Last update: 05/15/2012

Vehicle news archive

May 15, 2012

Passenger Vehicle Purchase Request

The operating budget that Governor Chris Gregoire signed May 2 includes a proviso that orders the director of the Department of Enterprise Services to give written approval before any agency can make a passenger vehicle purchase.

Please note: Fleet Operations will handle this process for agencies with fleets managed by DES.

When purchasing passenger vehicles through state contracts, agencies should take into careful consideration the business need. Before signing off on vehicle purchase requests, DES Director Joyce Turner will review the following criteria:

  • Vehicle(s) are included in agency’s biennial vehicle purchase plan.
  • Written approval from the director of the agency making the request.
  • Type of vehicle being requested.
  • Expected use and location of the vehicle.
  • If this is a new vehicle, what is the business need?
  • If it is a replacement vehicle, what is it replacing?
  • Current mileage of the vehicle being replaced. Current retirement mileage is a minimum of:
    • 100,000 miles for gas-powered sedans and station wagons.
    • 115,000 miles for hybrid sedans and SUVs.
    • 115,000 miles for small to mid-size SUVs and trucks.
    • 130,000 miles for full-size trucks and vans.
  • Annual usage.
  • Fuel efficiency. Executive Order 05-01 directs agencies to give preference to hybrid vehicles.

The Passenger Vehicle Request Form can be found at http://www.ga.wa.gov/Vehreq/VehAcq.html. The signature of the agency director is required prior to any review. An electronic version of the signed form should be emailed to vehicleapproval@des.wa.gov.

March 6, 2012

Factory order cutoff dates announced

We were recently advised by a majority of the vehicle contract dealers and their manufacturers the specific factory order cutoff dates for 2012 model year vehicles. Announced cutoff dates have been posted to our Vehicle Acquisition Team website at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/VehicleOrdering/VehicleMenu.aspx.

The website will be updated periodically to update the remaining factory cutoff dates.

Dealers are contractually required to fill all orders received through the 31st of March. Orders placed after March 31, 2012 will be submitted on a "Will Try" basis only, and may not be produced if the factory has reached its total production allocation. Customers ordering during March are advised to order their vehicles as soon as possible to ensure timely production and delivery.

January 24, 2012

2012/2013 Vehicle Contracts

We are pleased to announce the award of state master contracts:

  • 03411, Electric: Nissan Leaf, Plug-In: Chevrolet Volt, Hybrid Alternative/Flexible Fuel: Honda Civic
  • 03511, Automobiles, Compact: Ford Focus, Midsize: Chevrolet Malibu and Dodge Avenger
  • 03611, Police Pursuit Vehicles, Full size AWD: Ford Interceptor, Full size RWD: Chevrolet Caprice, Mid/full size: Chevrolet Impala FFV
  • 03711 Utility/Crossover Vehicles, Full size: Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 03811, Small/Midsize Pickup Trucks, 2WD/4WD Chevrolet Colorado
  • 03911, ½ Ton Trucks, 2WD Regular Cab: Ford F150, 2WD/4WD Extended and 4WD Regular Cab: Dodge Ram 1500
  • 04011, ¾ to 1 Ton Trucks, 2WD/4WD Regular Cab: Ford F250, 2WD/4WD Extended Cab: Ford F250, 2WD/4WD Crew Cab: Ford F250, 2WD/4WD Regular Cab: Dodge Ram 2500 and 4WD Crew Cab: Chevrolet 2500
  • 04111, Cab and Chassis Trucks, Ford F350, Ford F450, Ford F550, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Dodge Ram 3500
  • 04211 Cargo Vans, Mini Cargo: Ford Transit Connect and High Roof High MPG: Nissan NV 2500
  • 04311, Passenger Van, 8/12/15 Passenger van: Chevrolet Express

All vehicles currently available for ordering may be ordered on line at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/VehicleOrdering/VehicleMenu.aspx

January 12, 2012

Ford Escape XLS Out of Production

Ford announced a much earlier than anticipated final order due date for the 2012 Ford Escape XLS on contract 05810. They are no longer being produced. To meet our contractual obligations our contract dealer, Columbia Ford Nissan, has preordered several vehicles for inventory to meet your needs. There are 117 in-stock vehicles available.

Vehicles are available to State Agencies, Colleges, Universities and Political Subdivisions Purchasing Co-op members on a first-come, first-served basis, based on when the A-15 Purchase Requisition is received by our office.

If you would like to procure any in-stock vehicles, please quickly complete an A15 Purchase Requisition and return the in-stock price sheet. Fax it to (360) 586-2426 or email it to breann.aggers@des.wa.gov. Please complete and return the information as there may be other customers interested in the in stock vehicles. If interested, please call Breann Aggers at (360) 407-9416 or email.

December 19, 2011

Prius Hybrids Now In Stock

Our contracted dealer has just notified us that 60 Toyota Prius hybrid sedans (2011) are now in stock and available for immediate delivery, in the following colors:

  • Blizzard pearl (white) – 3 available
  • Silver – 20 available
  • Sandy beach – 19 available
  • Blue ribbon- 18 available

All vehicles are equipped with contract required equipment. The usual stock vehicle upcharge has been waived by the contracted dealer, Toyota of Yakima.

Contract price, as equipped is $22,603 plus 8.1% SST (please note that the contract price for exterior color white is slightly higher at $22,779 plus 8.1% SST). Dealer installed options listed on contract 05510 may also be added prior to delivery. With the high price of gasoline, it is becoming increasingly harder for the dealer to obtain an unrestricted allocation of vehicles. Customers are advised to order soon, before existing stock is depleted. Vehicles may be ordered on line at http://www.ga.wa.gov/Vehreq/VEHMENU.htm. When ordering an in-stock vehicle please insert “Purchase of In-Stock Vehicle” in the comments block of your requisition. Delivery will normally occur within one week of order placement.

Interested customers are advised to order quickly, as these in-stock hybrid vehicles won’t last long (factory lead time for the 2012 Prius Hybrid is usually 90 days). These vehicles are on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the order that your vehicle requisition is received in our office.

December 5, 2011

Need Vehicles Now?

Our contract dealers now have over 40 different new model year 2011/2012 contract vehicles in stock for your immediate purchase. Included are hybrids, police vehicles, utility vehicles, trucks, and cargo vans. If you would like to buy any in-stock vehicle, please quickly complete an A15 Purchase Requisition and return the in-stock price sheet. Fax it to (360) 586-2426 or you may email it to breann.aggers@des.wa.gov. If the in-stock vehicles are available for online ordering, please make sure you choose Stock Vehicle Up-Charge, if available.

The in-stock vehicles are available for immediate delivery, at state contract price. The in-stock vehicles are on a first-come first-served basis, based on when we receive the A-15 Purchase Requisition in our office. For further information visit the in-stock vehicles page or call Breann Aggers at (360) 407-9416.

August 17, 2011

2012 Vehicle Contracts Status

We have just successfully concluded negotiations to extend several model year 2011 vehicle contracts for model year 2012 at the same pricing.

The following vehicles are now available for ordering in their respective categories:

  • Automobiles - Chevrolet Impala
  • Police vehicles - Dodge Charger
  • Utility vehicles - Ford Escape XLS and Ford Explorer
  • Cargo vans - Chevrolet Express
  • Passenger vans - Dodge Grand Caravan

All vehicles currently available for ordering may be ordered on line at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/VehicleOrdering/VehicleMenu.aspx.

Limited in-stock 2011/2012 vehicles are also available for viewing at

https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/VehicleOrdering/InStockVehicles.aspx.

July 14, 2011

2012 Vehicle Contract Specifications Being Developed

The Office of State Procurement is in the preliminary stages of developing the bid document for the model year 2012 vehicle contracts. State agencies, as well as government organizations and nonprofit corporations who are members of the State of Washington Purchasing Co-Op are welcome to send a representative to attend our upcoming ad-hoc Specification Committee meeting. We are seeking input on your vehicle needs for 2012 and advice on the vehicle equipment bid specifications and categories. Once the bid document is developed and released, we will then invite Washington State dealers and their manufacturers to provide their input at a subsequent pre-bid conference.

The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Thursday July 28th in Room G-3 of the General Administration Building, 201 General Administration Bldg, Olympia.

For familiarization and preparation, please view last year’s bid document:

If you will be attending please send your RSVP to Chris Schoepfer at (360) 407-9404, fax (360) 586-2426 or e-mail at christine.schoepfer@des.wa.gov. If you are unable to attend but would like to provide input for the group’s consideration you may e-mail Breann Aggers at breann.aggers@des.wa.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the state’s vehicle contracts. We look forward to your input.