School Bus Transportation Services

Background

The Needham Public Schools, located in Needham, Massachusetts, is seeking sealed bid proposals for School Bus Transportation Services. The primary goal of this contract is to provide reliable transportation for public and parochial students in grades K-12 within the Town of Needham. The contract will cover a three-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, with the option for two additional one-year extensions through June 30, 2031.

Work Details

The contractor will be responsible for providing comprehensive school bus transportation services which include: 1. Transportation of public school and parochial students between their homes and schools during the academic year (approximately 180 days), including regular routes and half-day services. 2. Late bus services as required. 3. Inter-school transportation for events such as 'Bump Up Day' for incoming Freshmen and other educational or athletic trips organized by the Needham School Department. 4. Provision of spare buses and drivers to replace any owner-operated buses as needed. 5. Morning dispatching services from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and afternoon dispatching from 1:30 PM to 4:15 PM daily. 6. Scheduled bus evacuations twice per year for each school in the district. 7. All necessary equipment including maintenance, operation, cleaning/disinfecting of buses, supervision, inspection, registration, licensing, and insurance compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Period of Performance

The contract will be performed over a three-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, with two optional extensions available until June 30, 2031.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed within the Town of Needham, Massachusetts.

Bidder Requirements

Bidders must provide evidence of satisfactory ability and experience to execute the requirements specified in this bid. They must comply with all bid submission requirements including providing a bid deposit of $5,000 in the form of a certified check or bond. Additionally, drivers must undergo background checks (CORI and SORI) and participate in random drug testing programs. The contractor must maintain adequate insurance coverage including general liability and workers' compensation as specified in the contract terms.