Battery Electric Bus Maintenance Training & Apprenticeship Program

TARTA seeks competitive proposals from qualified firms to develop and implement a comprehensive zero-emission workforce development, maintenance training, and apprenticeship framework. The engagement is intended to build internal capability as TARTA expands its zero-emission fleet and to move employees from foundational safety knowledge to progressively advanced electrical theory, diagnostics, troubleshooting, structured OJT, apprenticeship milestones, and internal instructor capability.

TARTA has already pursued vendor and safety training and has explored regional education partnerships. The expanded program should build on those investments rather than duplicate them, identify remaining competency gaps, and establish a sustainable approach that integrates external expertise with long-term internal knowledge transfer.

Project Objectives

• Develop a phased ZEB/BEB training roadmap aligned to fleet transition needs.
• Create role-based competency pathways for maintenance personnel and other employees who directly support zero-emission vehicle deployment.
• Develop a comprehensive, modular training curriculum and supporting instructional materials for ZEB/BEB, hybrid, and related vehicle technologies that can be delivered by TARTA staff and approved training partners.
• Formalize ZEB/BEB training apprenticeship governance, OJT, related instruction (RI), mentoring, assessment, and progression.
• Build ZEB/BEB Train-the-Trainer capacity so TARTA can retain knowledge and reduce unnecessary reliance on outside instructors.
• Provide all ZEB/BEB curriculum and training materials in editable electronic formats with rights allowing TARTA to use, revise, reproduce, and deliver the program internally or through future training providers.

Scope of Services

• 3.1 Discovery, Skills-Gap Validation and Training Roadmap
• 3.2 ZEB/BEB Technical Curriculum and Standards Alignment
• 3.3 Role-Based ZEB/BEB Training Competency Pathways
• 3.4 ZEB/BEB Training Apprenticeship and OJT Framework
• 3.5 Education, Labor and Industry Partnerships
• 3.6 ZEB/BEB Training Train-the-Trainer and Knowledge Transfer
• 3.7 ZEB/BEB Hands-On OJT and Practical Exercises
• 3.8 Diagnostics, PPE, Tools and Training Aids
• 3.9 Tracking, Measurement and Continuous Improvement
• 3.10 Project Administration

Required Deliverables

• D1 Validated skills-gap and training-needs assessment
• D2 Phased workforce and technical training roadmap
• D3 Role-based competency matrix
• D4A Complete Technical Training Curriculum Package
• D5 Apprenticeship/JATC governance and OJT/RSI framework
• D7 Train-the-Trainer curriculum and delivery
• D9 Hands-on OJT exercise library
• D14 Knowledge-transfer and sustainability plan
• D14A Pilot Training Evaluation Report
• D15 Monthly project reporting and final implementation package

Optional / Separately Priced Services

• Diagnostic software and laptop/tablet-based diagnostics training.
• Charging-system operations, safety, and maintenance training.
• First-responder curriculum development and delivery.

**Submission method:** RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/tarta

Bidders shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Submit Response", and follow the instructions to submit the electronic bid.

**Proposals due:** November 19, 2026, 3:00pm. Question Submission Deadline: November 5, 2026, 3:00pm. Question Response Date: November 10, 2026.

Presentations, If Needed: Week of November 9, 2026 (if applicable), at 1127 West Central Ave, Toledo OH 43610, or TEAMS Meeting.

Each bidder **MUST** submit the original *Declaration of Non-Collusion* sheet with the proposal. The *Lobbying Certification* is also an attachment.

Evaluation criteria

• Technical approach and responsiveness to scope.
• Relevant ZEB/BEB workforce and technical training experience
• Apprenticeship, OJT/RSI, Train-the-Trainer, and competency-development experience
• Qualifications and availability of key personnel
• Cost Proposal
• References and demonstrated performance on comparable engagements.

Finance Committee: December 10, 2026. Resolution to Board: December 17, 2026. Official Award Announcement: December 18, 2026.