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General Content

Legacy ID
171
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Expiration of Bids

Frequently Asked Questions(1) If a contract is awarded contingent on the availability of funding and the funding is not approved by the time the bids expire, can the selected contractor extend the validity of its bid price until funding is approved? (2) If a contract is awarded contingent on the...

Excusable Delays

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the definition of an “Act of God” as it relates to contracts? A vendor contracted to service the HVAC system is claiming that storms are an act of God when the power goes out.

The following web site contains various definitions of the term "Acts of God,"...

Evaluation of Proposals

Frequently Asked QuestionsOur agency recently issued an RFP for PM services. Three firms submitted proposals. One firm shortly withdrew their bid. We evaluated and ranked two remaining proposals. We negotiated with both remaining proposers and requested BAFOs from both. The number 1 ranked firm...

Evaluating Run-Out Costs

Frequently Asked QuestionsMetro Transit (Minneapolis/St. Paul) is soliciting bids for a new tire lease and service contract. It is a federally funded procurement with an estimated contract value of $5 million. Our procurement will consider the cost of running out the current contractor's tires (if...

EPA Certification

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the level of EPA certification required for a diesel engine in a transit/commuter/diesel multiple unit application?

The Environmental Protection Administration oversees all diesel engine emissions standards and related issues, including engines used in railroad...

Engine Emission Standards

Frequently Asked QuestionsI am looking for the engine emission levels for buses to be built in 2005. We are putting together a spec for bid and I need to be sure that the engines offered will meet the spec for what would be considered an ULEV diesel engine on low sulfur fuel.

We suggest you...

Electronic Commerce

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) guidance on electronic commerce?

FTA Circular 4220.1F authorizes grantees to use a well-structured Electronic Commerce system to conduct third party procurements.  The circular defines electronic commerce as “...

Economic Price Adjustment Clause

Frequently Asked QuestionsIs there a clause to be used by contractors referred to as a cost escalator, to factor in materials increases during the term of the contract? If so, where could I find the standard verbiage and/or guidelines?

You may want to refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulations...

Documenting Small Purchases or Micro Purchases

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat documentation is needed to support a Small Purchase? A Micro Purchase?

A useful standard for documentation of small purchases is found in the answer to the question; “How much would satisfy a third party (an auditor) that you have complied with your agency’s...

VA Veterans Transportation Service

The Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) is a new program of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Central Business Office.  VTS seeks to provide transportation services to VA Medical Centers as well as technology and mobility management training to Medical Center staff that enable...