RFP 118-26 MVSS Bus Maintenance Contract

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is requesting proposals for comprehensive maintenance services for its Mobile Video Surveillance System deployed across buses, light rail, heavy rail, and ferry vehicles under RFP 118-26, with responses due October 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via COMMBUYS and a pre-bid conference held September 15, 2026.

The MBTA will evaluate proposals on a best-value basis combining technical merit and price, with supplier diversity accounting for 25 percent of overall technical scoring. Bidders must propose a specific financial commitment to certified Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Partners, including MBE, WBE, VBE, VOSB, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, DOBE, and SDVOBE designations. The MBTA will make one award and reserves the right to award to multiple bidders.

The scope encompasses corrective and preventative maintenance for cameras, Network Video Recorders, storage media, network components, monitors, cabling, power supplies, and all on-board MVSS components across nine bus maintenance facilities, five light rail facilities, three Red Line facilities, two Orange Line facilities, and six ferry terminals. The contractor must maintain 24/7 availability with a dedicated Project Manager, respond to overnight service calls (11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday–Friday), and meet defined response timeframes based on priority classifications. Performance-based chargebacks of $500 per vehicle per day apply for vehicles remaining out of service beyond 24 hours due to contractor fault, excluding MBTA-directed deferrals, vehicle unavailability, vandalism, and documented supply chain delays. The SR2753 fleet (160 vehicles) remains under third-party warranty through December 2027; the contractor supplies hardware only during this period with no labor or response obligations.

The contract term is three years with two optional one-year extensions. Compensation is time-and-materials with separate line items for routine maintenance, UPS replacement, equipment procurement, MBTA force account allowances, and contingency. Material costs are reimbursed at actual cost plus maximum 5 percent markup for MBTA pre-approved items only. Invoicing must reference ServiceNow ticket numbers; invoices without proper documentation will be rejected.

Bidders must provide proof of insurance meeting MBTA minimum requirements: Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence / $1 million annual aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), Workers' Compensation per Massachusetts law, and Umbrella Liability ($5 million per occurrence / annual aggregate). All carriers must hold Best's rating A- or better and be licensed by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Questions are due September 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with official answers published September 29, 2026.