Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Stephen Farmer (Acting Director)
Department: Finance and Administrative Services Division: Purchasing
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO AWARD open-end contract to low responsive, responsible bidder, Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company, for Bus Batteries, Bid No. TRN2130464B2, for the Broward County Transportation Department, in the initial one-year estimated amount of $419,998, and authorize the Director of Purchasing to renew the contract for four one-year periods, for a five-year estimated amount of $2,099,990.
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.47, Award and Execution Authority, Board approval is required for awards with a value of more than $500,000, inclusive of the value of any renewals or extensions provided for in the contract, that includes a rejection of apparent low bidder.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides for the purchase of bus batteries.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) determined that no Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal should apply to this solicitation due to a change in the federal regulations governing the DBE Program (Exhibit 2).
The purpose of this contract is to purchase bus batteries for use by the Broward County Transportation (BCT) Department.
The Director of Purchasing determined the apparent low bidder, Alamex, Inc., to be non-responsive to solicitation requirements by failure to provide needed documents at time of bid submission or after multiple outreach efforts by Purchasing Division staff.
The Director of Purchasing determined the second low bidder, Green Dream International, to be non-responsible based on non-compliance with Specifications and Requirements (i.e., pick up requirements).
The Director of Purchasing determined Los Pasos, LLC d/b/a Batteries Plus, third low bidder, to be non-responsible based on non-concurrence by BCT. BCT’s review found the vendor did not provide relevant references to demonstrate the required experience relevant with the specific need for the provision of transit bus batteries and also failed to demonstrate the required past operating performance specific to the required market. (Exhibit 3).
The Director of Purchasing determined the fourth low bidder, Parts Authority, LLC to be non-responsive for failure to meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements.
The Director of Purchasing determined GUTZ, LLC d/b/a Batteries ETC, the fifth low bidder, to be non-responsible for failure to demonstrate experience and references in the bus industry (Exhibit 3).
BCT has reviewed the bid submitted by Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company, and concurs with the recommendation for award (Exhibit 4).
Four vendor performance evaluations were completed for Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company; the vendor has an overall rating of 4.87 out of a possible 5.0. Copies of the vendor performance evaluations are available upon request.
The Purchasing Division reviewed the prices submitted by the low, responsive, responsible bidder, Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company and has determined the prices submitted are fair and reasonable based on price analysis (Exhibit 5).
The bid was advertised on October 10, 2025, and opened on October 28, 2025; nine bids were received with no declinations (Exhibit 1).
The Recommendation for Award was posted on the Purchasing Division website. On March 20, 2026, the Director of Purchasing received a timely filed protest from Los Pasos d/b/a Batteries Plus. The protest contained five assertions: 1) improper application of unstated evaluation criteria; 2) County approved of proposed product as an “approved equal”; 3) an unsupported and speculative determination of non-responsibility; 4) demonstrated experience, product consistency, and verified operational capability; and 5) lack of opportunity for clarification (Exhibit 6).
On April 24, 2026, the Director of Purchasing issued a detailed response to Batteries Plus stating that the determination for Batteries Plus’ bid being non-responsible was made after a complete and careful consideration of all protest assertions and in consultation with the Office of the County Attorney. As such, the protest was denied, and the County decision was upheld, in compliance with both the Procurement Code and the Broward County Code of Ordinances (Exhibit 7).
No Appeal was filed by Batteries Plus.
The Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company’s bid validity expired on February 25, 2026, and Glades Parts Company, Inc., d/b/a Original Equipment Company has agreed to extend its bid validity through June 30, 2026.
The amounts referenced in this agenda item were rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Vendor payments will be based on the actual total bid amount. The bid tabulation reflects the actual amount of the award.
The contract consists of the County’s solicitation and the vendor’s response.
The initial contract period shall begin on the date of award.
Source of Additional Information
Robert E. Gleason, Director, Purchasing Division
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The open-end contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $2,099,990 over a potential five-year period. The funds estimated for the current fiscal year are included in the current fiscal year budget.
Requisition No. MTD0012979