Attach 6 - Questions and Answers.pdf

SCHOOL BUS CONTRACT FY26 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FOR SAM.GOV – 29 April

PARKING

1. Can the Government confirm whether any on-base parking, vehicle staging, or administrative/office space will be made available for contractor use, or if the contractor should plan for fully off-base operations?

a. There will not be an area provided for the contractor to park and/or store the vehicles while not in use. Administrative & office operations will occur off-base at the contractors own facility. Areas for staging buses and/or appropriate vehicles will be available in the parking lot of the Dakota’s club prior to the scheduled pick-up times each day.

2. PWS 3.4.6 references an off-base parking area. Are there any government facilities (office, parking lot for drivers’ POVs and the school buses) that are provided for this contract?

a. Contractor will not be provided with off-base parking area for school buses and/or like vehicles, office space, or parking area for personal vehicles.

3. Will the contractor be permitted to park and stage buses on Ellsworth AFB, or must all parking and staging be arranged off-base?

a. Areas for staging buses and/or appropriate vehicles will be available in the parking lot of the Dakota’s club prior to the scheduled pick-up times each day.

SPECIAL NEEDS

1. Is there special needs transportation requirement with wheelchair lift buses and bus aides?

a. While there are no contract requirements for special needs transportation, school bus wheelchair accessibility via lifts or ramps, or school bus aides, it has been heavily recommended that a school bus aide be present on whichever vehicle transports the First & Second Grade students. This recommendation comes from the amount of disciplinary actions that occur with these students.

SCHOOL BUS CONTRACT FY26 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FOR SAM.GOV – 28 April

2. Are there any students with special needs or disabilities requiring ADA-accessible buses or any additional accommodations under this contract?

a. We are currently tracking that there are no students with special needs or disabilities that would require ADA-accessible buses or any further accommodations.

3. How many routes are you planning for next year? I know there are currently 4 routes running. Are there any SPED or special needs routes that we should plan for?

a. There are only three routes currently running for the contract. There are no plans to deviate from what is currently in place.

ROUTE

1. Can a route list be provided for us?

a. The school bus routes for Ellsworth AFB are pictured below on pages 5-7.

VIDEO STREAMING

1. PWS paragraph 1.7.2 requires installation of live HD video streaming equipment with a reception point in Building 104. What network or connectivity infrastructure currently exists in Building 104 to support this requirement? Will the government provide any network access or internet connectivity, or is all data connectivity — including cellular data plans — entirely the contractor's responsibility?

a. Building 104 contains working computers with a secure internet connection & a fully online application to remotely view the cameras or access archived footage from each camera. Internet, Cellular data plans, and video streaming for these camera systems have been a part of the operating cost of the buses.

2. Is there an existing video streaming system currently in place that a new contractor may integrate with, or must the system be designed and installed entirely from scratch?

a. The system that is utilized for the school bus cameras is TRANSPORTANT.

I am not fully aware whether this system is utilized specifically for the current contractor or if other contractors have access to this system.

3. Does the government have a specific approved vendor or system in mind for the HD live video streaming requirement, or is the contractor free to propose any commercially available compliant solution?

a. As long as the program meets the requirements of providing HD live video streaming as well as stores the recording of the streamed video that the CORs can access within a reasonable timeframe.

SECURITY

1. How long does the Tier 1 Childcare Background check process typically take at Ellsworth AFB once a contractor employee's information is submitted? Is there a standard processing timeline the government can share?

a. The Tier 1 Clearance for drivers and substitute-drivers typically can take up to 6 months to be cleared. However, only a Childcare background check should be required for each driver and substitute, which can take up to 3 months to complete.

2. How many vehicle passes and employee base access badges will the contractor typically need to obtain, and is there any cost or processing lead time associated with obtaining those credentials?

a. Each driver and substitute-driver will need to obtain a visitor pass that is valid for 1 year which will require a background check and criminal history check. No other badges or passes should be required.

INCUMBENT CONTRACT

1. Is there an incumbent contractor currently providing school bus services at Ellsworth AFB? If so, will there be a transition period, and if yes, what is the expected transition duration?

a. Yes, there is an incumbent contractor providing services at Ellsworth

AFB.

2. We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current/previous contract number?

a. This contract is not brand new and there is an incumbent contractor performing services at Ellsworth AFB. FA469021D0010

FUNDS

1. The solicitation notes that funds are not presently available for this contract. Is award anticipated prior to the school year start date of approximately 24 August 2026? In the event that award is delayed, will a bridge or interim period be authorized to ensure continuity of service?

a. Award is anticipated before the start date; however, if it is delayed there will be a contract action in place to ensure continuity.

2. The Price Schedule includes CLINs for the Base Year, Option Years 1 through 4, and a 6-Month Extension period per FAR Clause 52.217-8. Will offers be evaluated on the total contract value across all periods, or will evaluation be weighted toward specific years?

a. Offers will be evaluated on total value across all CLINs.

SUB CONTRACTORS

1. Can we put the sub-contractor work experience on the form since they will be the company performing to work? with the except of our registration detail in SAMGOV.

a. Yes, that is acceptable.