Transit Buses - Light/Medium Duty Category

Enterprise Services is conducting a competitive solicitation on behalf of the Washington State Transit Bus Cooperative for light and medium duty transit buses across five categories based on seating capacity and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The procurement seeks to award up to four contractors per category, covering buses ranging from 8+1 seating configurations (10,000-11,500 GVWR) to 26+2 configurations (19,501+ GVWR). Deliverables include buses, accessories, equipment, parts, consulting, training, and materials for operational use, with extensive specifications requiring compliance with Altoona testing, MAP-21 requirements, Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and Buy America provisions. The solicitation requires comprehensive pricing, including base model costs, optional add-ons, and a one percent vendor management fee. Evaluation will utilize an 800-point scoring system, with 500 points for standard bus pricing, 270 points for options, and 30 points for Washington state procurement priorities. Key dates include a Pre-Bid Conference on January 6, 2026, questions due by January 28, 2026, bid submissions due by February 9, 2026, Apparent Successful Bidders announced on March 1, 2026, and contract awards anticipated by March 20, 2026.

The contract is available to a wide range of eligible purchasers, including Washington State agencies, institutions of higher education, political subdivisions, federal agencies, public-benefit nonprofit corporations, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Bidders must register in Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system and provide comprehensive certifications addressing debarment status, criminal offense history, civil rights obligations, and wage theft prevention laws. The solicitation includes provisions for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) compliance under 49 C.F.R. Part 26.49 and encourages participation from Washington Small Business or Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses. Historical sales data indicates average annual sales of approximately $18,052,308, with total spending from 2021-2025 of approximately $72,209,235. The contract will have an initial twenty-four-month term with potential extensions up to sixty months total, and contractors must provide extensive warranties including twelve-month complete bus coverage, five to seven-year propulsion system warranties, and parts availability guarantees for twelve years post-acceptance. Pricing will be subject to economic price adjustments based on the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Truck and Bus Bodies Index.