One (1) Midsize SUV FWD

The County of Merced is soliciting bids for the procurement of one new, current or subsequent model year mid-size front-wheel drive SUV. The vehicle must be unused, in current production, and meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including requirements for anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, a backup camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. While the County expresses a preference for the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse, bidders must provide a vehicle spec sheet and an exception page for their proposal. The awarded bidder is required to deliver and invoice the vehicle in new, undamaged condition no later than December 4, 2026, with all pricing submitted as Free on Board Delivered. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder, with a ten percent local business purchasing preference applied where applicable. Evaluation factors include price, compliance with technical specifications, product quality, performance capability, and the bidder's past performance and reputation. The successful vendor must maintain a Merced County Business License and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability of one million dollars per occurrence, Automobile Liability of one million dollars per accident, and statutory Workers Compensation. Upon delivery, the vehicle is subject to inspection and a potential fifteen-workday on-site acceptance test to ensure it meets manufacturer specifications.