School Buses

The Delaware Department of Education has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for DOE26001 to procure school buses for multiple school districts across the state, including Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Capital, Christina, Colonial, Indian River, Red Clay, Seaford, and the Department of Education itself. The procurement seeks 70 potential bus units with varied specifications, including 2026 model year buses in passenger capacities ranging from 48 to 84 passengers, with fuel options of diesel, propane, and gasoline. Specific bus configurations include regular education, special education, and early childhood transportation models, some equipped with air conditioning, lifts, and integrated seating. A mandatory pre-bid virtual meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2025, with final bids due by September 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The contract period will span one year from October 2025 through October 2026, with potential extensions. Vendors must meet Delaware Title 14 Standards for School Buses and provide detailed chassis and body configuration specifications. Award criteria will focus on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder who best meets the bid's terms and conditions.

The solicitation allows for multiple awards and provides flexibility for districts to purchase buses with specific configurations. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned in the documents. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability, automotive liability, and workers' compensation coverage. While specific pricing is not finalized in the attached spreadsheet, the procurement strategy suggests a comprehensive approach allowing districts to select bus configurations tailored to their transportation needs. Some units, particularly those listed under Department of Education units (#50-#70), are contingent on funding availability. The Department of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids, make partial awards, and adjust quantities as needed. The procurement appears designed to leverage potential economies of scale through a collective purchasing approach while maintaining individual district flexibility in bus selection.