Type A2 School Buses

The Rockwood School District in Missouri is seeking proposals to lease eight Type A2 school buses for home-to-school transportation serving preschool students with special needs. The procurement involves six buses with a 21+1 passenger capacity including a wheelchair lift, and two buses with a 22-passenger capacity without a lift. These 2027 model year buses are required to meet Missouri 2020 school bus standards, with comprehensive specifications covering chassis, body, engine, transmission, safety features, electrical systems, and interior/exterior requirements. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on October 21, 2025, with proposals due on November 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, and an anticipated Board of Education approval scheduled for December 4, 2025. The lease period will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030, with buses to be delivered by July 1, 2026, and stored at the district's secured bus facilities. Vendors must submit proposals through the Rockwood School District Bonfire portal, with the district reserving the right to split the award or make multiple awards.

The procurement does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The district intends to enter into a true municipal 5-year lease for the full value of the buses without requiring a down payment, with payment terms set at Net 45. While no specific budget range is provided in the documents, the district requires vendors to have comprehensive insurance coverages, including comprehensive general liability and automotive liability. The buses must be painted National School Bus Yellow and delivered with new Missouri state inspection stickers and service manuals. Each bus must include a minimum 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and meet detailed technical specifications. Vendors must also complete an Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Affidavit as part of the proposal process, which is required for contracts exceeding $100,000 and companies with 10 or more employees. The district will handle all maintenance of the leased buses, and they will be used throughout the academic year for transporting preschool students with special needs.