Purchase and Delivery of Transmissions for METRO's Transit Buses

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. Doc1657933923 for the purchase and delivery of transmissions specifically for METRO's transit buses. The procurement is a brand-specific solicitation focusing exclusively on remanufactured transmission equipment from Allison Transmission and ZF Transmission, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 2 to 10 units per transmission type. Bidders must submit responses electronically through METRO's Bonfire hub and provide one hardcopy by August 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, with a public bid opening scheduled for 10:00 a.m. CST on August 28, 2025. The contract term is set for three years, with potential extension until the not-to-exceed amount is expended. Only transmissions with specific manufacturer part numbers will be accepted, and alternative or equivalent products will result in immediate bid rejection. Pricing will be established as firm fixed unit prices, with METRO reserving the right to award multiple contracts if deemed in its best interest.

The solicitation indicates 100% METRO funding with no specific small business goal, and contractors must comply with various certifications including firearm entity non-discrimination, Israel boycott prohibition, and energy company boycott prohibition. Transmissions must be delivered to METRO's Kashmere Facility in Houston, Texas, with METRO reserving the right to return unused parts within 14 calendar days for full credit. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, bidders must demonstrate compliance with multiple regulatory requirements. The procurement covers eight different transmission models, including specific Allison Transmission models like XFEB34000R, B500-GEN 5, B500, and B3400XFE. Although precise contract value is not explicitly stated, the multi-year contract and estimated annual quantities suggest a potentially significant procurement opportunity for qualified transmission suppliers. Vendors must be prepared to provide detailed documentation, meet strict manufacturer specifications, and offer competitive pricing across the three-year contract period.