Transit Bus Battery Maintenance (FTA)

Broward County Transit Division is soliciting bids on an open-end contract for servicing transit bus batteries across a fleet of 415 buses, with proposals due September 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (revised by Addendum No. 2). This is an FTA-funded procurement with mandatory federal compliance requirements including Government-Wide Debarment Certification, Buy America Certification, lobbying restrictions, and drug and alcohol testing program certification. Office of Economic and Small Business Development requirements do not apply to this solicitation.

The scope covers bi-weekly pickup and delivery of batteries at two maintenance facilities (Copans Maintenance Facility in Pompano Beach and Ravenswood Maintenance Facility in Dania Beach), with service including initial charging per manufacturer specifications, Midtronic tester or equivalent testing, cleaning, and return within four business days. The vendor must service four battery group classifications (8D Side Post, 8D Top Post 908D, 31 Top Post AGM31, and 31S Top Post 113MF), with estimated approximately 50 battery pickups bi-weekly from each facility. Pricing is a flat-rate per-battery labor, materials, and servicing fee regardless of battery group or type, with pickup and delivery included and no separate charges permitted. Batteries returned as "Good" carry a minimum 30-day non-prorated warranty. The vendor must complete manifest documentation at both pickup and return locations.

The contract is open-end/indefinite quantity with no guaranteed minimum. The initial term runs one year from award, with the County holding options to renew for four additional one-year periods (up to five years total unless extended by Board action). All prices remain firm during the initial and any renewal periods. Vendors seeking price increases must submit written requests at least 90 days prior to renewal and substantiate increases by Consumer Price Index or Producer Price Index; price decreases must be implemented upon 30-day notice or face contract termination for cause.

The incumbent vendor is Battery Express at $125 per service event ($260,000 total for 2,080 maintenance occurrences). Insurance requirements include General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $500,000 combined single limit, Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, and Employers' Liability at $500,000 per accident. Contractors must name Broward County as additional insured and provide 30 days' notice of cancellation. Awards will be made to up to two lowest responsive and responsible bidders per group. All responses must be submitted electronically through BPRO by the deadline; responses submitted through other means will not be considered.