencies. The procurement method suggests SAMTD is seeking a streamlined, cost-effective solution that minimizes administrative overhead while meeting specific technical requirements for their electric bus fleet. The agency's approach indicates a preference for vendor solutions that can directly integrate with their existing Gillig electric buses and provide comprehensive charging and monitoring capabilities. By utilizing the Sourcewell cooperative contract, SAMTD can potentially achieve more favorable pricing and reduce the complexity of a traditional competitive bidding process.