Government Procurement Case and Bid-Winning Solution Analysis for the National VI Dongfeng 3308 mm Wheelbase Sewage Treatment Vehicle in Ma'anshan City As part of a municipal sanitation department’s 2026 sanitation equipment upgrade plan in a district of Ma'anshan City, a batch of National VI emission-standard sewage treatment vehicles was procured to address urban aging pipeline desilting and emergency sewage treatment needs. The project budget was capped at approximately RMB 496,000. Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. ultimately delivered two sewage treatment vehicles based on the Dongfeng 3308 mm wheelbase chassis (variant model CLW5070GSSD6). This article uses this case as a benchmark to comprehensively analyze the selection logic between blue-plate and yellow-plate vehicles, compare operational cost differences, and highlight the core competitive advantages of Chengli’s bid-winning solution—providing practical references for similar procurement projects. I. Project Background and Selection Challenges: Blue-Plate vs. Yellow-Plate—How to Decide? The municipal sanitation department previously operated outdated National III emission-standard sewage treatment vehicles, which no longer met emission requirements and suffered from rising maintenance frequency—necessitating replacement of four units. Prior to tendering, the procurement team faced a critical decision: Should they select blue-plate vehicles operable with a Class C driver’s license, or yellow-plate vehicles requiring a Class B license? Based on actual operational scenario analysis: • Operating Area: Primarily urban backstreets, old residential communities, and industrial parks—characterized by narrow road widths and frequent entry/exit into confined alleys. • Operational Frequency: Average daily mileage ranges from 50–80 km; prolonged idling is required during sewage treatment operations. • Operators: Most existing drivers hold Class C1 licenses. Selecting yellow-plate vehicles would necessitate hiring additional personnel or training drivers to obtain Class B licenses—increasing labor costs. After comprehensive evaluation, blue-plate vehicles emerged as the preferred option. Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s blue-plate sewage treatment vehicle built on the Dongfeng 3308 mm wheelbase chassis features a curb weight under 4.5 tons and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) not exceeding 6 tons—fully compliant with blue-plate regulatory requirements—while utilizing a National VI Dongfeng chassis meeting local environmental admission standards. II. Comparative Operational Cost Analysis: Blue-Plate vs. Yellow-Plate Vehicles The table below compares five-year operational cost differences between blue-plate and yellow-plate vehicles, based on procurement data from this project and local industry norms: | Comparison Item | Blue-Plate Vehicle (Dongfeng 3308 mm wheelbase) | Yellow-Plate Vehicle (e.g., Dongfeng 3800 mm wheelbase) | |------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Vehicle Unit Price (per unit, based on public tender data) | Approx. RMB 98,000–115,000 | Approx. RMB 145,000–178,000 | | Required Driver’s License | Class C1 (standard passenger vehicle license) | Class B2 or higher (requires additional licensing or external hiring) | | Annual Inspection Fee (including downtime loss) | Approx. RMB 500/year, 1-day downtime | Approx. RMB 800/year, 2-day downtime | | Insurance Premium (Compulsory + Commercial) | Approx. RMB 3,000/year | Approx. RMB 5,000/year | | Fuel Consumption (mixed empty/load conditions) | Approx. 12–15 L/100 km | Approx. 18–22 L/100 km | | Total 5-Year Operational Cost (including purchase, insurance, annual inspection, fuel, and labor) | Approx. RMB 180,000–220,000/unit | Approx. RMB 300,000–350,000/unit | | Overall Advantages | Low cost, high maneuverability, easy operator adoption | Higher payload capacity, suitable for long-distance transport | As