This RFI seeks information from suppliers to help Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) better understand the current vehicle market for public transport services, including options for new or nearly new diesel vehicles. The insights gained from this RFI will help BOPRC determine its procurement approach for future public transport services and ensure that vehicle requirements are aligned with budget constraints.

Following this RFI, BOPRC will decide on the appropriate procurement process.

This RFI is for information purposes only – it will not be used to evaluate individual suppliers, will not create a shortlist, and will not result in a contract award. BOPRC reserves the right to use the information received to inform internal planning, shape future procurement processes, and develop business cases for any subsequent projects.

The purpose of this RFI is to engage with suppliers to:

• Learn about the availability of new or nearly new diesel vehicles in the market.

• Explore ways to maintain service levels while keeping costs within budget, using suppliers' expertise to manage price challenges.

• Identify innovative ideas, technologies, or practices that could improve service quality while staying within budget.

Pricing information is optional. We are not seeking specific quotes, proposals, or tenders at this stage. Suppliers are welcome to provide high-level commercial insights, such as potential cost-saving innovations or examples of market benchmarking. Understanding any investments required to implement these innovations or mitigate risks would also be valuable.