Small Buses for LOTS and Mobility

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking proposals for the design, production, and delivery of small buses to be used by Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) and MTA's MobilityLink division throughout the state of Maryland. The contract opportunity is for the procurement of small transit buses, ranging from gasoline-powered to battery-electric models, with seating capacities from 4 to 16 passengers plus wheelchair positions. The RFP specifies detailed technical requirements, including vehicle dimensions, performance, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Bidders must provide pricing for a base vehicle as well as a list of optional equipment, and the contract will be awarded based on the lowest total base vehicle bid amount. The pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 18, 2024, with questions due by June 27, 2024, and proposals due by August 29, 2024. The contract term is for five (5) years, with an anticipated delivery timeline of 270 days for the initial order and 210 days for subsequent orders.

The RFP includes Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) requirements, but does not specify a DBE goal. The Federal Transit Administration's Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (TVM) requirements also apply to this procurement. The contract will utilize federal and state funding sources, but the exact budget amount is not provided. The RFP does not identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors, and there are no details regarding any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration.