Purchase of a New Ford Transit Passenger Van XL

Chatham County, Georgia is soliciting sealed bids for the purchase of one new Ford Transit Passenger Van XL (Transit Long 250, Medium Roof, 148-inch wheelbase) through Bid No. 26-0042-3. The solicitation was posted on March 31, 2026, with sealed bids due by 2:00 P.M. on April 14, 2026, to be submitted online through the Chatham County Purchasing Portal at https://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal. The vehicle must be new, never titled, and delivered as a turnkey project to Fleet Operations at 33 Minus Avenue, Garden City, Georgia 31408, with delivery costs included in the F.O.B. destination bid price. Specific vehicle requirements include a 3.5L PFDI V6 engine with rear-wheel drive, 10-speed automatic transmission, seating capacity for 15 passengers, Agate Black exterior paint, Dark Palazzo Gray vinyl interior, extended-range fuel tank, front and rear auxiliary A/C and heating systems, full rear compartment lighting, and a 4-inch multi-function display with AM/FM stereo. The vehicle must be delivered with a minimum half-tank fuel level, four sets of keys and fobs, complete manufacturer documentation including certification of origin and warranty information, and the delivery timeframe in days following purchase order award must be specified in the bid. Bids will be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder meeting all specifications, and bid prices must remain firm for sixty days from the bid opening date. Only authorized Ford vehicle dealerships are eligible to bid; brokers and resellers are ineligible. Award criteria include compliance with all technical specifications, demonstrated by manufacturer cut sheets, insurance requirements (commercial general liability with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation with minimum $500,000, and business automobile liability with combined single limit of $1,000,000), and possession of a current Chatham County Tax Certificate with all real and personal property taxes paid current.

Chatham County has established a combined Minority/Woman Business Enterprise (M/WBE) participation goal of 30% for this procurement, and all bidders must demonstrate good faith efforts to solicit and utilize certified MBE/WBE firms in accordance with county compliance requirements. Bidders must be drug-free workplaces certified, authorized to work in the United States through E-Verify, non-debarred, and compliant with all Georgia Code labor and anti-discrimination provisions; failure to complete and submit all required notarized certifications and affidavits (Attachments A through I) will result in bid disqualification. All bidders must provide project references demonstrating relevant experience; for projects valued at $499,000 or less, at least three references from project owners of various sizes are required, with preference given to government entities, and if the contractor has performed work for Chatham County within the preceding five years, at least one reference must be from Chatham County Government. No incumbent vendor or existing contractor is identified for this one-time purchase contract with no renewal options. The exact budget or award value is not specified in the solicitation documents; however, the bid price will be determined by the lowest responsive bidder meeting all specifications and contract requirements. Payment to the successful contractor will be made within thirty days of invoice receipt and approval by the County, contingent upon satisfactory delivery of the vehicle and all required documentation.