Transit Vehicle Painting

Sarasota County is seeking a contractor for Invitation for Bids (IFB) #242540MM to paint eleven 35-foot Gillig 2017 transit buses for the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) system. The project requires removing existing decals and paint, and applying a new design using automotive-grade paint from PPG Industries or Sherwin Williams in specific colors including white, black, blue, and aqua. Bidders must demonstrate experience painting commercial heavy-duty or public transit vehicles within the past seven years, with a minimum of two professional references. The contractor must complete all eleven vehicles within 150 days from the first vehicle being removed from service, processing no more than two vehicles simultaneously and possessing each vehicle for no longer than fourteen calendar days. The work must be performed at a site within 150 driving miles of Transit Administration, with potential vehicle transportation requirements. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with a seven-year warranty on paint work and a two-year warranty on decal work. The bid is due on April 5, 2024, with the project covering vehicles located in Sarasota County and Siesta Key CDP.

The solicitation does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverages, including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, Business Automobile Liability, and Garagekeeper's Legal Liability. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project involves painting eleven transit buses, which suggests a substantial contract value. The painting must adhere to specific branding guidelines, including using precise color codes such as County Blue (#004b8d), Surf Aqua (#3ec2cf), and other brand-specific colors outlined in the attachment. If decals are used, they must be sourced from 3M or FLEXcon with precise application standards. The project is associated with the Breeze Transit brand and appears to be funded through grant mechanisms, which may impact typical local and American business preferences. Potential bidders should carefully review the comprehensive project documents, particularly Attachment B (bus photos), Attachment A (paint design), and Attachment C (font and color codes) to fully understand the detailed requirements of the transit vehicle painting project.