BFCCPS IFB Bus Transportation 2026-2027 Amended 3-26.pdf

500 Financial Park in Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 | 508.541.3434 | BFCCPS.org

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLASSICAL CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL

INVITATION FOR BID (“IFB”)

PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, a regional school (“BFCCPS” or the “School”), invites sealed bids for Pupil Transportation Services, in accordance with the specifications enclosed herewith (the “Specifications”) for the 2026-2027 school year. This Invitation for Bid includes the following:

1. Regular transportation for all Regional BFCCPS students, consisting of approximately 900 Students, with an estimated ridership ranging from 450 to 650 students.

2. Field trips, extracurricular transportation per the attached schedule, see Bid

Form #2, Part B.

Bids will be received at BFCCPS, 500 Financial Park, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 until 1:00 PM on April 6, 2026 at which time accepted bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the BFCCPS Commons.

Beginning March 16, 2026, contract documents may be picked up at BFCCPS or requested by email to tchin@bfccps.org. The last day to pick up bid documents is April 5, 2026. All bids shall be submitted on the bid forms attached hereto. Bids submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

BFCCPS reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to award a contract to someone other than the lowest bidder if, in its opinion, the lowest bidder is not the lowest “responsive and responsible bidder" and to waive any informality in the bidding if it is in the public interest to do so. A responsible bidder has the capability to fulfill the contract requirements and the integrity and reliability to ensure good-faith performance. A responsive bidder has met all requirements and submitted all required documents for this solicitation. Prior performance will be considered in the determination of the bidder’s responsibility. Award of the contract is subject to the approval of the Executive Director, and shall be made subject to continuation of the school’s charter and mailto:tchin@bfccps.org

500 Financial Park in Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 | 508.541.3434 | BFCCPS.org appropriation of funds. Bids may be corrected or modified. or withdrawn prior to the time established for the opening of bids, only upon the receipt of a written request by the bidder to the Awarding Authority. No bidder may withdraw their bid for at least sixty

(60) days after the date set for the receipt of General Bids.

Heather Zolnowski, Executive Director

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Contents

BID INSTRUCTIONS

Receipt of Bids

Opening of Bids

Preparation and Submission of Bids

References

Interpretation of Contract Documents

Modification of Bids

Buses

Form of Bid

Fuel Adjustment Clause

Bid Checklist

Pre-Bid Conference

Safety Programs

Accident Report

Evidence of Insurability and Indemnification

Statement of Non-Discrimination in Employment

SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE OF WORK

GENERAL

FLEET SIZE AND CONFIGURATION

EQUIPMENT

SPARE VEHICLES

GARAGING

OPERATION

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOLS: LATE ARRIVALS

DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS AND DRIVING RULES

DISPATCHING AND FIELD SERVICE

REPORTS

PAYMENTS

FORFEITURE PROVISION

CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY

PERFORMANCE BOND

BREACH OF CONTRACT

INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLASSICAL CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL

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BID INSTRUCTIONS

Receipt of Bids

All bids shall be due at BFCCPS, Attention Timothy Chin, 500 Financial Park, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 by 1:00 PM on April 6, 2026, (the “Bid Closing”) No bids received after the time established for Bid Closing will be considered, regardless of the cause.

Opening of Bids

Bids received by the above date and time will be publicly opened and read aloud at BFCCPS, at 1:10 p.m.

on April 6, 2026. The official time for bid opening will be determined by the official clock located at BFCCPS, 500 Financial Park, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 (the “Bid Opening.”)

If, at the scheduled Bid Opening, BFCCPS is closed due to an unforeseen event, including but not limited to weather, fire, snow, ice, or wind, or a building evacuation, the Bid Opening will be postponed until 11:30 AM on the next normal business day. Bids will be accepted until that date and time.

Preparation and Submission of Bids

To be considered responsive, all bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes clearly marked as “PUPIL TRANSPORTATION BID,” bearing on it the permanent name and business address of the bidder. If forwarded by mail, the sealed envelope containing the proposal and marked as directed above must be enclosed in another envelope addressed as specified in these instructions, preferably by registered mail.

No responsibility will be attached to the Awarding Authority for early opening of a bid not properly addressed and identified. The bid price and signature shall be in ink and in longhand. Each bidder must complete all fields in the proposal and complete all forms. If a Contractor will not charge for an item on the bid form, s/he shall complete the bid sheet with a zero ("0") for that item. All Addenda (if any) must be signed, dated, and included in the sealed bid.

References

Bidders must be able to demonstrate their ability to provide the requested services through references and, upon request, other relevant information. All bids must include a list of at least three (3) school bus transportation references, with at least one (1) being from school districts of similar enrollment or school bus usage (within 20%) for 600 students to which the bidder provided service consisting of at least seven buses on a daily basis within the past three years. Included should be the name of the contact person, address, and telephone number. (Bid Form #5)

Interpretation of Contract Documents

All interpretations of Bid Documents, the Contract, and supplemental instructions will be in the form of written addenda, which, if issued, will be made available to bidders not later than two days prior to the date fixed on the opening of the bids at the office of Timothy Chin, Director of School Operations, at

BFCCPS.

The failure of any bidder to receive any such addendum or interpretation shall not relieve any bidder from any obligation under its bid as submitted. All addenda so issued shall become part of the contract documents and shall be specifically incorporated therein by reference.

Modification of Bids

No modification of any bid will be considered by the Awarding Authority unless received in writing prior to the time established for the opening of bids.

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Buses

To be considered responsive, all bids must include a list of the buses proposed to be used by model, registration number, mileage, and age. (Bid Form #4)

Form of Bid

To be considered responsive, every bid shall be submitted on the bid forms shown herein, copies of which may be obtained from the Awarding Authority (Bid Forms 1 – 9). Bids submitted in any other manner will not be considered.

Fuel Adjustment Clause

To be considered responsive, all bids shall include a response to the Fuel Adjustment Clause (Bid Form #7).

Bid Checklist

To be considered responsive, each bidder will complete, sign, and enclose a copy of the Bid Checklist, shown herein, in the sealed bid, copies of which may be obtained from the Awarding Authority. (Bid Form #9)

Pre-Bid Conference There will not be a pre-bid conference unless specifically requested by the Awarding Authority.

Safety Programs

To be considered responsive, each bidder shall submit a detailed description (date/time/agenda/who conducts and their qualifications, etc.) of all training and safety programs in which drivers participate annually. (Bid Form #7)

Accident Report

To be considered responsive, each bidder shall provide a copy of the company’s accident record for the past three (3) years with the bid.

Evidence of Insurability and Indemnification

To be considered responsive and responsible, every bid submitted shall be accompanied by a certificate, statement, or other evidence of insurability indicating an ability to comply with the insurance requirements listed in Appendix A to these Instructions. The Awarding Authority expects the successful bidder to produce a Certificate of Insurance at the time the contract is signed, showing compliance with the required insurance coverage, including Workers’ Compensation, and naming BFCCPS as an additional insured.

Statement of Non-Discrimination in Employment

To be considered responsive and responsible, every bid submitted shall be accompanied by a Statement of Non-Discrimination in Employment. All bidders on this Contract shall be required to comply with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151B. The successful bidder shall also be required to comply with the provisions of the Non- Discrimination statute. (Bid Form #6)

SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE OF WORK

This contract shall include furnishing scheduled, necessary, and required transportation services for all designated schoolchildren of BFCCPS. In general, these services include, but are not limited to the following: transportation equipment, maintenance of equipment, garaging of equipment, operation of buses, operation of services, supervision, inspection, vehicle evacuation drills, registration, licensing, insurance, safety instruction, route planning, and conformance to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the cities and towns served by BFCCPS.

Excluded from the school's transportation needs are bus transportation services provided under a separate contract for certain special-needs students.

GENERAL

Definitions: In the Specifications, any reference to the “Trustees” shall refer to the Board of Trustees of BFCCPS. Any reference to “Contractor” or “Bidder” shall refer to the entity contracted directly by BFCCPS, which will fulfill the Scope of Work.

Contract Period: The contract period shall be for one (1) year, commencing on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027. Pricing for two (2) additional option years has been solicited with the understanding that any extension of the original term shall necessitate obtaining updated prevailing wages; exercise of any or all option year(s) or additional years is solely at the discretion of BFCCPS.

Each contract year includes a school year, which consists of at least one hundred eighty (180) days, normally falling in the period from August 15 to June 30 of the following year. The exact days on which transportation shall be required and furnished will be designated by the School. If school should be closed for part or all of a regularly scheduled school day for whatever reasons, including but not limited to snowfall, the BFCCPS or its designee will promptly notify the transportation company of the decision. The contract shall be subject to continued renewal of the BFCCPS charter and funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Routes and Schedules: Routes and schedules are to conform to class schedules and shall be determined by BFCCPS. Each of the BFCCPS buses is responsible for one AM trip and one PM trip.

The following is the current year’s schedule and will be the approximate schedule for arrival and pick up at schools for regular transportation:

M, T, W, Th, F Half Days

Grades K to 5 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM 8:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Grades 6 to 8 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Changes to Routes and Schedules: Changes in the above schedule will be made as necessitated by school programming or scheduling, i.e., school conference days or other half-days of school or staggered elementary openings if necessary. Changes in schedule shall also be made as necessitated by the Education Reform Act of 1993 and shall specifically include time and learning requirements.

During the 2025-2026 school year, 71 and 77 passenger-capacity buses were used to transport students enrolled in grades K to 8. It is not the intent of BFCCPS to indicate that it plans to make changes on a regular basis, but rather to inform bidders that the School may make changes to school schedules, budgets, and enrollments that will be reflected in its transportation requirements.

The School reserves the right to rearrange, reassign, and adjust routes and schedules when it is in the interests of the Awarding Authority to do so. Any such change shall be consistent with the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws. The Contractor shall have up to seven

(7) calendar days' written notice from BFCCPS to adjust the bus fleet accordingly.

Field Trips: Field trips will be requested as necessary by the Head of School or their designee of BFCCPS. The estimated number to be expected is 30 field trips per school year.

Field trip, or extra-curricular transportation requests will be priced in accordance with the prices in the table in Attachment 1 to Bid Form #2 Pricing for the corresponding destination and contract year of the request. If the requested destination does not appear in the table, a mutually agreed-upon price will be determined by first interpolating among nearby destinations, then by interpolating among destinations with a similar travel mileage. Charges shall include only those miles travelled while actually transporting classes or groups requiring such transportation. No charges for miles traveled to or from the garage will be accepted.

Other General Terms: The Contractor must submit an Emergency Plan, within sixty (60) days of notification of award of the contract, to cope with a major loss of the bus fleet and/or drivers as a result of vandalism, a fire, labor problems, etc. The plan shall include sources of replacement for buses and drivers, lead times, and adjustments to service.

At least twice each school year, all BFCCPS students shall participate in emergency bus evacuation drills on location. At the beginning of the school year, drills shall be scheduled, established, and published in consultation with the Contractor and the Head of School.

The Contractor shall provide buses and drivers at no cost to the School for the evacuation drills.

The Contractor must have a telephone connection through which the School may quickly contact the owner and/or its agent. The phone number(s) must be submitted upon award of the contract. The Contractor shall appear for conferences with the Executive Director or their designee when requested.

The Contractor shall provide written reports of bus counts showing the number of riders on each bus and each trip, to be prepared on two consecutive days each month, or more often as required by the Executive Director or their designee. These reports are to be compiled by the Contractor and submitted to the above office during the second week of the month, or within 2 days of the request.

Nothing in this bid will preclude the BFCCPS from using other vehicles or services for transportation purposes when deemed to be in the best interest of the students or the School. The Contractor recognizes and agrees that it shall not have a right to compensation for the Schools’ use of other vehicles or services in such circumstances. This would in no way release the Contractor from its obligations to transport all students as designated for transportation by BFCCPS.

Prevailing Wages Rates. The Respondent will price their bid to reflect Prevailing Wage Rates as Applied to

School Bus Contracts under M.G.L. c.71, §7A when applicable, and Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Sheets.

Wage rates paid by the Respondent under this Contract must be in accordance with the rates as determined by the Commission of Labor and Industries under M.G.L. c.71, §7A. The Respondent shall cause a copy of said schedule to be kept posted in a conspicuous place in each facility operated by the Respondent during the life of the Contract. The Prevailing Wages attached hereto shall remain in effect for the initial term of the contract. Any extension of the original term would trigger a requirement to obtain updated wage rates.

M.G.L. c. 151B. All bidders on this Contract shall be required to comply with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151B. The successful bidder shall also be required to comply with the provisions of the Non-Discrimination statute.

Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise Plan. The School encourages the Contractor to follow the principles outlined in Executive Order 526, Order Regarding Non- Discrimination, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action.

Equality: The vendor may furnish an item equal to that named or described in the Specifications, and the naming of any commercial name, trademark, or other identification shall not be construed to exclude any item or manufacturer not mentioned by name or as limiting competition, but shall establish a standard of equality only.

An item shall be considered equal if, in the sole discretion of the Awarding Authority, it is equal in:

● quality, durability, appearance, strength, and design.

● it will perform at least equally the function imposed by the general design for the purpose being contracted for or the material being purchased.

● it conforms in a substantial way, even with deviations, to the detailed requirements for the item in the specifications.

FLEET SIZE AND CONFIGURATION

Actual fleet size and configuration for regularly scheduled transportation will be determined by the School to meet the 2026-2027 school year needs. Based on the prior school year needs, a minimum of eight (8) buses are estimated for the 2026-2027 school year for grades K-8.

During the term of this contract, BFCCPS reserves the right to ask the Contractor to furnish additional buses to meet the needs of the School. The Contractor agrees to furnish the additional buses and to charge the price per bus as shown on Bid Form #2 if notification is given 30 days prior to the start of the increase in service.

Any buses added to the fleet because of any such change must meet all existing specifications and be no older than the oldest bus in regular service under this contract. The current contract rates in effect at the time of the change notification shall apply for any buses added to the fleet. All changes in routes are to be approved by the Executive Director or their designee.

During the term of this contract, the School reserves the right to ask the Contractor to reduce the number of buses if fiscal considerations, enrollment, or a school reorganization warrant it. The Contractor agrees to reduce their annual charges by the contract price per bus as shown on Bid Form #2 if notification is given 30 days prior to the start of the reduction in service.

EQUIPMENT

During the lifetime of the contract, including any option years which may be executed, no vehicle (bus or chassis) shall be more than six years old, nor have an original odometer reading of more than one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) miles.

Buses shall conform to the following specification:

● 71 or 77-passenger (depending on the size required for each route)

All school buses must comply with current federal and Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations. All buses shall be constructed and maintained to conform to all applicable laws, regulations, and rules of the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Public Utilities. The School wishes to emphasize its desire to reduce smoke from buses by requiring buses used under this contract to undergo emissions testing, by requiring buses used under this contract to meet the stringent California emission standards set for model year 2025 and beyond, and by requiring all buses used under this contract to use ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law and DEP regulations.

The attention of potential bidders is directed to the following sections of Chapter 90 of the

General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

1. Section 1 Definitions.

2. Section 1A School Bus Registration.

3. Section 7A Inspection of School Buses.

4. Section 7B Requirements as to operation of school buses.

5. Section 7C Minimum standards for construction and equipment of school buses.

6. Section 7CC Transportation of special needs children.

7. Section 7D Application of Sec. 7B; additional equipment.

8. Section 8A Operators of school buses; licensing, training instructors.

9. Section 8A 1/2 Operators of school buses under section 7D; licensing exceptions.

10. Section 14 Precautions for safety.

11. Section 16A Stopped motor vehicles.

12. Section 16B Idling of motor vehicle engine on school property.

13. Section 17 Speed limits in operation of school buses.

BFCCPS notes the provisions of MGL Chapter 90, Section 16A, and Mass DEP regulation 310 CMR

7.11(1)(b). Both limit vehicle idling to no more than five minutes for the uses proposed under this contract. BFCCPS wishes to emphasize its desire to reduce smoke from buses by requiring buses used under this contract to be idled for as little time as possible. The Contractor will include training in how to eliminate unnecessary idling in its annual training program for drivers, and periodically remind drivers of the importance of the Mass DEP idling reduction program. The Contractor will be responsible for any fines or penalties levied as a result of a failure to comply with MGL Chapter 90, Section 16A and 16B or Mass DEP regulation 310 CMR 7.11(1)(b).

BFCCPS and/or its employees shall be held harmless in the event of damage to or malfunction of any vehicle used within the scope of this contract.

No bus shall be used that does not have a sign bearing the words "School Bus" attached to the front and rear of the vehicle, as required by MGL Chapter 90, Section 7B.

A sign reading “Bus Empty” shall be placed on the back window of the bus at the end of each trip segment following a check of all seats to ensure no child has remained on the bus.

Written reports of conditions of buses, as determined at the time of inspection during the first week of January and August, shall be submitted to the Executive Director or their designee.

All vehicles used in the execution of a contract for school transportation shall be equipped with safety mud and snow tires on the rear or driving wheels from November 1st through March 31st of each year.

All buses used during the length of this contract must be equipped with an operable two-way radio and/or cellular telephone. If cellular phones are used, they must be on every bus on every run, and the telephones must be operative and turned on during all routes. All buses in the fleet must be equipped with flame-retardant seating and factory-installed seat belts where applicable.

All buses used during the length of this contract must be equipped with video cameras to record the activities within the bus from at least three vantage points. The Contractor will provide video recording equipment to record activities on all buses.

Route identification markings shall be prominently affixed to the side of all regularly scheduled buses and maintained so that students can easily identify buses from the bus stop.

On or before the last day of August and December of each year, the Contractor must provide a list showing license plate numbers and registration certificate numbers as issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The list shall also include the bus numbers and the cell phone numbers of each bus. This list will be submitted to the Executive Director or their designee.

There shall be no substitution of buses without the permission of the Executive Director or their designee for the duration of the contract period, except in the case of emergency breakdown, and then only for a period not exceeding one (1) week. All substitute buses shall be subject to all contract requirements.

SPARE VEHICLES

The successful bidder will retain at least ten percent (but not less than one) of the fully operational buses to be held in reserve at the local base of operations during the time its scheduled buses are in operation.

In the event that service is interrupted on any route for any reason, the Contractor must use a comparable substitute vehicle in order to serve this contract daily with the proper number of vehicles.

Such buses are to replace buses that are out of service for maintenance, repair, or inspection only. Any school bus used to replace a breakdown must be able to reach the point of breakdown within a reasonable period, no longer than 20 (twenty) minutes.

GARAGING

The successful bidder shall be responsible for the storage and garaging of all buses and for paying all vehicle excise taxes.

OPERATION

All buses shall be cleaned by sweeping and vacuum cleaning daily and shall be maintained free of noxious odors and poisonous gases at all times. The bus interior shall be washed with a mixture of water, detergent, and disinfectant during each school vacation period. The interior and exterior surfaces of all windows shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition. Under no circumstances shall buses be operated when the operator's vision is impaired by conditions of the glass surface to the point where the safety of schoolchildren is placed in jeopardy.

The schedule of route operation shall be maintained in such a manner that schoolchildren awaiting bus arrival shall not be required to wait longer than ten (10) minutes beyond the time of the schedule of the stop. The bus shall not delay at a bus stop longer than necessary for schoolchildren to board the bus.

Delay at bus stops to permit the boarding of schoolchildren not present during the time the bus is being loaded shall not be permitted. Students shall be picked up at the schools within ten (10) minutes after closing time. Changes in school hours may be instituted by the school authorities and shall not affect the contract price except as additional buses or time are required.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOLS: LATE ARRIVALS

Each instance that a bus transporting children to school arrives at school after the scheduled drop-off or pick-up time noted in Section 3 General of SPECIFICATIONS shall be considered a late arrival. Written notification of a late arrival will be available at the BFCCPS Main Office for pickup daily by the Contractor.

A bus will not be charged with a late arrival if the BFCCPS determines, upon receipt of a written report from the Contractor, that the lateness is due to problems beyond the Contractor's control. If the Contractor fails to file a report in writing by the next school day, the Contractor shall automatically be charged with the late arrival. A bus shall not be charged with more than one (1) late arrival per shift.

If a bus has more than two (2) late arrivals during a period of five (5) consecutive school days, or more than four (4) late arrivals during a period of twenty (20) consecutive school days, the BFCCPS Business Office reserves the right to deduct from the payments due the Contractor one-half the charge for the total daily service for each late arrival. If a bus has more than five (5) late arrivals in a period of twenty

(20) consecutive school days, the BFCCPS Business Office reserves the right to deduct from payments due the Contractor the full charge for the total daily service provided by that bus for each late arrival and require the Contractor to submit a remedial plan.

It is the intent of the School District to ensure that students are picked up at bus stops each morning and dropped off at school, as well as picked up at school each afternoon and dropped off at bus stops each afternoon in a timely, efficient, and safe manner. It is expected that drivers will communicate at once with the Contractor and the Contractor in turn will notify the Head of School or their designee if there is an issue that may affect the schedule in any way.

The Contractor agrees to maintain an accurate master clock in the base of operations and will ensure that each driver will have and will use a dependable timepiece that is to be set at regular intervals.

DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS AND DRIVING RULES

The Contractor shall employ as drivers persons over the age of twenty-one, with a current license to operate school buses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of good character, physically fit, and known to be safe, temperate, courteous, and experienced drivers. A Driver’s license shall not expire within 30 days of the start of school or during the school year without a renewal appointment being scheduled.

Contractor Expectations under this contract:

The Contractor shall arrange a compulsory Driver-Training and Safety Program, which drivers must pass, before they are allowed to drive under the BFCCPS contract. The Contractor must submit to BFCCPS, by August 1 annually, the program description and by September 15 or within 30 days for a new driver to BFCCPS, certification that all drivers have successfully completed the course.

The content of the course, at a minimum, must include:

● The course shall deal with student interaction, including an orientation and special instructions regarding student behavior and control, training each school year in student behavior standards and appropriate measures to be taken if problems occur.

● Safe driving habits, proper use of two-way radios and cellular telephones, and emergency procedures in accordance with the General Laws and any regulation of any agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

● On-the-road training shall include the actual routes to which the driver will be assigned.

● The Contractor shall provide drivers with a copy of their schedule (Driver's Directions) and a map.

● All drivers must retake and pass the course annually. New drivers hired during the year are under the same obligations.

To the extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall determine whether any individual who is or will be employed as a school bus driver for the School is a sex offender (as defined in G.L.c.6, § 178C), who is required to register with the sex offender registry (as described in G.L.c.6, § 178D), and any such individual shall not be eligible for employment as a school bus driver for the School. The Contractor shall be responsible for the interviewing, qualification reviews, verifications of prior employment, and criminal history checks of all individuals who will be employed as a school bus driver for the School. The vendor awarded a contract pursuant to this solicitation shall submit forms to the bus transporting students.

School bus drivers must be screened by means of a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) search and by means of Fingerprinting, the results of which show no reason to prohibit contact with children of school age. The BFCCPS reserves the right to prohibit employees of the Contractor from driving any school bus transporting BFCCPS students or being on school property based on the findings of a criminal records check and as determined by the Executive Director.

The Contractor shall provide the Executive Director with a list of all school bus operators giving their full name, home address, and school bus driver's license number, if requested. The Contractor shall provide the compensation rate for each driver under this contract. This is to ensure that drivers are paid competitively with the area's Prevailing Wage Rate required of communities in the surrounding area.

To the maximum extent possible, the same driver and the same bus must be used on the same morning and the same afternoon run to provide continuity and familiarity for students.

Substitute Drivers shall be pre-qualified for the routes driven, to the maximum extent possible, at no extra cost to the BFCCPS. This means that the Contractor shall operate with an available reserve of “qualified” substitute drivers. Such qualification shall be in effect as for regular drivers, including being familiar with the route(s) to be driven and knowing the roads and their conditions over the course of the route(s) to be driven. Substitute drivers shall be familiar with the current bus routes, school locations, starting times, and the roads. Drivers may not change routes without the authorization of the Contractor, who is directed by the Executive Director or her designee.

Driver Expectations:

1) Drivers are responsible for timely renewal of Bus Driver Licenses or provide notification to Contractor of date renewal appointment is made and completed within 30 days of expiration of driver’s license.

Drivers (including substitutes) shall be required to attend

a) Annual compulsory Driver-Training and Safety Program;

b) August Bus Driver Meeting opening school;

c) Health and safety training, when scheduled, is offered to BFCCPS staff and required School employees;

d) Periodic BFCCPS School conducted meetings; and

e) Drivers must participate in and comply with all training standards set forth in the bid specifications.

2) All drivers will maintain on their bus a route listing of all bus stops and a student roster of students riding their bus.

3) The Contractor/Drivers shall not permit rude, abusive, or careless behavior or language by drivers toward students, school personnel, caregivers, or the public.

4) Drivers must complete a sufficient number of dry runs to ensure familiarity with the routes, so that drivers will be able to complete the routes within the scheduled times.

5) The Drivers shall maintain order among schoolchildren within the school bus. Drivers shall report schoolchildren disobeying their instructions to their School contact and complete forms as required.

Completed forms shall be given to the school principal for disciplinary action in accordance with the School’s Transportation Policies. In no case shall a student be put off the bus at a place other than the student's regular bus stop or at school. Nothing herein shall prevent an operator from reprimanding a pupil for action that might cause harm to her/himself and/or others.

6) It shall be the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the safety of schoolchildren is not jeopardized during boarding and disembarking. The bus shall remain stationary until children have safely crossed the street in the direction of their stops.

7) Drivers shall report complaints by schoolchildren or caregivers of schoolchildren to the Head of

School or their designee promptly, within one day.

8) The drivers shall place the safety of schoolchildren above any other consideration at all times and shall, under no circumstances, leave the bus unattended at any time while it is occupied.

9) Courteous, careful, firm drivers who can remain in complete control of students in their vehicles are required. Drivers must be able to communicate clear instructions to students in their vehicles in order to maintain control and safety. The School reserves the right for the Executive Director or the Head of School to interview any driver and, if for reasonable cause, require the Contractor to transfer this person to another route or cease using the driver within the scope of this contract.

10)No passengers are to be permitted on any vehicle while in use except for school students or authorized personnel of the BFCCPS or the contractor.

11)Drivers will wear seatbelts at all times.

12)Smoking, expectorating or chewing of tobacco shall not be permitted on buses at any time. The use of profane or immoral words or language shall not be permitted whether children are on the bus or not. Bus radios shall be turned off while students are on board. All buses shall have NO Smoking Signs posted conspicuously.

13)BFCCPS reserves the right to demand a change of drivers at any time without written notice.

DISPATCHING AND FIELD SERVICE

The Contractor must employ a qualified, full-time non-driving Transportation Manager acceptable to the School who serves as the Safety Officer for the contract. The Transportation Manager must be on duty while any bus is on the road including to and from school field trips and events. The Transportation Manager shall be equipped with a personal vehicle, two-way radio and/or cellular telephone. The Transportation Manager should be accessible by drivers and Contractor’s office at all times during the times when service to BFCCPS is being provided. Additionally, there should be a designee identified when the Transportation Manager is unavailable.

It is the Transportation Manager’s duty to maintain communication between the school and bus drivers while the buses are in operation. In the event of a failure of communication such that a bus cannot communicate directly with the school, the bus driver shall immediately notify the Transportation Manager. The Transportation Manager shall then immediately contact the school, and shall act to maintain communication between the bus and the school by conveying messages back and forth by telephone or bus radio.

The Transportation Manager's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

● Conferring with the BFCCPS and staff regarding schedules, bus stops, routes, ridership, student conduct, accidents, vandalism, and other safety matters and emergencies. The Transportation manager shall report in person to the BFCCPS contact as requested.

● Investigating complaints, including service irregularities, student behavioral problems, vandalism, and bus driver incidents. In each case, an initial report must be submitted in writing by the next school day to the BFCCPS contact.

● Ensuring compliance with BFCCPS accident procedures, including filing a preliminary report with the BFCCPS contact the same day as the accident (including names of all passengers and where the injured were taken), followed by a final written report within twenty-four (24) hours.

● Visiting schools to monitor compliance with bus schedules and conferring in person on a regular basis with school representatives. Scheduling and overseeing all school bus evacuation drills.

● Spot checking driver adherence to schedules, stops, and safe driving practices, including riding a particular route at the request of the BFCCPS contact.

● Spot-checking driver compliance with the Mass DEP engine idling reduction policy.

● Working with the BFCCPS and Police Department as needed on safety issues, including traffic congestion and parking problems.

● Conducting safety and training seminars for all drivers in preparation for the new school year.

REPORTS

The Contractor or operator shall make written reports to the Executive Director within twenty- four (24) hours of all accidents. In the event the accident involves injury or death of a schoolchild, an oral report shall be made at once by telephone, after notification of the police, and the rendering of assistance to the injured.

At the end of each contract year, or upon request, the Contractor shall submit a formal accident report summary from its insurance company covering the entire contract from its inception. The insurance company report shall include the date of each accident, the driver's name, property damage, bodily injuries, preventable or non-preventable, claims, and status.

PAYMENTS

Payments will coincide with the schedule of warrants established by the BFCCPS and followed by the School Department. All payments will be for services rendered. Monthly invoices will list the number of buses by day and the charges to be applied. Any additional charges will be noted separately by date, bus or route number, and rate, with the reason to be stated.

All invoices for Field Trips and Events shall be separate and must include: BFCCPS Purchase Order Number and Originator; Date of Service; Number of Buses; Starting Point, destination, and BFCCPS contact person and telephone; total mileage, rates, and cost; total waiting time, rate, and cost; driver’s name and number; and total bill.

There shall be no charges for days when service is not provided for any reason, including, but not limited to, closings for school vacations, holidays, or cancellations due to inclement weather, power outages, building conditions, etc. BFCCPS shall notify the Contractor immediately of any cancellation. The Contractor is also expected to monitor the media for “no school” announcements and weather conditions.

For the purposes of transportation, BFCCPS falls under the jurisdiction of BFCCPS’ calendar, including cancellations; therefore, when BFCCPS is closed, transportation shall be cancelled.

In the event of delayed openings and emergency early-outs, due to inclement weather, power outages, building conditions, etc., the Contractor shall maintain direct contact with its Transportation Manager and drivers in order to implement revised transportation schedules in cooperation with the BFCCPS Main Office. The Contractor will respond to an early release, emergency evacuation or similar short-notice transportation requirement by providing three buses within 60 minutes of notification by the Executive Director or their designee, and a full complement of buses (currently eight) within 90 minutes. The standard bus-per-day rate shall apply for all delayed openings and emergencies.

Special programs reserve the right to negotiate with the Contractor for special rates to meet particular needs. Prices, however, shall not exceed contracted bus-per-day, hourly and field trip rates.

No payment shall be made for the use of any vehicle that is declared unfit for use (bald tires, faulty brakes, fuel or exhaust leaks) by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

No assignment or sub-letting of contract or work, nor assignment of money due or to become due, shall be made without written consent of the School.

FORFEITURE PROVISION

If the Contractor is unable to furnish transportation for any given day, the Contractor shall reimburse the School for actual costs required for furnishing alternate transportation.

CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY

Failure to perform when such failure is due to a force majeure event, such as an Act of God, public enemy, earthquake, flood, or other similar causes beyond the control of the Contractor or the School, shall be good and sufficient reason for excuse from contractual liability.

PERFORMANCE BOND

The Contractor will, within ten (10) days of the contract award and by September 1 of each year of the contract, provide a Performance Bond in a form that is satisfactory to BFCCPS Counsel in the amount of 100% of the contract price for one year of regular transportation service, and keep that bond current for all contract and option years (if executed). The School reserves the right to waive this requirement, in whole or in part, if deemed in the best interest of the School. However, the cost shall be included for bid purposes.

BREACH OF CONTRACT

In the case of failure on the part of the Contractor to execute the work as provided by the Contract, the School reserves the right to terminate the Contract, and to secure performance of contractual duties through another Contractor, and the School shall collect from the Contractor any difference in price as a result of such failure on the part of the Contractor. Exercise of the rights herein specified shall not impair or affect the School’s right to recover the damages for breach of contract, either by suit on the contract or on the bond securing it.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

The Contractor will obtain and maintain, throughout the life of the contract, all insurance requirements listed in APPENDIX A.

The Contractor shall agree to indemnify, defend, and hold BFCCPS harmless from any and all claims arising out of the performance of this contract.

SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

The successful bidder will be asked to supply documentation, including but not limited to profit/loss statements, balance sheets, bank reference, certified financial statements, and certificates of condition, for the most recent two-year financial reporting period to determine with reasonable assurance the ability of the bidder to furnish uninterrupted busing service for the duration of the contract.

Bus Equipment and Services Addendum

1. Regular Route Services:

The Respondent will provide pupil transportation to/from the following communities: Bellingham, Blackstone, Holliston, Hopedale, Mendon, Medway, Milford, Millis, Millville, Norfolk, Plainville, Upton, Walpole, Wrentham.

All times are approximate and are subject to change by BFCCPS.

Subsequent to approval by BFCCPS of the Respondent’s recommended routing plan, the Respondent shall make no substantial changes thereto without prior notice to and approval of BFCCPS. After approval of the recommended routing plan by BFCCPS, BFCCPS shall notify each student prior to the start of each school year of the applicable pick-up times and shall notify each student as to any subsequent change in time of pick-up or route, as approved by BFCCPS, which will affect any student.

The Respondent and BFCCPS shall mutually agree on a method of notification to caregivers and students of scheduled pick-up times prior to the start of each school year, and the costs for notification shall be shared equally by the parties.

The Respondent agrees to work in cooperation with BFCCPS to establish the most advantageous routing plan for student safety, within the guidelines set forth in this Contract. The Respondent agrees to promptly, courteously, and continuously address any complaints or concerns brought to its attention by caregivers, guardians, family members, BFCCPS staff, or other parties representing the interests of any students and notify BFCCPS.

The Respondent agrees to work with School designees regarding necessary Individual Education Plan (IEP) or ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) transportation requirements.

The Respondent will provide pupil transportation services in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Federal Government, State of Massachusetts, Town of Franklin, and BFCCPS. In addition, the Respondent will require all employees to follow the School policy and administrative guidelines pertaining to the reporting and handling of student discipline incidents related to such transportation. No persons other than students, supervisors, company employees, BFCCPS employees, approved chaperones, or Drivers in training are to ride the buses designated for this contract without the prior written approval of BFCCPS.

The successful bidder will provide adequate facilities equipped with radio communications, phone, and facsimile machines that are readily accessible. Communications are available between BFCCPS, buses on regular BFCCPS routes, and the Respondent’s base of operations at all times of operation.

The Respondent’s office hours, including telephone coverage, will start 30 minutes prior to the earliest dispatch time and 30 minutes following the return of the last bus in the afternoon. A separate telephone and dispatch service for immediate contact and emergency use will be available during the hours BFCCPS is in session.

The Respondent must be willing to appear at conferences with BFCCPS as necessary and as requested.

The Respondent recognizes that additional buses may be required or a decrease in the number of buses may be required during the term of this Agreement. If additional buses are necessary, these anticipated additional buses will be added to the existing bus fleet within a reasonable time period after receiving notification to do so.

2. School Buses & Related Equipment

Equipment and Supplies: The Respondent will provide all school buses, related equipment and supplies necessary to provide transportation for all students in compliance with this agreement. All buses supplied by The Respondent will meet or exceed the standards established by the laws and regulations of the State of Massachusetts.

i. The Respondent must certify in writing that each school bus is built to fully meet or exceed all requirements of the State of Massachusetts minimum standard for school buses and the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the requirements of statutes that may pertain at all times during the life of this contract.

ii. All buses must be heated and provided with proper ventilation. The temperature of the bus interior shall be maintained at a minimum temperature of fifty-five

(55) degrees when the bus is occupied. Windows that are to be used for ventilation must be in good working order. All buses must be equipped with stop arms, wiper blades and defrosters in good working order.

iii. Said buses shall be kept clean and in sanitary condition and open to examination by BFCCPS. All buses shall be cleaned by sweeping or vacuuming daily, and shall be maintained free of noxious odors and poisonous gases at all times.

iv. All buses must carry side signage with the logo and name “Benjamin Franklin

Classical Charter Public School” plus other applicable legal markings prominently displayed on the chassis or displayed prominently in the first window upon entry. Bus Chassis and bodies, when assembled and prior to delivery, must comply with all safety regulations, including the Massachusetts Department of

Education, Massachusetts School Bus Minimum Standards as adopted by and with the consent of the Massachusetts Executive Director of Highway Safety pursuant to M.G.L.; all Federal safety standards, and any other pertinent provisions of law which are in effect at the date of construction. The Respondent will provide clean buses in sufficient numbers to efficiently transport all assigned students eligible for pupil transportation. Buses will be of sufficient capacity to permit every pupil to be seated. Buses will have a manufacturer's rated capacity of 25 passengers or greater unless prior approval is granted. No standees are permitted on any vehicle. All buses will be equipped with operable two-way radios, ensuring continuous, direct, compatible communication with dispatch personnel. The Respondent will provide a list of the buses being placed into service to include make, model, size, and license number.

v. During periods of extreme cold, defined as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or less, The

Respondent is expected to provide “early engine startup” service whenever contracted school buses have not been operating for 4 or more consecutive days.

vi. BFCCPS may, with written notice, require the Respondent to discontinue the use of any vehicle which it judges to be hazardous, mechanically defective, or subject to frequent breakdowns or…