Purchase and Delivery of Thirty-Five (35) CNG 40’ Transit Buses

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) in Houston, Texas is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the purchase and delivery of thirty-five (35) CNG 40-foot low-floor transit buses, with an option for an additional thirty (30) buses in a subsequent year. Sealed bids must be submitted electronically through METRO's EUNA (BONFIRE) platform and as one hardcopy to the Procurement Office at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002 by 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with a public bid opening scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. A mandatory pre-bid briefing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, via Microsoft Teams. Deliverables must be completed within twelve months of contract execution, with no more than twelve vehicles delivered per week. Bidders are required to provide comprehensive technical specifications and mandatory submissions across forty-eight distinct categories covering bus design, construction, safety, performance, accessibility, emission compliance, and operational capabilities. Required qualifications include demonstration of compliance with federal safety standards including crashworthiness, fire suppression, and video surveillance systems, as well as wheelchair accessibility requirements and securement systems. Contractors must also establish and maintain a factory-authorized service center in Houston with personnel available twenty-four hours, seven days per week throughout the warranty period. The evaluation criteria emphasize structural engineering certifications, material samples, detailed drawings, warranty documentation, and maintenance schedules to ensure long-term fleet sustainability.

This solicitation carries no small business subcontracting goals and includes no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract is funded entirely by federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), making all federal requirements applicable, including Buy America provisions, Cargo Preference, Debarment Certification, Bus Testing per 49 CFR Part 665, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). A bid guarantee of not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid amount and a performance bond of five percent (5%) of the contract amount are required from all bidders. Liquidated damages will be assessed at $1,700.00 per day plus $172.81 per day per bus for delivery delays, with a maximum cap of $1,000,000. The contract is anticipated to be executed by June 15, 2026, subject to METRO Board approval. While specific budget or award values are not explicitly stated in the available documentation, the substantial scope of this procurement for thirty-five CNG transit buses, coupled with the federal funding mechanism and comprehensive warranty and service requirements, indicates a significant capital investment typical of major metropolitan transit fleet acquisitions.