Evaluating alternative CNG paratransit vehicles. Mythaca Bus Company (MBC) provides service to eligible individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. MBC uses 14-passenger “body-on-chassis” (BOC) buses for this service, and they need to be replaced. MBC has asked vehicle suppliers to submit bids for BOC buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). As advertised in the request for bids, MBC staff examines the bids according to the criteria listed in the table below. Criteria 1 and 2 are rated subjectively, with a higher score being better. 
A. Use the Percentile Method to rank the bids. Using a spreadsheet is acceptable, in fact,

·        Show how the Percentile value for United's Cost/veh is computed.

·        Which vehicle should be chosen, according to the Percentile Method?

B. Use the Range Index Method to rank the bids.

·        Show how the Range Index value for United's Cost/veh is computed.

·        Which vehicle should be chosen, according to the Range Index Method?

C. Based on your experience with the two ranking methods, which method do you prefer? Why?