Agenda Item
i. Contract Award ~ Cooperative Agreement ~ Georgia Statewide Contract ~ Peach State Truck Centers (#99999-SPD0000236-0003) ~ Acquisition of Thomas Built School Buses (Not to Exceed $3,140,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education (“the Board”) approve the use of the Cooperative Agreement - Georgia Statewide Contract - 99999-001-SPD0000236-0003 - Peach State Truck Centers for the purchase of twenty (20)- 2027 / Thomas Built - Saf-T-Liner C2 (72 passenger) school buses from Peach State Truck Centers in an amount not to exceed $3,140,000.
Why: The approval of the proposed purchase supports the DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) ongoing efforts to maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient student transportation fleet. These buses will replace units that have exceeded established lifecycle thresholds of 175,000+ miles and/or 15+ years in service. Replacing aging buses is necessary to ensure the safety of student transportation, sustain operational efficiency, and reduce the increasing maintenance costs associated with an older fleet.
Details: The Division of Operations - Transportation/Fleet Services Department is requesting approval to procure twenty (20) 2027 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. These units will replace existing buses that have exceeded lifecycle standards of 175,000 miles and/or 15 years of service. Replacement buses will improve fleet reliability, reduce downtime, and enhance safety for student transportation operations. Newer buses are expected to lower maintenance and repair costs while improving fuel efficiency and overall operational performance.
The Georgia Statewide Contract - 99999-001-SPD0000236-0003 - term is for an initial two (2) years, (effective date 12.16.2025 -12.15.2027) with five (5) one (1) year optional renewals.
This Purchase will ensure that the Transportation Department is adequately equipped to respond to student school bus issues throughout the District in a timely manner and aligns with the District’s strategic focus on operational efficiency, fleet modernization, and ensuring safe and dependable transportation services for students.
Financial impact: Amount: Not to exceed $3,140,000.00. Funds will be utilized from FY26 General Purchase/Lease - Buses Codes: 100.2700.573200.41121.7100.2411.8010.040.0000
100.2700.573200.00011.7100.2410.8012.040.0000
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, 678.676.1470
Mr. Raymond Stanley, Executive Dir. Transportation & Fleet, Division of Operations, 678.676.1395
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
Contract Award – Cooperative Agreement
State of Georgia – School Buses with Related Equipment, Options
and Accessories
Peach State Truck Centers – Thomas Built Buses
Scope
Contract– Cooperative Agreement- Georgia Statewide Contract -#99999-
SPD-0000236-003- Peach State Truck Centers through an Electronic Request
for Proposals (eRFP) #99999-001-SPD0000236 for School Buses with Related
Equipment, Options, and Accessories.
DeKalb County School District Division of Operations – Transportation and Fleet
Department Division seeks to purchase twenty (20) - 2027 Thomas Built – Saf T-
Liner C2 (72 passenger) school buses from Peach State Truck Centers through
Georgia Statewide Contract -#99999-SPD-0000236-003.
Contract Term:
The State of Georgia Statewide Contract for School Buses with Related
Equipment is a base, two (2) year contract with five (5), one (1) year renewal
options by the State of Georgia to awarded vendors. It is a total of seven (7) years.
The Cooperative Agreement between the State of Georgia through Peach State
Truck Centers will be effective upon Board Approval and fully executed contract
documents. Renewals by Dekalb County School District are subject to Dekalb
County School Board of Education approval on a year-by-year- basis.
Solicitation Process:
In January 2025, the State of Georgia published an Electronic Request for Proposals
(eRFP) School Buses with Related Equipment, Options and
Accessories. Notice of Intent to Award for the solicitation was posted September
5, 2025. Peach State Truck Centers was one of several awardees. The Contract is
effective for a base period of two (2) years- December 16, 2026, through December
15, 2027.
Award Process:
Board Policy DJE (Purchasing), Paragraph III D.3.(d), which allows
exceptions to competitive selection when purchases are made through contracts
formally obtained by the State of Georgia or other governmental agencies.