School Bus Bid Module

Information for Vendors

The Maine State School Bus Bid may occur annually or in multiple year cycles.  The State of Maine Division of Procurement Services will issue an Invitation to Bid to initiate a request for bid quote.  School bus vendors must use the Bus Bid Module and contact Maine Division of Procurement Services for information about bids.  After the bids are received Maine Division of Procurement Services will review and award the contracts and then send results to Maine Department of Education.

Bus Bid features and benefits include:

  • Feature:  vendor stock bus units are available as part of the bidding process.
    Benefit:  schools have more price options and vendors can offer stock buses.
  • Feature:  archive capability for buyer purchase requests and vendor price submissions.
    Benefit:  historic data is saved to protect from future change or deletion; data are also available for future reference or audits.
  • Feature:  the State school bus bid process is transparent.
    Benefit:  builds trust among schools, citizens, and government

Vendors may enter bus options specific to each school district after the bid is awarded and the bus purchase module is open.  While the Maine School Bus Bid and Purchase System (SBBPS) provides for Maine Uniform School Bus Specifications and strives to provide options above and beyond the base school bus, there are some 8,800 combinations of school bus standards/options.  No program of this size, scope, and complexity can cover every possible option or bus configuration.  Therefore, the program requires schools to VALIDATE their bus design with the selected dealer(s) BEFORE going to their local Board of Education for purchasing authorization.  It is easier to verify first rather than having to go back to the Board with “adjustments.”  We strongly stress the importance of this validation step.

The bus bid calls for completed school bus prices to be Freight On Board (FOB) at your school district delivery site.  Vendors should remind schools that additional charges may be incurred if the ordered bus is not accepted on the agreed-upon delivery date. 

The bus bid calls for school buses to meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS’s) and all applicable State and Federal Laws, including the current National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures.  Schools review all bus specification details with each vendor prior to placing an order.  Vendors work with schools to explain and clarify bus orders.  Neither Maine Division of Procurement nor the Maine Department of Education can guarantee that the buses supplied will meet the base bus specifications.  Dealers, by bidding in the program, have agreed to meet all base bus specifications as stipulated in the Maine State Invitation for Bid, and as detailed in the bus procurement software program. 

Instructions for Vendors

  1. Create a user account.  Contact Maine Division of Procurement Services by email at Donny.crockett@maine.gov .
  2. Register to use the system.  (coming soon)
  3. Log into the system. Click to enter the Maine School Bus Bid and Purchase System.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a vendor register to use the School Bus Bid System and Purchase System bus bid module?

Contact the Maine Division of Procurement Services by email at donny.crockett@maine.gov .

How do vendors receive notices about refresher training on the system?

Vendors who are registered with Maine Division of Procurement Services will receive an invitation to training sessions.  It is important that vendors maintain current contact information with the State.

When is refresher training on the system offered for vendors?

Refresher training sessions VEN101 Submitting A Bid and VEN201 Configuring The Bus For Purchase are offered periodically as needed and requested.  Contact Maine Department of Education Transportation at 624-6600 for information.

Where are Maine Uniform School Bus Specifications located?

Code of Maine Regulations (05-071 CMR Chap. 86) Maine Uniform School Bus Specifications are located on the Maine Department of Education Transportation website.

Who do vendors contact about questions during an open State school bus bid?

Vendors must contact Maine Division of Procurement Services by email at donny.crockett@maine.gov during an open bid.  During that time, vendors may not contact the Maine Department of Education about bid related questions.

Resources and Information

School Bus Vendors

Contact information for school bus vendors who service Maine.  

Websites for school bus vendors who service Maine.

 

January 25, 2019