C26FI103254072- Request for Proposals (RFP) Manufacture and Delivery of a Base Order of Thirty (30) Clean Battery-Electric Transit Buses with Six (6) Options to Purchase up to Two Hundred Twenty (220) Additional Buses and Associated Spare Parts

The Chicago Transit Authority and Pace Suburban Bus are conducting a joint procurement for the manufacture and delivery of heavy-duty 40 ft. clean battery-electric transit buses. The procurement consists of a base order of 30 buses, split as 20 for CTA and 10 for Pace, with options to purchase up to 220 additional buses through six separate options. The contract includes the provision of associated spare parts, warranty services, and quality assurance documentation. The buses must be capable of suburban express and urban arterial service, with a minimum expected life of 15 years or 600,000 miles. The contract term is five years from execution, excluding warranty claims. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the CTA Bid Office E-Procurement Platform, with a final extended deadline of August 28, 2026. Evaluation is based on project approach, firm qualifications, a U.S. Employment Plan, and price, following a pass/fail gate for responsiveness and financial/technical responsibility. Key requirements include Buy America compliance, with rolling stock assembled in the U.S. and containing at least 70 percent domestic content. The contractor must provide a performance bond at 15 percent of the contract amount and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including a 10 million dollar umbrella liability policy. Delivery includes two pilot buses within 150 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, with subsequent production buses delivered at a rate not exceeding 10 per week.