Announcements

FTA Webinar: Bus Procurement Best Practices (2/29)

Published on: February 18, 2024

 

Transit agencies: You are invited to join FTA to learn about recommended bus procurement practices at a webinar scheduled for Thursday, February 29 at 1:30 PM CT.

The COVID pandemic, combined with longstanding transit agency procurement practices, has created significant challenges for transit vehicle ​manufacturers, resulting in supply chain issues in the bus sector. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides substantial new federal funding to help transit agencies buy buses, but many procurement practices contribute to delays in how buses, particularly zero-emission buses, are designed and procured.

At the webinar, presenters will provide an update on the current U.S. bus market and highlight procurement tools, guidance and resources recommended by FTA. They will also review flexibilities available to transit agencies to help lower bus costs and simplify procurements. Transit agency leaders, fleet managers, legal, finance, and procurement staff, and others involved in supporting bus and bus facilities purchases are encouraged to attend.

FTA has listened to transit agencies and TVMs to better understand trends in federally funded bus procurements that affect the financial health and stability of the bus manufacturing industry. To support needed change, FTA issued a Dear Colleague letter announcing a series of actions meant to help strengthen the industry, lower bus costs, and accelerate vehicle deliveries. FTA also created a bus procurement webpage with updated FAQs to assist grantees.

FTA presenters include:

• Paul Kincaid, Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs
• Dana Nifosi, Acting Chief Counsel
• James Harper Jr., Director, Office of Acquisition Management

Participants must register and may submit bus procurement-related questions through the registration portal.

Links:
Register for the webinar
Dear Colleague Letter
FTA Bus Procurement Webpage
FTA Bus Procurement FAQs
FTA Bus Procurement Best Practices Webinar Registration