Project Information

Bid Title

Purchase of Diesel Buses

Issuing Agency

Montgomery County Public Schools

Location

Maryland

Published Date

Jan 28, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 6, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

8111.1

Original Source

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Inquiries

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Documents

Join to Access Full Details

Project Description

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	Laly_A_Bowers@mcpsmd.org
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). RFP 8111.1 Purchase of Diesel Buses FINAL.pdf 01/06/2026 RFP_Attachment A_ Equal Opportunity Certification.pdf 01/06/2026 RFP_Attachment B_Certification of Nonsegregated Facilities.pdf 01/06/2026 RFP_Attachment C_Minority Business Enterprise.pdf 01/06/2026 RFP_Attachment D_Non-Debarment Acknowledgement.pdf 01/06/2026 Price sheet FINALxlsx.xlsx 01/06/2026 9008.11 Erratum.pdf 01/28/2026 RFP 8111.1 QA 1.16.26.pdf 01/16/2026
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

2

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;

3

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

* Disclaimer: Government BidHub provides information on bids, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) solely for convenience and informational purposes. This site is not an official public notice board. For official details, responses, or inquiries, please contact the relevant government agency directly.