School Bus Bodies & Chassis

The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) is soliciting proposals for school bus bodies and chassis through Request for Proposal (RFP) SB-2026, seeking to procure two specific Type C school bus configurations: a seventy-two (72) passenger bus and a fifty-four (54) passenger bus, both with factory-installed air conditioning. The procurement requires buses that meet current Georgia State School Bus Specifications and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), with detailed technical specifications including a minimum 220 HP turbo-charged diesel engine, specific tire and axle requirements, LED lighting, accessibility features, and wheelchair accommodations. Proposers must provide comprehensive pricing for complete bus units, including delivery and freight, and are required to offer training for vehicle technicians and maintenance staff. The evaluation criteria will be point-based, with 40 points allocated to customer service, 35 points for price and warranty, and 25 points for references. Key dates include a deadline for questions on October 23, 2025, through the CCSD Euna Procurement Message Center, with final proposals due by 9:00 a.m. on October 30, 2025, submitted electronically via the district's procurement portal. The contract term is set for twelve months, from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, with potential extension if requested 120 days before expiration.

The RFP includes several compliance and certification requirements that may restrict or guide potential respondents. Vendors must complete immigration compliance documentation, including registration with the federal work authorization program and submission of various affidavits verifying employee work status. Proposers must provide proof of comprehensive insurance, including $2,000,000 in general and automobile liability coverage, worker's compensation, and a $3,000,000 Data Breach Insurance policy with providers holding a minimum Best's Rating of "A-" and financial size category of Class "VIII". Non-collusion certification and debarment verification are mandatory, with bidders required to certify they are not suspended or ineligible from contract awards by federal, state, or local agencies. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the district emphasizes a preference for local products when all other factors are equal. Proposers must submit five business references, detailed warranty information, and demonstrate local service and repair capabilities. Although a specific award value is not disclosed, the procurement suggests the potential for multiple awards to different proposers, allowing flexibility in bus body and chassis procurement for the district's transportation needs.