A -- Purchase of 5 School buses for FY 2008 Compliance Test Program

Introduction: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the United States Department of Transportation, is responsible for reducing the number of injuries and deaths on highways resulting from vehicle crashes. As part of its mission to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes, the NHTSA promulgates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Specific Requirements for NHTSA acquisition of five (5) school buses for the Compliance Test Program. Vehicle 1: 2008 (2009 if in production) Girardin Ford MB-IV 200C School Bus (G5, Flat Floor). This vehicle must have an 18 passenger minimum capacity and a minimum of three rows of passenger seating (with standard seats and restraining barriers), be equipped with a Transpec Model 7000 LED or equivalent LED style stop arm, have one wheelchair passenger position with installed Q Straint brand restraining equipment and have one installed Ricon K-Series wheelchair lift system. The Q Straint wheelchair restraining system must be the base or least expensive model and must be complete, including all anchors (installed) and all restraining straps, retractors, buckles, hardware, etc. for one wheelchair position. The Ricon wheelchair lift system must be the K-Series, model K-5510F, or its successor if that model number is not available, and must be complete, fully installed and operational. Vehicle 2: 2009 IC/RE School Bus. This vehicle must have a 72 passenger minimum capacity (with standard seats and restraining barriers), be equipped with Transpec Model 8000 Strobe or equivalent strobe light stop arm (stop arms with incandescent or LED flashers are not acceptable) and have air brakes. Vehicle 3: 2008 (2009 if in production) Collins Grand Bantam School Bus (GM, 12,300 lb GVWR). This vehicle must have an 18 passenger minimum capacity and a minimum of three rows of passenger seating (with standard seats and restraining barriers), have one wheelchair passenger position with installed Sure-Lok brand restraining equipment and have one installed Braun Century Series wheelchair lift system. The Sure-Lok wheelchair restraining system must be the base or least expensive model and must be complete, including all anchors (installed) and all restraining straps, retractors, buckles, hardware, etc. for one wheelchair position. The Braun wheelchair lift system must be the Century Series model CL917B, or its successor if that model number is not available, and must be complete, fully installed and operational. Vehicle 4: 2008 (2009 if in production) Thomas Built Minotour School Bus (GM or Ford, 9,600 lb GVWR). This vehicle must have the maximum possible passenger capacity (with standard seats and restraining barriers). Vehicle 5: 2008 (2009 if in production) Blue Bird Microbird School Bus (GM or Ford, 9,600 lb GVWR). This vehicle must have the maximum possible passenger capacity (with standard seats and restraining barriers). The above vehicles and their installed equipment must meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs) in effect at the time of their manufacture. All vehicle options which are not listed above are to be the ?standard equipment? or the least expensive options which still meet the FMVSSs. The vehicle bid price is to include all delivery fees and any other fees that might be associated with the vehicle purchase. The vehicles do not need to meet any State specific regulations. Vehicle 1, Vehicle 2, and Vehicle 3 are to be delivered to Transportation Research Center (TRC), 10820 State Route 347, East Liberty, OH 43319 on or before June 1, 2008. Vehicle 4 and Vehicle 5 are to be delivered to: MGA Research Corporation, 5000 Warren Road, Burlington, WI 53105 on or before August 1, 2008. Upon delivery to the test laboratory, the vehicles will be inspected and will not be accepted if they do not meet the specifications and requirements set forth here and in the General Vehicle Requirements (Attachment 1). Delivery at the laboratory must occur between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM local time Monday through Friday except holidays.