The 2010 MSBO/MAPT Aggregated Bus Purchase Program is now available for use as of September 1, 2009. It can be downloaded from MSBO’s website. Prices in the program are good through April 16, 2010.
This program makes bidding and ordering buses extremely simple and smooth. All the bidding has been accomplished for you; all that is left is to “build” the desired bus and compare pricing from the four bidding dealers. Once you decide on the bus you’d like to purchase, you simply provide 3 documents to MSBO, which are all included in the program, and MSBO will forward the appropriate information to the dealer.
Each year, several months in advance of the bid, a committee of experienced transportation directors sits down and reviews the program. The base specifications, along with the options, are analyzed and modified, as needed. Bus dealers are involved in this process, also, to ensure the committee is aware of the newest developments in the school bus industry.
The goal of the committee is to provide a base specification that ensures an extremely high quality, highly safe bus. There are many districts that don’t have the vast experience necessary in this area and they can be assured that if they order a bus from this program, it will be top quality.
The program is also extremely flexible and allows extensive customization with over 275 options available so that districts can build a bus with just about any combination of options desired.
It is not a sole source bid process. It provides the ability to compare and choose among the four dealers, who represent International, Blue Bird, and Thomas/Freightliner.
The program offers an extensive help menu listing instructions, dealer contact information, base specifications and options. Conventional, Special Needs, Transit Rear Engine, Transit Front Engine, A-II buses, and a BE style bus are all offered in the program.
Please be advised that the new 2010 emissions standards go into effect in January and the pricing in the program reflects engines meeting these standards. There may be, however, buses available for varying amounts of time depending on the manufacturer that have pre-emissions engines. These buses, if available, will have a lower price and the specific pricing for these buses is included in each dealer’s clarification statements provided in the help menu.
MSBO has continued to keep the administrative fee low at $100 per bus, not to exceed $1,000 per order. This fee structure is to cover administrative costs only.
For questions or more information regarding the bus purchasing program, call Scott Little at MSBO, 517.327.2582