ITB Bolton BOETransportation issued 12.5.25.pdf

SG-22996071v7

BOLTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INVITATION TO BID

DECEMBER 5, 2025

The Bolton Board of Education (hereinafter, the “Board”) invites the submission of bids from qualified bus transportation companies for the furnishing of student transportation services for the Bolton Public Schools (the “District”) for a five (5) year contract beginning on July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2031.

The Board is requesting bids for the provision of a range of student transportation services including but not limited to: public home-to-school (both in and out of town), certain identified special education routes, including pre-kindergarten transportation (half-day), summer (extended school year) transportation; and extra-curricular, including field and sports trips (excluding certain services). NOTE: The Board is not requesting bids for out-of-district special education transportation services.

Key Dates:

Bid Questions Due December 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Responses to Bid Questions/Addendum Deadline

January 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Bid Due Date/Opening January 16, 2026 9:00 a.m.

Bid Documents: Bid Documents may be obtained at the District’s Office (located at 72 Brandy Street, Bolton, Connecticut 06043) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., excluding school holidays.

Bid Due Date/Opening: Bids will be accepted until January 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (the “Bid Due Date”) at which time the bids submitted in accordance with the Bid Documents will be publicly opened and read aloud. Each Bid must be submitted in duplicate copies and include an electronic copy (flash drive) in a sealed envelope and clearly labeled on the outside of the envelope with the Bidder’s name, the Bid number and the title of the Bid in the upper left-hand corner, and shall be submitted to:

Kusal Huynh Bolton Board of Education 72 Brandy Street Bolton, Connecticut 06043

Bids shall be completed and delivered in accordance with all of the requirements of the Bid Documents no later than the Bid Due Date. No emailed or faxed Bids will be accepted. Please refer to the Bid Documents for other important dates and submission requirements.

The Board reserves the right to amend or withdraw this Invitation to Bid for any reason, to accept or reject any or all Bids, to waive any informalities or non-material deficiencies in any Bid, and to make such award (or make no award) of a contract in connection with this Invitation to Bid all as determined by the Board, in its discretion, to be in the best interest of the District. A Bid may be rejected for irregularities of any kind, including without limitation, alteration of form, additions not called for, conditional proposals, and incomplete Bids. A Bid may also be rejected if, in the opinion of the Board, the Bid does not meet the standard of quality established by the Bidding Documents. Any or all Bids may be rejected if there is any reason to believe that collusion exists among two or more Bidders. The foregoing provisions are for illustrative purposes and shall in no way limit the right of Board to reject any and all Bids, in whole or in part. No Bid will be accepted or opened that is not submitted in compliance with the requirements of the Bid Documents.

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. Bids shall be received from Bidders for the furnishing of all vehicles, vehicle operators, equipment, technology and services necessary to perform the transportation services in accordance with the Equipment Requirements described in Schedule 1 (the “Equipment Requirements”) and the terms and conditions contained in the Form of Contract attached hereto as Schedule 2 (the “Form of Contract”) attached hereto.

2. The transportation services requested in this Invitation to Bid include all vehicles, vehicle operators, mileage, equipment, technology and services to provide the transportation services described herein, including transporting students to public schools located outside of the Town of Bolton, and shall also incorporate any other labor, materials, supplies, overhead, taxes and profit of the Bidder, and therefore, the bid prices submitted in accordance with the Pricing Schedule attached as Appendix B (the “Bid Price”) shall be “all-inclusive.” To avoid any doubt, Bid prices shall include all of the Equipment Requirements and the terms, conditions, requirements, obligations, provisions and particulars described in the Form of Contract. Further, the Board shall not be charged or otherwise penalized for any circumstances in which the schedule for any school designated by the Board to receive Transportation Services in accordance with this Agreement has a schedule which differs from that of the Board.

3. The successful Bidder shall execute a Contract substantially in the Form of Contract attached hereto in Schedule 2 (the “Contract”). Each Bidder should be thoroughly familiar with all the terms, conditions, requirements, obligations, provisions and particulars in this Invitation to Bid, including, without limitation, Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. The Contract may contain such other further additional provisions that the Board deems necessary. The period of the

Contract shall be for a five (5) year period commencing July 1, 2026 and terminating June 30, 2031 (the “Term”).

4. When a Bid is executed and submitted by Bidder, the Bidder acknowledges it has full knowledge of and agrees with the general specifications, conditions and requirements described in this Invitation to Bid any amendments made thereto.

5. The Bidder shall submit its Bid in sealed packaging marked with the Bidder's name, the Bid number and the title of the Bid in the upper left-hand corner.

6. The Bids shall be submitted no later than January 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Bids received later than such date and time will not be considered and will be returned unopened.

7. The Bidder shall submit two (2) copies and one (1) electronic copy (flash drive) of the Bid in accordance with the submission procedures set forth herein.

8. The successful Bidder shall be required to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and policies of federal, state, and local governments and the contents of any transportation manual or other rules, regulations and policies which the Bolton Board of Education might publish (collectively, the “Laws & Rules”). It shall be the responsibility of the successful Bidder to ensure that all personnel employed are familiar with the Laws & Rules.

9. Each Bidder is responsible for ensuring that it obtains the information it requires to make a responsive and responsible bid that allows it to execute the Contract if it is awarded the Contract. Information requests are to be made in writing to Kusal Huynh via email at bids@boltonct.org prior to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025. Responses to inquiries will also be by Addendum, as set forth in this Invitation to Bid. A written request does not in any way diminish a Bidder’s responsibility to get the information it needs to make a Bid. All communications from prospective Bidders to the Board must be made in writing to the Board’s contact person indicated above.

10. Purchases made by the Board are exempt from the payment of federal excise taxes, as well as State of Connecticut sales tax. Such taxes should not be included in the Bid Price.

11. Bids which qualify, amend, limit, or omit any of the Bid Requirements shall not be considered. Failure of the Bid to include all of the information requested under the section entitled “Alternates” and the corresponding “Alternates” section in the Pricing Schedule, which shall be completed in the form attached hereto as Appendix B, may result in the Board’s determination that the Bid is not responsive.

ROUTE INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED. REVIEW OF ALL EXISTING

CONDITIONS IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BIDDER. The Board’s current schools and bell times are detailed in Schedule 3. THE CURRENT NUMBER

OF VEHICLES AND SCHOOLS AND BELL TIMES MAY CHANGE FROM

TIME-TO-TIME THROUGHOUT THE TERM AND ARE LISTED HERE FOR

INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Current routes are available on the Bolton Board of Education website.

As of the date hereof, the Board currently estimates that it needs the following vehicles for regular home-to-school transportation:

Type of Vehicle Quantity

Type I – (71-77 passenger bus) 7 Type II Vans – (24-26 passenger bus with at least two (2) wheelchair stations) with a wheelchair lift

12. The successful Bidder shall, after being awarded the Contract, and before doing any work, furnish certificates of insurance, including automobile property damage liability, public liability and worker’s compensation insurance in the amounts outlined in the Form of Contract. Copies of insurance certificates shall be required at the beginning of each school year. EACH BID PACKAGE SHOULD INCLUDE

COPIES OF THE BIDDER’S EXISTING INSURANCE POLICIES.

13. The Board may make such investigation as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Bidder to discharge the Contract, if awarded. The Bidder shall furnish the Board with all such information and data as may be required for this purpose.

14. One or more Bidders may be asked to provide additional information, to meet with the Board to discuss their Bid, or to address such other issues as deemed important by the Board.

15. The District also reserves the right to interview and negotiate with one or more Bidders after the bids are opened. The District reserves to itself the right to be the sole judge of which Bid best meets the needs of the District. The District has the right to modify the final Contract based upon negotiations with bidders. Prior to identifying the successful Bidder and during the Term, the District reserves the right to negotiate changes in the scope and commensurate costs of the required services as well as changes in the scope and/or cost of the enhancements offered by the Bidder to the District.

Any modification to this Invitation to Bid, or clarification thereof, will be made by Addendum. Responses to inquiries will also be by Addendum. Any Addendum will be posted on the Bolton Board of Education’s website on or before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. Each Bidder shall confirm prior to submitting its Bid that it has received each and every Addendum issued by the Board related to this Invitation to Bid.

16. The Board also reserves the right to discuss the scope of services and specifications with one or more Bidders and to make such modifications as the Board in its sole discretion, deems to be in the District’s best interest.

17. The Board reserves the right to amend or withdraw this Invitation to Bid for any reason whatsoever. The District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Bids, in whole or in part, and to make such awards, in whole or in part, including accepting a Bid or part of a bid, that in its judgment will be in the best interest of the District, even if such Bid is not the lowest dollar-cost proposal. The District reserves the right to waive any informalities, irregularities, technical defects, non-material deficiencies or procedural irregularities in any Bid submission. No Bid will be accepted or opened that is not submitted in compliance with the requirements of the Bid Documents.

18. The Bid shall be signed by the person or persons legally authorized to bind the Bidder to the Contract.

19. Bids shall be mailed or delivered (no facsimile or email Bids will be accepted) to:

Kusal Huynh Bolton Board of Education 72 Brandy Street Bolton, Connecticut 06043

BID REQUIREMENTS

1. The Bid shall be submitted, at a minimum, with all of the information described in this Invitation to Bid, including the Appendices and Schedules attached hereto. By submitting a Bid, each Bidder hereby agrees to provide the Required Equipment described in Schedule 1 and to execute a final Contract with the Board in the Form of Contract.

2. The Bidder is prohibited from withdrawing a Bid for at least ninety (90) days from the Bid Due Date, and as such, all Bid Prices quoted by Bidders shall be firm prices for at least ninety (90) days from the Bid Due Date. After such initial ninety (90) day period, if the Bidder has not been awarded the Contractor, the Bidder has the ability to withdraw its Bid and such withdrawal shall be effective only upon the Board’s receipt of written notice of the same from the Bidder. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the Contract has been awarded to a Bidder, such Bidder’s Bid Price shall be firm prior to the execution of the Contract and then during the Term.

3. All Bidders shall read and execute the Non-Discrimination Memorandum, in the form of Appendix A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

4. Each Bidder shall read, complete and execute the "Pricing Schedule" in the form of Appendix B.

5. All Bidders shall read and complete the reference check form attached as Appendix C (“Reference Check”). The Bidder, by submitting a Bid, hereby authorizes the Board or its authorized agent to contact such references listed on the Reference Check without obtaining any other consent from the Bidder. Such Reference Check is incorporated into and made a part of each Bid.

6. In addition to those districts listed on the Reference Check, each Bidder shall provide a list of school districts for which the Bidder currently provides transportation services pursuant to a signed, written transportation contract.

7. All Bidder shall read, complete and execute the Non-Collusion Statement in the form attached as Appendix D in which the Bidder shall declare that its Bid is made without any connection with any other person or entity making any Bid for the same services, that it is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud and that no person acting for or employed by the Board is directly or indirectly interested in the Bid or in the services to which it relates, or in any portion of the profits therefrom.

8. All Bidders shall show evidence to the Board of satisfactory financial and moral responsibility to perform the Contract throughout the Term. All Bidders shall provide data to indicate its financial condition, including audited financial statements for the last three (3) years presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A description of any bankruptcy filings by the Bidder, any related entities, or principal(s) of the Bidder within the last seven (7) years shall also be submitted. Please note that financial information will be, to the extent permitted by law, kept confidential if provided in a separate envelope marked “confidential”.

9. Each Bidder shall provide evidence that sufficiently demonstrates it is able, if it required by the Board, to furnish a performance bond, with surety, for the benefit of the Board, as obligee, which such bond would ensure the Bidder’s full and faithful performance of all of the obligations under the Contract, and which bond shall be in a penal sum amount not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the annual price under the Contract. The sufficiency of any evidence so submitted shall be determined in good faith by the Board, in the Board’s sole and exclusive discretion. If a surety has ever denied a Bidder’s request to issue a performance bond on behalf of the Bidder, as bond principal, the Bidder shall provide in its Bid detailed information describing the facts and circumstances relating to such request, the grounds for the surety’s denial, and any resolution.

10. All Bidders shall disclose all pending and threatened litigation in which such Bidder is named (either suing or being sued), as well as any judgments and/or liens in which it is involved.

11. Each Bidder shall provide detail on the Bidder’s programs and efforts to secure a qualified number of competent vehicle operators to meet the needs of the Board.

Each Bidder will include a statement of its requirements for operators of vehicles which are in addition to any requirements enumerated in federal, state or local law, rules or regulations.

12. Each Bidder will include a statement/description relative to its safety program, as well as any specialized training for new and experienced drivers and bus monitors;

accident reduction programs, vehicle maintenance and inspection programs;

computerized fleet maintenance, and management and routing systems.

13. Each Bidder shall provide to the Board its ownership information. The Bid shall indicate whether the Bidder is a sole proprietor, a partnership, a corporation, or other legal entity, and shall be signed by the person or persons legally authorized to bind the Bidder to the Contract. Each Bidder shall also provide the information regarding how long the organization has been engaged in school/special education transportation services.

14. Each Bidder shall provide a list of key management personnel and their resumes.

Each Bidder shall describe each key manager’s experience with student transportation. The successful Bidder shall, prior to the execution of the Contract, provide the name of the contact person required in the Contract and the names of supervisors who will manage the daily transportation operations for the Board, including regular and emergency phone numbers to contact the Contractor.

15. All Vehicles shall be parked in the lot situated in the Town of Bolton provided by the Board. The current lot is located at: Center School, 2 Notch Road, Bolton. The Contractor shall accept the lot on an ‘as is’ basis. The Contractor shall also be responsible for obtaining and maintaining a trailer on the lot from which it will operate its dispatch. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for the security and the safety and the maintenance of the vehicles, the lot, and the Contractor provided trailer. The Contractor further agrees to place an electric meter at the parcel in the Contractor's name and to assume all costs incurred. Except as set forth in the Contract, Contractor shall make no improvements to said lot without the prior written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld for any reason.

16. Each Bidder shall provide a description of the Bidder’s policies and protocols regarding employee health screening.

17. Each Bidder shall provide information about its program to introduce and implement zero-emission vehicles in accordance with the Connecticut Clean Air Act, Public Act 22-25, even though under current law, the Contract does not require zero-emission vehicles during the Term.

18. Each Bidder shall provide information about its proposed fleet and its fleet replacement program. Each Bidder shall also provide a report from Department of Motor Vehicles showing out of service vehicle percentage from most recent completed school year.

19. Each Bidder shall provide proof of a computer program designed for the Bolton transportation grid to be used by the Contractor during the Term. The Board reserves the right to use its own software.

20. The transportation services requested in this Invitation to Bid include all vehicles, vehicle operators, equipment, fuel, technology and services required to complete the transportation services, and shall also incorporate any other labor, materials, supplies, overhead, taxes and profit of the Bidder, and the bid prices shall be “all-inclusive.” Bid prices shall also include video camera technology (to be placed on the inside and on the outside of each bus), with audio capture compatibility, as well as other required equipment and technology as set forth in the Equipment Requirements and the additional requirements set forth in Form of Contract.

21. Each Bidder is required to familiarize themselves with all requirements, locations, travel distances and traffic conditions prior to submitting a Bid.

22. The Contract may not be assigned or transferred without the written consent of the Board, which such consent shall be granted or withheld in the Board’s sole and absolute discretion.

23. A Bid submitted by a Bidder who intends to act as an intermediary contractor between two (2) or more parties in negotiating an agreement will not be accepted;

that is, brokered contracts will not be permitted.

24. It will be assumed that all terms of this Invitation to Bid, including the Equipment Requirements and the contractual terms contained in the Form of Contract, will be complied with and will be considered as part of the Bid, unless an exception is expressly indicated. Bidders shall provide full details of any proposed exceptions to this Invitation to Bid or proposed modifications to the Equipment Requirements, and/or the contractual terms contained in the Form of Contract. Details of any such exceptions or modifications shall be submitted separately and attached to the Bidder’s Bid.

25. Information submitted in accordance with the Invitation to Bid is subject to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, including the provisions of Section 1- 210 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

26. Neither the Board, nor the Town of Bolton, shall be liable for any costs incurred by a Bidder or potential Bidder prior to the Board’s execution of a final Contract in for transportation services.

27. News releases pertaining to this Invitation to Bid or the services to which it relates will not be made without prior written approval and then only in coordination with the Board.

28. The work and services described in this Invitation to Bid includes the performance of activities directly affecting the safety of students served by the Board and the public generally. The Board may make any investigation necessary to determine the ability of a Bidder to fulfill the services required in the Contract, and the Bidder shall furnish the Board with all such information for this purpose as the Board may request. If, in the sole opinion of the Board, the Bidder has not provided a responsive Bid or the Bidder is not properly experienced, qualified or responsible to perform any of the obligations of the services required in the Form of Contract, the District reserves the right to reject its Bid.

ALTERNATES

In order to be a responsive Bid, each Bid must include the following information:

1. CONTRACTOR PROVISION OF PERFORMANCE BOND (ALTERNATE

#1):

The Board may, at its option, require the successful Bidder to furnish a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the annual value of each year of the Contract.

Should the Board make such an election, (1) the Board will notify the successful Bidder and (2) the successful Bidder shall secure the Performance Bond and charge the amounts described under Alternate #1 in the Pricing Schedule, the form of which is attached as Appendix B.

2. CONTRACTOR PROVISION OF PERFORMANCE BOND (ALTERNATE

#2):

The Board may, at its option, require the successful Bidder to furnish a Performance Bond for fifty percent (50%) of the annual value of each year of the Contract. Should the Board make such an election, (1) the Board will notify the successful Bidder and

(2) the successful Bidder shall secure the Performance Bond and charge the amounts described under Alternate #2 in the Pricing Schedule, the form of which is attached as Appendix B.

3. PARENT VIEWING APPLICATION (ALTERNATE #3):

The Board may, at its option, require the successful Bidder to supply Automatic Vehicle Locator (“AVL”) software (parent app) utilizing the GPS and integrated with the routing software system. The AVL must be web-based and provide real-time vehicle tracking, direct access to student and driver information from the routing software, and flexible reporting capabilities. The system must have the capability to provide each school building with the ability to see what Vehicles are on the property, and to be able to see the estimated time of arrival on all Vehicles inbound to a school. No incremental charges for the use of the app may be assessed to the Board or the parents/guardians. Should the Board make such an election, (1) the Board will notify the successful Bidder and (2) the successful Bidder shall supply such parent application and charge the amounts described under Alternate #3 in the Pricing Schedule, the form of which is attached as Appendix B.

AWARD

1. The Board will endeavor to make an award within ninety (90) days after the Bid Due Date, and all Bid Prices quoted by Bidders shall be firm during that ninety (90) day time period. The Board further reserves the right to make awards following this initial ninety (90) day period to any Bidder who has not properly withdrawn its Bid in accordance with the terms of this Invitation to Bid.

2. The Board or designee will evaluate every written Bid submitted and reserves the right to be the sole judge as to which Bid (if any) meets the needs of the District and whether the Bid was responsive to this Invitation to Bid.

3. During the Term, the Board reserves the right to negotiate changes in the scope and commensurate costs of the required services as well as changes in the scope and/or cost of the enhancements offered by the Bidder to the Board.

4. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, given the nature of the services, the Board reserves the right to award the Contract to one or more Bidder or multiple Bidders based on a consideration of all relevant factors, as identified herein, and a determination of the best interests of the Board. Routes which are awarded will be subject to the rates set forth in the successful Bid.

5. The Board has the right to reject any and all Bids in whole or in part based on a review of Bids relative to the noted selection criteria herein. Any or all Bids may be rejected if there is any reason to believe that collusion exists among the Bidders.

Individual Bids may be rejected for irregularities of any kind, including, without limitation, alteration of form, additions not called for, conditional Bids, incomplete bids and unexplained erasures. The foregoing provisions are for illustrative purposes and shall in no way limit the right of the Board to reject any and all Bids.

The Board retains the right to waive any formality or procedural irregularities in the Bids received. Any remaining bidders may be requested to provide additional information or revised Bids to the Board for further consideration.

6. The Board reserves the right to consider cost, experience, and service in the student transportation field and/or country or region, as well as the financial responsibility and specific qualifications set out herein of the prospective Bidder, in considering Bids and awarding the Contract.

APPENDIX A

NON-DISCRIMINATION MEMORANDUM

BOLTON BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Bolton Board of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and will not transact business with firms that are not in compliance with all federal and state statutes and executive orders pertaining to non-discrimination.

In order to have the Bidder’s Bid considered, the Bidder is required to complete and return the following Statement of Policy with its Bid.

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure continuing compliance with this policy throughout the Term of the Contract, if awarded.

STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is the employment policy of the ____________________________ [Name of Bidder] that there shall be no discrimination against anyone on the grounds prohibited by federal Connecticut law. The _________ [Name of Bidder] further represents that is it in full compliance with the Bolton Board of Education non-discrimination policy that can be found at:

In addition, this firm is in full compliance with the letter and intent of the various equal employment opportunities and civil rights statutes noted above.

Date _____________________ Signed ____________________

(Name/Title of Company Officer)

Telephone Street Address

City/State

APPENDIX B

PRICING SCHEDULE

The undersigned, having become thoroughly familiar with the terms and conditions affecting the performance and costs of the transportation services, hereby proposes and agrees to fully perform the transportation services within the time stated and in strict accordance with the terms contained in this Invitation to Bid, including furnishing any and all labor and materials, and to do all of the transportation services required to complete said transportation services in accordance with the terms contained in this Invitation to Bid for the following sum of money:

2026-

2027-

2028-

2029-

2030-

Daily Buses- Regular School Year Type I – (71-77 passengers) maximum of four (4) hours per day, per vehicle

% increase

Type II with a wheel-chair lift – at least two (2) wheelchair stations, maximum of four (4) hours per day, per vehicle

% increase

Vans (5-8 passengers) – maximum of three (3) hours per day, per vehicle*

% increase

Extended School Year/Summer $ $ $ $ $ Type I - (72 Passenger School Bus)

Athletic / Field Trip $ $ $ $ $ Active Drive Time (per mile)** Waiting time (hourly)** % increase

*Any such vans shall be at the sole discretion of the Board for special education transportation, including pre-kindergarten (half day).

**To avoid any doubt, Athletic and Field Trips shall be charged in the following manner:

active drive time between the bus lot and the final destination shall be charged on a per/mile basis and all waiting times while the bus is at the athletic or field trip destination shall be charged at an hourly rate (which shall be rounded up to the nearest fifteen (15) minute increments). For example, if a bus traveled 10 miles each way to a sports game and the bus waiting for 2 hours while the game was happening, the Board would be charged 20 miles at the per mileage rate PLUS 2 hours of waiting time at the hourly rate.

ALTERNATES:

Contractor provision of 100% Performance Bond (Alternate #1):

2026-

2027-

2028-

2029-

2030-

Yearly Price for 100% Performance Bond Alternate #1

Contractor provision of 50% Performance Bond (Alternate #2):

2026-

2027-

2028-

2029-

2030-

Yearly Price for 50% Performance Bond Alternate #2

Parent Viewing Application (Alternate #3):

2026-

2027-

2028-

2029-

2030-

Yearly Price for Parent Viewing Application Alternate #3

When preparing a Bid, the Bidder should be aware of the following:

The Board reserves the right to change, delete, add, or otherwise modify such transportation services, and the bidder shall be prepared for, able to conform to and agree that such described transportation services will be provided under the Contract. The above prices are based on a per day per vehicle basis, on each day such vehicle is used to

Signed:_______________________________

Bidder’s Name

By: _______________________________ Name

Street City/State/Zip

Date

APPENDIX C

REFERENCE CHECK FORM

Company submitting bid: _______________________________________

List at least 3 Connecticut school districts with contact information with which you currently or have had (within the past 2 years) a student transportation contract for regular education transportation. If applicable, include districts in Tolland County.

APPENDIX D

NON-COLLUSION STATEMENT

The undersigned hereby declares that this Bid is made without any connection with any other person or person making any Bid for the same items, that it is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud and that no person acting for or employed by the Board is directly or indirectly interested in the Bid or in the services to which it relates, or in any portion of the profits therefrom.

Company Name

Signed: _________________________

By: _______________________________ Name Title Street City/State Zip

Date

STATE OF CONNECTICUT:

: ss

COUNTY OF :

Subscribed and Sworn to before me on this _____ day of __________ 202_.

Notary Public

SCHEDULE 1

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

VEHICLES

All Vehicles shall be no more than seven (7) years old as of July 1, 2026. During the Term the successful Bidder shall use Vehicles of that age or newer.

GPS

All Type I vehicles and Type II vehicles used by the successful Bidder to provide transportation services shall be equipped with a global positioning system (“GPS”). The GPS system shall be subject to approval by the Board.

CHILD CHECK MATE SYSTEM

All Type I, Type II vehicles, and vans must be equipped with a “Child Check Mate System” or equivalent, as approved by the Board, to ensure that no child remains on such vehicle at the end of each route.

CAMERAS

All Type I and Type II vehicles used in the performance of the contract must be equipped with two (2) video cameras at locations identified by the Board. The successful bidder shall ensure that video cameras with audio capture feature are operational on each vehicle used by the successful bidder to provide transportation services. The cameras must be placed in locations approved by the Board, with camera coverage set to record entryway, driver, and front, middle and rear seats. The successful bidder shall implement a camera maintenance program to ensure that cameras are operational and functioning properly, including video and audio recording, at all times.

SCHEDULE 2

FORM OF CONTRACT

SG-23037536v6

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AGREEMENT (hereinafter, the “Agreement”) is made as of July 1, 2026, and entered into by and between the BOLTON BOARD OF EDUCATION, (hereinafter, the “Board”) and ______________________., which has local offices located at _____________________ (hereinafter, the “Contractor”). The Board and the Contractor may be referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Board is desirous of entering into a contract with the Contractor to provide for the transportation of Students (as defined herein) to and from the schools operated by the Bolton Public Schools (the “District”) or otherwise designated by the Board or the District for a term of five (5) years, commencing on July 1, 2026 and terminating on June 30, 2031, unless terminated sooner as provided for herein; and

WHEREAS, the Board issued that certain Request for Proposal for transportation services (the “RFP”) and the Contractor submitted a formal response to the RFP (the “Contractor’s Bid”)(Both the RFP and the Contractor’s Bid are attached as Exhibit A); and

WHEREAS, the Board voted to authorize the Superintendent of the District (the “Superintendent”) or designee to negotiate an agreement with the Contractor in accordance with that certain RFP and the Contractor’s response to said RFP; and

WHEREAS, the Contractor is willing, capable, and ready to furnish the regular and special education transportation services requested by the Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

1. GENERAL TERMS

1.1 The term of this Agreement shall continue for five (5) years, commencing on July 1, 2026 and terminating on June 30, 2031 (the “Term”), unless terminated early in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement may be extended by mutual written agreement for two additional one-year periods, provided the negotiation process for each extension including the negotiation of new economic terms shall be completed on or before December 31st of the preceding school year.

For the avoidance of doubt, the first optional extension year shall be July 1, 2030 through June 30, 2031, and the second optional extension year shall be July 1, 2031 through June 30, 2032.

1.2 The Contractor agrees that it shall transport to and from the schools in the District and other institutions as designated by the Board such resident children as may be designated by the Board (the “Students”), and at such locations, days, times and hours as designated by the Board, each of which may change from time-to-time, with prior written notice to the Contractor, and shall make such stops and travel along such routes as are designated by the Board, including, but not limited to, transportation relating to public home-to-school, certain identified special education routes, including pre-kindergarten (half-day), summer (extended school year) and Special Trips (as defined herein), and transportation of certain Students residing in the Town of Bolton (the “Town) (collectively, “Transportation Services”). The Contractor specifically represents that it shall not refuse any request by the Board for Transportation Services, including any request for special education transportation services. Should the Contractor have particular concerns about safety with regard to any requested service, the Parties agree to collaborate in good faith to promote the safety of all individuals on a Vehicle (as defined herein), but in no case may the Contractor refuse a request for services within the scope of this Agreement. The Parties hereby agree and understand that the Contractor does not have the exclusive right to provide special education routes or Special Trips.

1.3 The Board agrees to pay, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Contractor the compensation set forth in Exhibit B, provided that the Transportation Services are furnished in accordance with this Agreement. The Parties agree that no other payments shall be made to the Contractor who shall furnish all of the Vehicles, Vehicle Operators (as defined herein), labor, materials, equipment, permits and licenses and other facilities necessary to provide the transportation and service required, including the staff and other services necessary for the proper performance of the Contractor's duties. The Board may withhold payments for services when the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that such services do not meet the requirements of this Agreement. Payments for such services shall not be made until the Contractor has made corrections which are acceptable to the Board, provided, however, that the District shall pay all undisputed amounts due to the Contractor pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. Further, the Board shall not be charged or otherwise penalized for any circumstances in which the schedule for any school designated by the Board to receive Transportation Services in accordance with this Agreement has a schedule which differs from that of the Board.

1.4 The Contractors shall procure all applicable permits, licenses, and approval necessary for the performance of the Transportation Services under this Agreement.

2. VEHICLES.

2.1 The Contractor agrees to the following conditions regarding buses and any other vehicles used to perform the Transportation Services, including Type I vehicles and Type II vehicles with at least two (2) wheelchair stations and a wheelchair lift any and all “spare” vehicles (collectively, the “Vehicles”):

2.1.1 The Parties acknowledge that the Board’s transportation needs shall vary during the Term. Vehicles shall be furnished in such number as deemed necessary by the Board for the transportation of Students, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The Contractor shall have additional Vehicles available for Special Trips, as requested by the Board.

In addition to the aforementioned Vehicles required for Special Trips, at all times during the Term, the Contractor shall have available spare Vehicles in a minimum amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the active fleet by Vehicle type, without additional charge to the Board. Under no circumstances will buses be shared by other towns, unless the Superintendent has given prior written approval.

2.1.2 All Vehicles and other equipment utilized in providing Transportation Services, shall be constructed, equipped, operated, and maintained in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and policies of federal, state, and local governments pertaining to school transportation Vehicles and applicable Board policies. It shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all personnel employed are familiar with, and follow, all of the applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.

2.1.3 Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, all Vehicles used hereunder must be stored, registered and taxed in the Town and shall be stored at the lot provided by the Board (which may be referred to herein as the “bus lot”). As of the date of this Agreement, the location of the bus lot shall be Center School, 2 Notch Road, Bolton, Connecticut and the Board shall provide the bus lot at no cost to the Contractor. All Vehicles shall be parked at the bus lot when not in use for the Transportation Services.

Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, the Contractor shall service the Vehicles in the Town of Bolton. The Board will neither reimburse the Contractor for operating time, nor provide fuel, for any deadhead travel outside of the Town for maintenance or repairs. The Contractor shall accept the bus lot on an ‘as is’ basis. The Contractor shall also be responsible for obtaining and maintaining a trailer at the bus lot from which it will operate its dispatch. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for the security and the safety and the maintenance of the Vehicles, the bus lot and the Contractor provided trailer. The Contractor further agrees to place an electric meter at the parcel in the Contractor's name and to assume all costs incurred. Except as set forth in this Agreement, the Contractor shall make no improvements to the bus lot without the prior written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld for any reason.

2.1.4 The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for all repairs to Vehicles caused by vandalism. The Board will cooperate with the Contractor in investigations to identify the vandals.

2.1.5 The Contractor shall provide the Board, by August 10th prior to the start of each school year, and updated as necessary, a list that contains descriptions of each of the Vehicles to be used by the Contractor in the performance of the Transportation Services, including, the year of manufacture, make of the chassis, make of the body, seating capacity, and

V.I.N. number.

There shall be no substitution of Vehicles used in the Transportation Services without permission of the District, with the exception of Vehicles used in an emergency breakdown for required maintenance and then only for a period of time not exceeding ten (10) consecutive days. The Contractor shall provide any other information regarding the Vehicles requested by the Board.

2.1.6 All Vehicles are to be numbered by the Contractor as designated by the Board, and such numbers are to be clearly visible on the outside of the Vehicle. All Vehicles shall be marked on both sides “Bolton Public Schools” in lettering of a size and style conforming to the requirements of the State Department of Motor Vehicles, unless otherwise agreed to by the Board in writing.

2.1.7 All Vehicles used to provide the Transportation Services shall be no more than seven (7) years old at the beginning of any contract year.

2.1.8 The Parties acknowledge that the Transportation Services shall vary during the Term. If, during the Term, there is a sufficient increase or decrease in the number of Students who require additional or fewer Vehicles and/or Vehicle Operators, the Superintendent, with the approval of the Board, shall request the Contractor to supply the necessary Vehicles and Vehicle Operators.

2.1.9 All Vehicles must be maintained to ensure proper starting, good visibility and safe operation during all types of weather. The Contractor must display a copy of the most recent State Motor Vehicle Inspection for each Vehicle.

2.1.10 The Contractor or its agent shall inspect all Vehicles daily before the first run in the morning. This checklist shall be a maintained, written record and shall be promptly provided to the Board upon its request. The inspection shall include, but not be limited to, checking the brakes, lights, tires, oil, gas, radiators, heaters, and all other safety equipment on the Vehicle. Snow accumulation shall be removed from all Vehicles prior to any run. Records of the inspection shall be kept on a check-off list prepared by the Contractor and approved by the Board.

2.1.11 A schedule for servicing Vehicles shall be maintained and shall include:

oil, grease, tires, battery, brakes and all safety equipment. A copy of the service schedule form shall be promptly furnished to the Board upon request.

2.1.12 The Contractor is required to perform appropriate and necessary maintenance on all Vehicles used to provide the Transportation Services in accordance with this Agreement.

2.1.13 The interior and exterior of all Vehicles and equipment utilized in the provisions of the Transportation Services must be kept clean and in good repair and working order, as reasonably determined by the District. The interior of all Vehicles must be kept at comfortable temperatures while transporting Students. No Vehicles shall be used to provide Transportation Services for special education Students unless it has operational air conditioning.

2.1.14 Any and all Vehicles shall be made available for inspection by the District or its designee upon request.

2.1.15 Each Vehicle must be equipped with a two-way radio or comparable communication devices (e.g., cellular phones).

2.1.16 The Contractor shall grant access to a bus tracking application and the District Dashboard.

2.1.17 All Vehicles use on the provision of the Transportation Services shall be equipped with digital video systems equipped with both audio capture feature and hard drive retention in accordance with the requirements herein. Specifically, all Type I Vehicles and all Type II Vehicles used in the performance of this Agreement must be equipped with at least two (2) video cameras which shall be placed at locations inside/outside of the Vehicle as directed by the Board. The Contractor shall ensure that video cameras with audio capture feature are operational on each Vehicle used by the Contractor to provide Transportation Services in accordance with this Agreement. All cameras must be placed in locations approved by the Board, with camera coverage set to record entryway, driver, and front, middle and rear seats. The Contractor shall implement a camera maintenance program to ensure that cameras are operational and functioning properly, including video and audio recording, at all times. To avoid any doubt, the mandate to have operational cameras in all Vehicles is fundamental to the Contractor’s performance and any failure to have operational cameras shall be considered a material breach of this Agreement.

2.1.18 The Contractor shall provide the Board with camera output as soon as practicable after a request is made for the same, but in any event within twenty-four (24) hours of said request. Such video output shall be made available in a standard format that can be viewed by the Board. The Contractor shall ensure the data from such cameras is stored in a secure manner and shall retain camera output for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days or such longer periods as reasonably requested by the Board.

All camera use, video viewing, cameras and hard drives shall be used in accordance with the policies and procedures as established by the Board and any local, state or federal guidelines. All video imagery and audio recordings are the sole property of the District. Signage shall be placed in each Vehicle to indicate that Students are being recorded.

2.1.19 The Contractor shall ensure that each Vehicle used by the Contractor to provide Transportation Services in accordance with this Agreement is equipped with a global positioning system (“GPS”). The GPS system shall be subject to approval by the District. The Contractor-supplied routing software shall have the ability to integrate with the GPS system.

2.1.20 All Vehicles must be equipped with a "Child Check Mate System" or equivalent, as approved by the Board, to ensure that no child remains on a Vehicle at the end of each route.

2.1.21 The Board shall have the right to inspect in any reasonable manner, including riding the Vehicles as a passenger, any and all Vehicles or equipment and their operation.

2.1.22 The Board may, with written notice, require the Contractor to discontinue the use of any Vehicle which it deems to be hazardous, mechanically defective or subject to frequent breakdown or delays. The Contractor shall immediately replace such Vehicle with one that can fulfill the requirements of this Agreement.

2.1.23 The Contractor shall provide Vehicles without any additional charge or cost to all schools a minimum of two times a year for bus safety drills, including instruction in emergency evacuation, in a manner approved by the Board.

2.1.24 No Vehicles shall display, either inside or outside of the Vehicle, any advertisement without the prior written authorization of the Superintendent.

2.1.25 No person shall be allowed to ride any Vehicle unless so authorized in advance by the District, which such approval shall be granted in its sole and absolute discretion.

2.1.26 Contractor shall supply at its own cost seat belts, child restraint seats, harnesses or other suitable restraints and wheelchair lifts to meet the needs of each Student on Type II Vehicles.

2.1.27 Should applicable law require child restraints for all Students being provided services under the Agreement, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to provide for alternate pricing. It shall be the Contractor's responsibility to provide compliant restraints. In addition, if the District or any governmental agency, state, federal or local law required or imposes additional equipment requirements on any of the Vehicles during the Term (including, but not limited to, new technology or equipment relating to safety or emissions standard(s)), which are specific requirements for continued operation of the Vehicles, the Contractor and the District shall negotiate in good faith to provide for alternate pricing, which such pricing shall be incorporated into the following school year’s budget.

2.1.28 A copy of the route the Vehicle is serving and the students’ names and addresses on the route will be carried in the Vehicle at all times.

2.2 The Contractor shall provide Transportation Services for early dismissals or late openings of any and all schools to which Students are transported under this Agreement.