Phase one of this year’s MSBO Bus Purchasing Program will conclude on January 31, 2012. But don’t despair; starting this year MSBO is bidding the program twice each year with the next phase due to open for purchasing April 2 and continuing through July 31.
This strategy will hopefully better suit districts’ circumstances and provide more accessibility to the program whenever a purchase decision is made.
Last year MSBO transitioned the Bus Purchase Program to a web based platform. All the features and benefits that Michigan districts have enjoyed since the program’s inception 15 years ago remain, with significant additional functionality.
The program is now more user friendly than ever. Because the program is web based, all information you enter into the system will be saved. There is no need to worry about exiting and losing the data you have entered. When you return, you can resume where you left off. You can also access your bus specifications from last year and have those same specs reflect this year’s pricing, eliminating the need to re-do your work from last year, saving even more time.
Additionally, dealers are now able to enter stock buses in the program to allow districts to compare those buses within the program and make a more informed decision.
Getting Started
Go to http://michigan.cooppurchase.com. The bidding has been accomplished for you; all that is left is to “build” the bus desired and compare pricing from the bidding dealers. The program provides extensive flexibility and customization – there are over 275 options available, allowing you to customize your bus to fit your district’s needs. It automatically keeps a running subtotal of all dealer prices as you select various options.
We’ve changed program platform, but the rigorous process to develop the bid remains the same. Each year in advance of the bid, a committee of experienced transportation directors reviews the program. The base specifications and options are analyzed and modified as needed. Bus dealers are also involved in the process 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, safe bus. There are many districts that don’t have the experience necessary in this area and they can be assured that if they order a bus from this program, it will be top quality.
It is not a sole source bid process. Districts can compare and choose among the 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, and BE style buses are all offered in the program. Further help is just a phone call away.
MSBO has continued to keep the administrative fee low at $100 per bus, with a maximum of $1,000 per district per year.
For questions or more information regarding the bus purchasing program, call Scott Little at 517.327.2582, or Pat Korloch at 517.327.5920.