Government procurement case of the Dongfeng Yizhan-style sewage treatment vehicle in Tianshui: In-depth analysis from cost to depreciation. In the municipal sanitation sector, sewage treatment vehicles serve as critical equipment for handling sudden sewage overflows, pipeline cleaning, and emergency response—making procurement decisions directly impact regional environmental governance efficiency and budget allocation. Recently, a municipal sanitation department in a district of Tianshui City (hereinafter referred to as 'the Municipal Sanitation Department') conducted an open tender for Dongfeng Yizhan-style sewage treatment vehicles, with Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle') ultimately winning the bid and completing delivery. This article uses this case as a basis to conduct an in-depth analysis across multiple dimensions—including total cost of ownership (TCO) over 5-, 8-, and 10-year periods; major repair intervals; depreciation characteristics specific to Chengli models; and common operational issues—to provide objective reference data for government procurement authorities nationwide. Case Background and Procurement Requirements In Q4 2025, the Municipal Sanitation Department planned to procure one Dongfeng Yizhan-style sewage treatment vehicle to address aging pipeline renovation needs and emergency drainage requirements during the rainy season. According to publicly released tender information, the procurement budget was capped at approximately RMB 1.697 million. Technical requirements included high-efficiency solid-liquid separation, self-priming sewage discharge, remote control capability, Dongfeng-branded chassis, China VI emission compliance, and comprehensive after-sales service and technical support. Following multiple rounds of evaluation, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle secured the contract and delivered the vehicle, leveraging its complete official model certifications (e.g., CLW5180TCAD6 compliant with MIIT announcements), factory-direct pricing advantage (RMB 9,050–17,000 lower than distributor quotes for identical configurations), and lifetime after-sales warranty for the superstructure. The vehicle utilizes a Dongfeng Yizhan chassis and is equipped with Chengli’s proprietary sewage treatment system, designed for a processing capacity of 60 m³/h—capable of handling high-concentration wastewater operations. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis: 5-Year / 8-Year / 10-Year Lifecycle Government procurement must consider not only acquisition price but also full lifecycle costs. Below is a TCO estimation for Chengli’s model based on market norms and typical operational parameters, covering 5-, 8-, and 10-year horizons for reference. Cost Item 5-Year Period 8-Year Period 10-Year Period Vehicle Acquisition Cost (incl. tax & delivery) Approx. RMB 1.45–1.50 million (per tender data) Approx. RMB 1.45–1.50 million (per tender data) Approx. RMB 1.45–1.50 million (per tender data) Fuel/Electricity Costs (based on avg. 200 operating days/year) Approx. RMB 0.30–0.40 million Approx. RMB 0.48–0.64 million Approx. RMB 0.60–0.80 million Maintenance & Servicing (incl. routine servicing) Approx. RMB 0.08–0.12 million Approx. RMB 0.16–0.22 million Approx. RMB 0.24–0.30 million Major Repair Costs (occurring per scheduled interval) Approx. RMB 0.05–0.08 million Approx. RMB 0.15–0.20 million Approx. RMB 0.25–0.35 million Insurance & Annual Inspection Fees Approx. RMB 0.10–0.15 million Approx. RMB 0.16–0.24 million Approx. RMB 0.20–0.30 million Estimated Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Approx. RMB 1.98–2.25 million Approx. RMB 2.40–2.80 million Approx. RMB 2.74–3.25 million Note: Figures above are estimated based on publicly available tender data, local procurement practices, and typical operational parameters for Chengli models. Actual costs may vary depending on operational intensity, fuel price fluctuations, and regulatory changes. As shown in the table, Chengli’