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# Big Blue mechanics to clean up their acts and look spiffy doing it
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/big-blue-mechanics-to-clean-up-their-acts-and-look-spiffy-doing-it/
- Published: 2006-03-28T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:24:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*KEEPING IT CLEAN*

To prevent Big Blue Bus mechanics from tracking grease and grime into buses and break rooms, the City Council is expected tonight to enter into a contract with Aramark Uniform Services to provide new uniforms, towels and floor mats for Big Blue employees.

The contract would be for one year, with four additional one-year renewal options. The estimated annual cost is $40,000, which totals $200,000 over a five-year period, according to a report from city staff.

Big Blue Bus maintenance employees are required to wear uniforms, which are supplied by City Hall and approved by the transit maintenance manager along with any safety equipment, according to city staff. Shop towels are used by mechanics to keep clean when repairing and maintaining buses. Floor mats are used to prevent dirt and grime from being tracked into the auto shop or other areas.

City Hall began looking for a new provider of clean uniforms, towels and floor mats in September of 2005, according to a city staff report. Bids were received and read publicly on Oct. 18, 2005\. Bid forms were mailed to 19 vendors and notices were advertised in local publications. Five bids were received and evaluated based on pricing, annual usage and references. Aramark won the contract.

Three other companies offered lower prices, but they couldn’t comply with the city’s living wage ordinance, according to a city staff report.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 28, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/032806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)