Sole Source - EV-400 High-Voltage Safety Trainer

The School District of Manatee County is pursuing a sole source procurement for the EV-400 High-Voltage Safety Trainer from ConsuLab Educatech, Inc., a specialized training equipment designed as a fully functional battery electric vehicle (BEV) in a compact classroom-sized package. This procurement is specifically intended to provide an intuitive, hands-on experience for high-voltage testing and electric vehicle safety training. The acquisition is being processed under Florida Statute 287.057(3), with a mandatory 15 business day posting period to allow for potential protests or challenges to the sole source designation. The procurement document was initially posted on December 10, 2025, with the stated due date of January 5, 2026. The EV-400 trainer will enable educational institutions to develop workforce competencies in emerging electric vehicle technology and ensure proper safety protocols for personnel working with high-voltage systems. The procurement is being conducted in compliance with Florida School Board Administrative Rules 6A-1.012 and Manatee County's purchasing regulations, with a clear emphasis on obtaining a specialized training solution that meets specific technical requirements for electric vehicle safety education.

The sole source procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations, with ConsuLab Educatech, Inc. being the sole identified vendor for this specialized training equipment. No incumbent vendors or alternative contractors are mentioned in the documentation. While the procurement documents do not explicitly state a specific budget range or award value, the procurement is focused on acquiring a single EV-400 High-Voltage Safety Trainer for educational purposes. The procurement process allows for potential protests under Florida Statute 120.57(3), with a clear stipulation that failure to file a protest within the prescribed timeframe or failure to post required bond or security will constitute a waiver of proceedings. The document suggests this is a targeted procurement aimed at enhancing electric vehicle safety training capabilities within the Manatee County School District, with no indication of multiple unit purchases or broader competitive bidding. The sole source certification implies that this specific trainer possesses unique technical capabilities that make it the only suitable solution for the intended training application.