Bus Inspection and Buy America Auditing Services

The vendor required to provide to perform bus line inspection services, including a pre- and post-delivery buy America audits, in accordance with FTA 49 cfr, part 663.37 for rolling stock procurements.
- Metro bus has secured federal grants for the procurement and manufacture of the following class 400, low floor cutaway, compressed natural gas (CNG) paratransit buses:
•    ARBOC spirit of freedom, class 400 low floor cutaway buses
•    Body and chassis type: ford
•    Fuel type: compressed natural gas (CNG)
•    Quantity: six (6) class 400, CNG, spirit of freedom low floor, ford chassis, cutaway buses
•    Vehicle use: paratransit
- Obtain high quality and professional bus line inspection and resident engineering services so as to ensure that the buses obtained by metro bus have been built using top quality materials, processes, and Equipment per the agreed specifications along with compliance with all federal transit administration rules, requirements, regulations.
- Metro bus at the ARBOC and a-1 facilities and shall monitor the manufacturing and installation processes for metro bus’s vehicles.
- Contractor requirements
•    Be present throughout the bus manufacturing process and CNG conversion process at a-1 and shall conduct inspection services during all processes to visually confirm compliance to metro bus’s final and ensure compliance with the performance standards contained therein.
•    Prepare and maintain video, photos, and records.
•    Provide metro bus with the following pre- and post-delivery reports as required by 49 cfr part 663 in a form sufficient for submission to the federal transit administration:
o    Pre- and post-delivery buy America
o    Pre- and post-delivery audit
o    Pre- and post-delivery buy America content
o    Pre- and post-delivery purchasing requirements certification
o    Pre- and post-delivery FMVSS
o    Pre- and post-delivery TVM
- Inspections during the manufacturing process
•    Monitor and inspect all body-on-chassis suspension modifications during the manufacture of the class 400 buses.
•    Monitor and evaluate critical build-up and assembly of body frames including the roof, sidewall, front and rear sections, and floor structure.
•    Visually monitor the manufacture, assembly and attachment of all undercarriage structures and upper body components.
•    Verify uniformity of component installations, alignment and proper support. 
•    Check for proper thickness, type, and adhesion of undercoating’s if applicable. 
•    Visually inspect the installation and observe functional tests of the ramp. 
•    Visually inspect uniformity, installation, and attachment of all CNG related components including torque of critical connections and fasteners. 
•    Visually inspect the installation and observe functional tests of the primary heating and air conditioning system along with auxiliary heaters. 
•    Ensure proper placement and operation of auxiliary heaters.
•    Visually inspect the proper installation and functional testing of the natural gas and fire suppression systems. 
•    Monitor and inspect routing of wiring harnesses and hoses and proper placement of fire suppression system nozzles (critical). 
•    Ensure proper routing and placement of all metro bus requested pre-wire electrical, harnesses and equipment locations. 
•    Monitor and inspect proper grade of bolts, appropriate type, and application of blind fasteners. 
•    Verify location and reliability of electrical circuits and terminals, electrical junction and component boxes. 
•    Monitor, test and verify the type and arrangement of passenger seating and any applicable seat belts.
•    Monitor and verify proper positioning and operation of all interior and exterior lighting including proper operation of all hazard and vehicle detection lighting
•    Visually identify and verify the repair of any air, water, or fluid leaks. 
•    Visual and measured inspections of the overall fit and finish of the bus paint applications ensuring proper paint color application has been applied. 
•    Provide solutions to production line problems and implement approved change orders. 
•    Water and road test inspections. 
•    Report on the progress and condition of each individual class 400 bus as they move through the production process.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: December 17, 2025