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Specifications

for

6 Passenger 1 Wheelchair Lowered Floor Mini-van

*Note: All specifications will be considered minimum unless stated
otherwise.

Additional Notes:

NOTE 1: Applicable equipment installed and modifications made as required in this ITB must be made by

final stage mfr.

NOTE 2: Final stage mfr. must provide certification of weight compliance at time of delivery.

NOTE 3: All specification and dimensions will be considered minimum unless stated otherwise.

SECTION 1-CHASSIS AND BODY

  1. DIMENSIONS
  2. Wheelbase 121”
  3. *Overall Height 76”
  4. *Inside Height 61”

*Note: These dimensions apply to completed van conversions.

  1. COOLING SYSTEM: Heavy duty radiator with capacity available to prevent overheating while operating in stop and go transit operation in ambient temperatures as high as 110 degreesf. and provide antifreeze protection to -30 degrees f.
  1. ENGINE and TRANSMISSION:
  2. Engine: 3.6 L, V-6, flex fuel gas and E85 engine with electronic fuel injection.
  3. Transmission: 6 – speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive.
  1. STEERING: Power, with easily identifiable reservoir.
  2. Power steering: required, with easily identifiable reservoir.
  3. Tilt wheel: required
  4. Cruise control: required, factory installation.
  1. GVWR: The chassis shall offer a minimum GVWR of 6050. The vehicle as converted shall not exceed the OEM chassis GVWR with 6 passengers.
  1. FRONT and REAR HEATING and AIR CONDITIONING: OEMheating/ defrosting and air conditioning system with vents front and rear shall be provided. All lines and hoses shall be sufficiently fastened, protected and insulated to ensure against wear from friction and the elements. The lines must be mechanically attached, with OEM clamps, to the vehicle at no greater than 18 inch intervals and must be routed so as not to be exposed to wheel spray and not pass within 2 inches of any part of the exhaust system . Conversion shall not impede access to front and air conditioning components.
  1. SUSPENSION SYSTEMS: Vehicle will retain the complete OEM front strut suspension and components. Rear suspension must be capable for the payload identified. Spacers may be added to front and/or rear suspension to maintain ground clearance and ADA requirements. There must be a minimum of five (5) inches clearance between the break-over angle position of the vehicle exhaust pipe and level ground.
  1. INSTRUMENT PANEL, DASH, AND OTHER CONTROLS:
  2. Dash shall be color coordinated.
  3. Instrument panel shall be equipped with the following:
  4. Speedometer with odometer and trip odometer
  5. Oil pressure gage or indicator light
  6. Engine Coolant temperature gage
  7. Fuel Gauge
  8. High beam indicator
  9. Horn
  10. Turn signals
  11. Parking brake light
  12. Headlight switch
  13. Inside hood release
  14. All climate controls
  15. Power outlet
  16. AM/FM Stereo with clock
  17. Windshield wiper with intermittent and washer
  18. Emergency flashers
  19. Driver’s sun visor and interior rear mirror required
  20. Chassis mfg. equipped cruise control
  1. WHEELS and TIRES: The minivan shall be equipped with four (4) stamped steel wheels with painted bolt –on wheel covers, 16” minimum and an OEM full size spare. Tires shall be steel belted radials, as provided by the OEM for the chassis specified. The spare tire shall mount underneath the vehicle or in the rear cargo area and be secured with an easily accessible carrier. Tire changing equipment, as provided by the OEM, shall include a jack of sufficient strength/capacity, and other tools necessary for changing the mounted tires, shall be stored in a compartment/container within the vehicle.
  1. BRAKES: The vehicle shall be equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes.
  1. Service brakes: 4-Wheel disc with anti-lock breaking system.
  2. Parking brake: Mfr.’s standard with dash warning light.
  1. ELECTRICAL:
  2. The vehicle shall have a 12-volt electrical charging system as supplied from the OEM. All electrical wiring shall be automotive stranded copper, of sufficient gauge to handle loads,color coded the match the OEM. All harnesses that are modified/added to the vehicle will be secured to the frame/body at a maximum of two feet intervals with insulated clamps. All exposed terminals and wiring shall be protected from the elements using sealed terminals or heat shrink where necessary. Exposed wires will be wrapped loomed in corrosion and moisture-resistance material.
  3. Battery: Vehicle shall have the heaviest-duty available factory installed battery. Battery cables and connectors shall be OEM (600 CCA, 12 v. maintenance free).
  4. ALTERNATOR: Alternator shall be factory installed, heaviest duty available (160 amp minimum).
  1. ACCEPTABLE BRANDS & MODELS: Dodge Caravan or equal.

SECTION 2 – CONVERSION EQUIPMENT AND DESIGN

  1. ALTOONA BUS TESTING REPORT: The converted minivan must have been submitted to the Altoona bus test centerfor a 4 yr./100,000mile surface transportation and uniform relocation assistance act (STURAA) test. Testing must have been completed on current body style being converted. A copy of the test report shall be made available to the state upon request.
  1. BODY SPECIFICATIONS: Conversion of a minivan by modifying the existing sidewalls and floor shall require the construction that maintains OEM structural equivalent. All metal components that are added shall be welded by qualified operators and made corrosion resistant through a commercial primer application or the use of stainless steel material. Conversion shall provide a minimum clearance of 61” at the vehicle center of the interior roof. The basic vehicle color shall be OEM standard white, with other available OEM factory color optional upon request.
  1. CAPACITY: The minivan shall be capable of carrying in one trip at least three (3) ambulatory adult forward-facing seated passengers and two (2) passengers seated in mobility aids, in addition to the driver. The vehicle shall be convertible to at least five (5) ambulatory passengers, with included fold-a- way seat. Vehicle shall be made ADA compliant through a modification whereby the vehicle floor area is cut from the engine firewall to the rearmost passenger seat and lowered to meet minimum ADA door opening height requirements of 56”. There shall be no modification to any portion or the vehicle roof in meeting the ADA door opening height. A 30” useable clear width manual, 80-degree swing-away, fold-up mobility aid ramp to be mounted vertically and inboard of the curbside sliding door , and two (2) mobility aid positions will be provided.
  1. OEM FUEL TANK: To insure accurate fuel gauge readings, OEM fuel tank must be retained. Non OEM fuel lines and hardware must meet current FMVSS, including FMVSS 301 and current CARB EPA rules.
  1. LINE PROTECTION: all metal, plastic and rubber fluid lines beneath the vehicle that are altered or exposed as a result of floor modification shall be secured and reasonably protected from road damage. Any fuel and brake line modification/alteration must be of OEM equivalent material or workmanship. Straightening and re-bending OEM brake or fuel lines is strictly prohibited.
  1. LOWERED FLOOR: The OEM floor shall be lowered 14 inches from the base of the firewall to the area immediately in front of the rear axle. This assembly shall be stainless steel a minimum 16 gauge, able to meet or exceed the 1000 hour salt spray test. Aluminized steel will be accepted as an approved equal provided that it meets all other requirements in this sections, and stainless steel is quoted as an option. The assembly shall be joined to the frame member in manner that provides a leak proof floor. The floor shall be lower through the threshold of each sliding door and the sliding doors shall be extended to seal.
  1. PASSENGER DOOR AND STEPWELLS:
  2. Vehicle shall have standard OEM driver and passenger front doors, one manual left side rear door ( extended to floor level) and one manual right side mobility aid accessible rear door. The manual left side sliding door shall be OEM and extend to floor level to provide a minimum entry height of 56”. This door shall be equipped with an interlock system so that door cannot be opened from the inside or outside when fuel door is open. The manual right side mobility aid accessible entry door shall offer a minimum opening height of 56”. A minimum useable width of 32.5” and a maximum of 11” to 12”floor -to -ground height. Door extensions shall be constructed of aluminized or stainless steel. Both sliding doors shall have a mechanism to securely hold doors in open position when vehicle is on a hill.
  3. Passenger door tracks: Sliding doors must have reinforced glides with an added stop brace to prevent door from sliding off track. Door tracks shall be reinforced or strengthened beyond OEM standards as needed in all areas of contact with sliding door arms.
  4. Sliding door arms/brackets: Reinforcement of sliding door components shall be at a minimum adequate to support the excess weight created by the door extensions. Under normal closure conditions, there shall be no evidence of door track flexing or wobbling.
  5. Rear door emergency exit: The rear cargodoor shall be provided with a quick release, manual override for opening the door from inside the vehicle, capable of opening the door even if the door is locked.The vehicles over ride device shall be spring loaded and mounted on the inside of the rear door to prevent accidental release. A decal shall be provided showing operating instructions.

SECTION 3 – INTERIOR

  1. GENERAL INTERIOR

a)Interior color shall be color- coordinated and complimentary to the van’s exterior color.

b)For safety all sharp edges and sharp corners shall be eliminated. Any fastenings or other objects that can catch a passenger’s clothing or that can cause injury shall not be permitted. No abrasions, marks, or cuts will be acceptable on any of the interior wallsorseats.

  1. INTERIOR PANELS: All interior panels shall be OEM or OEM equivalent. Panel fastening devices shall match the color of the panels. The interior shall provide a pleasant atmosphere, be aesthetically pleasing and contain smooth finishes without any unprotected sharp edges. The basic vehicle interior shall be gray. All interior panels shall meet FMVSS 302.
  2. INTERIOR LIGHTING: Overhead and lower lighting shall be installed in the interior center seat row of the vehicle that provides not less than two foot- candles of illumination at the entrancearea. This system shall illuminate automatically when the vehicle front or sliding doors are open. All accessory vehicle lighting shall conform to ADA 49 CFR, part 38, subpart B.
  1. FLOORING: All metal, plastic and rubber fluid lines beneath the vehicle that altered or exposed as a result of floor modification shall be secure and reasonably protected from road damage. Any fuel or brake line modification/alteration must be of OEM equivalent material or workmanship. Straightening and re-bending OEM brake or fuel lines is strictly prohibited.
  1. SEAT AND GRAB HANDLES:

a)All seat and restraints in the vehicle as specified must comply with current FMVSS standards.

b)Front passenger seat shall be OEM, matching the driver’s seat. The passenger seat base shall be adapted to permit easy roll out for mobility aid access/securement. The seat shall lock and unlock easily from the floor area.

c)Front driver’s seat shall be OEM with a fixed seat base. An OEM removable front driver seat is also acceptable.

d)Rear seat: The rear most passenger seat shall be the OEM rear bench seat, capable of comfortably accommodating two adult passengers and is to be covered with OEM upholstery to match the driver and front passenger seats. Flip down foot rest is required.

e)Passenger restraint: Restraints shall be furnished for all passengers, consisting of shoulder seatbelts and lap belts. Each belt shall be equipped with an automatic retractor. Securement devices, both for ambulatory and mobility aid passengers, shall meet all state and federal standards.

f)Grab handles: Grab handles shall be installed, OEM are acceptable.

g)One fold-a- way seat shall be installed in the middle of the van to increase the seating capacity to 6 passengers plus the operator. The seat is to be OEM fabric covered to match the front passenger seat. Seat shall be Freedman (BVS/CRS) or equal.

  1. MOBILITY AID/OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS: Each vehicle shall have one (1) Q-Straint QRT-MAX forward facing mobility aid securement and occupant restraint system. The system shall utilize flanged “L” continuous track, capable of securing a variety of common mobility aid designs and accommodate a wide range of occupant sizes. All attachment hardware and anchorages shall sizes. All meet or exceed the 30 mph/20 impact test criteria per SAE J2249, 36 CFR part 1192 and CFR part 38 and all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, as amended. The occupant restraint system shall consist of an adjustable lap and a shoulder belt and meet all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
  1. MOBILITY AID RAMP: The vehicle shall be equipped with a manually operated, 80- degree swing-away mobility access ramp which stows vertically and fold and unfolds through right side door. The installed ramp shall not obstruct the view of the driver through any vehicle window. The ramp shall have a minimum useable width of30” and aslope meeting the requirements of ADA, 49 CFR. The ramp surface shall be continuous and made skid resistance through power coating. It shall have no protrusions from the surface greater than 1/4“. It shall accommodate both four-wheel and three-wheel mobility aids. The ramp shall have a rated capacity of 750 lbs., with a safety factor of at least three (3) based on the ultimate strength of the material. Each side of the ramp shall have protective barriers at least two (2) inches high to prevent mobility aids rolling off of the edge.
  1. CONTROL INTERLOCK: The ramp doors shall be interlocked with the vehicle transmission to ensure the vehicle cannot be moved when the ramp is deployed.
  1. SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Vehicle shall include: 5 lb. fire extinguisher, 10 person first aid kit, triangle flare kit, and body fluid clean up kit.

SECTION 4: WARRANTY AND TRAINING

  1. TRAINING: The successful vendor shall provide each grantee/agency receiving a conversion van with one (1) hour of operator training on the safety, use, care and maintenance of any pertinent aspects of the van.
  1. Manuals: The successful vendor shall provide each with each conversion van with a printed maintenance manuals or one C.D. The manual shall detail preventive maintenance procedures.
  1. REQUIREMENTS: Warranties are in addition to any statutory, implied warranties, remedies or warranties imposed by the contractor. Consistent with this requirement that the contractor warrants and guarantees that each van will be free of defects for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first?
  1. VOIDING THE WARRANTY: The warranty shall not apply to any part or component installed that has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident or has been repaired or altered an any way to adversely affect its performance or eligibility, except insofar as such repairs were in accordance with the contractor’s supplied maintenance manuals.
  1. WARRANTY REPAIRS:
  1. The contractor is responsible for all repairs during the warranty period to the equipment installed. Once notified of warranty matter by the recipient, the contractor will have 48 hours to arrange the needed repairs. If the contractor fails to start the repairs within 48 hours, the van recipient may have repair completed by a third party shop and bill the contractor at the shop hourly rate plus the cost of any materials plus a handling fee of 15% on all material used.
  2. If a component fails during the warranty period, the warranty on the repaired or replaced equipment is equal to the original warranty at the time that installation was complete.
  1. Conversion /modifier requirements: Vehicle modifier or conversion company must be certified by the chassis mfr. To perform the requested work per this ITB.
  1. PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Successful vendor must be able to complete 8 TDOT conversion vans in per month to be considered for award of this contract.
  1. SERVICE FACILITY LOCATIONS: Successful vendor must have a warranty service provider for chassis and body located within state of Tennessee.