Description
The California Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is seeking stakeholder input on a proposed “contracted inspection network” that would centralize BAR‑97 (pre‑OBD II) smog‑check inspections for vehicles model‑year 1995 and older in all designated enhanced‑air‑quality areas. The network would be overseen by a primary contractor who would manage a statewide roster of existing licensed Smog‑Check stations (or newly‑established stations) that act as one‑year, at‑will subcontractors. BAR will set a uniform “not‑to‑exceed” price for these inspections; consumers pay stations directly while BAR reimburses the primary contractor for oversight expenses. The RFI runs through early June 2026 and will inform a future competitive RFP.
• Primary contractor manages SLAs, fraud monitoring, and possible camera‑based oversight of participating stations.
• Sub‑contracted stations must maintain BAR‑97 equipment (lease or service agreement), accept BAR‑97 work, and cannot exceed state‑set price caps.
• Contract term: four‑year base with up to six one‑year renewal options; sub‑contracts are one‑year renewable.
• No monetary values disclosed; pricing will be capped by BAR and reimbursement to the contractor will be expense‑based.