Purchase of Diesel Buses
| Location: | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Due: | Feb 6, 2026 |
| Agency: | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 8111.1 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Open Solicitation
| Bid/RFP Number: 8111.1 | |
| Solicitation Title |
Purchase of Diesel Buses |
| Due Date & Time |
02/06/2026 02:00 PM
|
| Contract Type |
RFP |
| Buyer E-mail | |
| Description |
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is intended to cover the purchase and delivery of new school buses for Montgomery County Public Schools, Division of Transportation Services (MCPS-DOT).
|
| eMaryland Marketplace link | BPM054762 |
Attachment Preview
January 6, 2026
RFP Number:
Due Date:
Open Time:
8111.1
February 3, 2026
2:00 p.m.
To: Prospective Offerors:
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to intended to cover the purchase and delivery of
new school buses for Montgomery County Public Schools, Division of Transportation Services
(MCPS-DOT).
Please respond according to the instructions provided in the attached. Proposals must be received
on or before 2:00 p.m., on February 3, 2026. Proposals received after this date and time will not be
considered. Proposals shall be delivered in a sealed envelope with the RFP number, opening date
and opening time indicated in the lower left corner of the envelope. Proposals shall be delivered
to the Department of Procurement, 45 West Gude Drive, Suite 3100, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
The offeror must submit one (1) original, one (1) redacted copy, one (1) electronic version on flash
drive and one (1) copy of the original proposal. The proposal must be signed by an official having
authority to contract with MCPS. The firm and official's name shall be used. This solicitation does
not commit MCPS to pay any costs incurred in the submission of proposals or guarantee that an
award will be made.
In the event of emergency closing of the MCPS Board of Education offices, this RFP will open at
the same time on the next regular working day.
AMD
Enclosure
Sincerely,
Angela McIntosh Davis
Director
Office of Financial Management
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Department of Procurement, Suite 3100
45 West Gude Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Request for Proposal #8111.1,
Purchase of Diesel Buses
1.0 INTENT
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is intended to cover the purchase and delivery of
new school buses for Montgomery County Public Schools, Division of Transportation Services
(MCPS-DOT). Buses will be purchased using the Montgomery County Public School Master Lease
which has been awarded under a separate contract. A completed pilot model of each item awarded
must be made available no later than March 12, 2027 for MCPS-DOT staff’s inspection. Upon
acceptance of the pilot model, delivery of the remaining buses is required as specified under Section
3.4.
2.0 BACKGROUND
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the 15th largest school system in the United States,
and the largest in the state of Maryland. During the 2025-2026 school year, MCPS serves more than
156,000 students from 157 countries speaking 162 languages. With a Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Operating
Budget of approximately $2.76 billion, MCPS employs more than 25,800 employees. Among the 211
schools that MCPS operates, 42 are National Blue-Ribbon schools. Six MCPS high schools rank in
the top 200 of The Washington Post’s 2015 High School Challenge, and all 25 MCPS high schools
appear on this list, which only includes the top 11 percent of high schools in the country. MCPS has
one of the highest graduation rates among the nation’s largest school districts, according to an
Education Week report. In 2010, MCPS was the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award, the highest presidential honor given to American organizations for performance excellence.
The student demographics of MCPS in 2024-2025 are as follows:
Hispanic/Latino: 35.3%
White: 23.9%
Black or African American: 21.6%
Asian: 13.7%
Two or more races: ≤ 5.3%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: ≤0.2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: ≤0.1%
3.0
SCOPE OF SERVICES/SPECIFICATIONS
3.1 Proposals should address the entire scope of services and specifications as outlined below.
See Appendix B and C for Specifications of the 48 and 72 Passenger Buses
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RFP 8111.1
3.2 Technical Requirements and Vendor Experience
1. Audit Provisions – MCPS shall have the right to examine the successful bidder(s) records pertaining to
work performed under the contract to determine and verify their compliance with all contractual conditions.
MCPS shall be granted access to such records at all reasonable times during the contract period and for
three years thereafter.
2. Contingent Fee – The successful bidder (s) hereby represents that they have not retained anyone to solicit
or secure this contract from MCPS upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage,
brokerage or contingent fee, except for bona fide employees or bona fide established commercial selling
agencies maintained by the person so representing for the purpose of securing business, or any attorney
rendering professional legal services consistent with applicable canons of ethics.
3. Assignments – Neither this contract nor any interest therein nor claim thereunder shall be assigned or
transferred by the successful bidder(s) except as expressly authorized in writing by MCPS and no contract
shall be made by the successful bidder(s) with any other party for furnishing any of the work or services
herein contracted for without the written approval of MCPS.
4. Disputes – Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under this contract shall be disposed of by
written agreement between the contractor and the contracting officer. Pending final decision of a dispute
hereunder, the contractor shall proceed diligently with the contract performance.
5. Bidders are required to furnish satisfactory evidence that they are authorized dealers or
manufacturers of the items listed, or regularly engaged in performing the services on which they
are bidding and, in both cases, they must maintain a regularly established place of business. An
authorized representative of MCPS may visit any prospective contractor's place of business to
determine ability, capacity, reliability, financial stability, and other factors necessary to perform the
contract.
3.3 Fleet Compatibility and Standardization Requirements
The district operates a standardized fleet of school buses to promote operational efficiency, cost
control, and reliability. To support maintenance efficiency, parts commonality, diagnostic tool
software compatibility, and technician training, the district requires that all buses proposed under
this RFP be fully compatible with the district’s existing standardized fleet.
Proposers must demonstrate that the buses offered:
1. Are compatible with the district’s existing maintenance and diagnostic systems, including
manufacturer-approved diagnostic software and tools currently in use;
2. Utilize components and parts that align with the district’s established parts inventory to
the greatest extent possible;
3. Do not introduce unique or proprietary systems that would require additional specialized
tooling, software licenses, or significant retraining of maintenance personnel;
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RFP 8111.1
Documentation and Compliance
Proposals must clearly identify:
1. Any deviations from the district’s current fleet specifications;
2. Any additional tools, software, licensing, or training that would be required as a result of
the proposed equipment;
3. Confirmation that proposed vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and
local regulatory requirements.
3.4 Delivery/Timeline for Implementation
Prior to delivery, the successful contractor(s) shall contact MCPS-DOT, Fleet Maintenance Manager
or his designee at 240-740-6066 to arrange for delivery.
Deliveries will be accepted Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If special
arrangements have been made for delivery past 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the delivery
will not be posted until the next business day. Under no conditions will a delivery be accepted past
9:00 p.m. on Friday.
Upon delivery, the successful contractor(s) shall provide a duplicate delivery ticket that must be
signed, dated and clocked in by an authorized MCPS representative. The successful contractor or
his designee shall also countersign and date the delivery ticket.
The successful contractor(s) shall have one hundred percent (100%) of the units initially ordered
delivered no later than August 1, 2027. Deliveries will be accepted in increments as they are
completed starting June 18, 2027. All buses are to be delivered complete with any options installed
prior to delivery to MCPS-DOT at 16651 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, Maryland 20855.If
additional quantities are approved in the March 2027 budget process, additional purchases shall be
delivered on a mutually agreed upon date. Delivery past the dates specified will be cause for
assessment of late charges. See Paragraph 3.3.3. Late Charges.
All school bus units shall be completely assembled, adjusted, and all equipment installed prior to
delivery to MCPS. All parts not specifically mentioned herein which are necessary to provide a
complete school bus, bus body, or chassis shall be furnished by the successful contractor(s) and
said parts shall conform in strength, quality of materials and workmanship to recognized industry
engineering practices.
The following services on all units ordered shall be performed before the bus is released from the
manufacturer:
• Complete chassis lubrication.
• Pre-delivery inspection and service on all chassis and body components.
4
RFP 8111.1
• All fluids to be checked and maintained with proper grade, weight, and filled to proper
capacity.
The successful contractor(s) or their representative responsible for the final delivery shall attach a
signed and dated certificate to each bus stating that the above services have been performed and that
inspection indicates the total unit is in good condition and ready for delivery. The Contractor
shall notify MCPS when these services are completed. Upon completion of the above services
MCPS reserves the option to send a MCPS staff member to perform a pre-delivery inspection at the
successful contractor’s site prior to delivery of the bus. After delivery of complete unit, the
successful contractor(s) shall conduct an inspection and perform all warranty work within ten days
after inspection. Additionally, a company representative/technician shall be available, on a daily
basis to perform on-site warranty repairs from “punch list” items. All punch list items must be
completed by August 17, 2027.
3.3.1 Warranty
The basic bus chassis and body shall have an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) warranty of three
years unlimited mileage from date placed in service by MCPS against defects in material and/or
workmanship in normal use and service. Coverage will be for one hundred percent (100%) of the parts
and labor.
In addition to the basic warranty coverage period of three years, the following components will be covered
as specified below for one hundred percent (100%) of parts and labor. All extended warranties must be
OEM warranty only, No Exceptions. Bidders shall include with their bid proposal confirmation in
writing to provide warranties as specified. Confirmation shall be signed and dated by a company
representative who is authorized to enter into contracts.
Engine - Coverage shall be for 120 months (unlimited mileage) from in-service date. Warranty will repair
or replace any internally lubricated part or parts including the fuel injection pump, injectors and water
pump. Warranty shall also include all engine electronic components, harnesses and connectors, engine
control system, IDM, ECM, power relays, injectors, connectors, all engine sensors, all SCR and related
emission control components, and all engine modules.
Transmission – Coverage shall be for 60 months unlimited mileage and engine hours from in-service
date. Warranty will repair or replace any parts, including electronics or whole transmission that proves
defective in normal use.
ABS Brakes - Coverage shall be for 96 months from in-service date, 9,500 engine hours, or 175,000 miles
whichever comes first. Warranty will repair or replace all electronic components, including brake valves
for ABS system.
Other Major Components - Coverage shall be for 60 months unlimited mileage and engine hours from
in-service date. Warranty will repair or replace any of the following major components that fail or prove
to be defective in normal use:
Driveline, rear axle and differential (except brakes, axle shaft, controls, wheel ends, and attachments),
front axle assembly (except brakes and wheel ends), and cross members, brackets, suspension (except
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Montgomery County
Bid Due: 7/08/2026
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