Senior_bus_usage_example.pdf

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by the City of New Haven, Connecticut, Department of Elderly Services to procure daily transportation services for ambulatory and special needs senior citizens. The services encompass transportation to and from three senior centers located in Atwater, Dixwell/Newhallville, and East Shore neighborhoods, as well as citywide special trips throughout the year. The contractor must operate three buses daily with morning drop-off no later than 9:30 a.m. and afternoon pickup at 3:00 p.m., maintaining a maximum ride duration of 30 minutes one-way and accommodating 35-50 ambulatory riders and 15 special needs riders daily, with special trip capacity up to 238 ambulatory and 26 special needs riders. Vehicles must accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters and meet Connecticut State safety and roadworthiness standards. Questions must be submitted by March 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with proposals due electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal by March 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The initial contract term is one year with two optional one-year renewal periods subject to the Purchasing Agent's approval.

Pricing must be submitted separately from the technical proposal and include transparent daily per-bus rates and itemized special trip pricing covering all costs for labor, permits, licenses, equipment, fuel, tolls, and parking fees, with no direct cost reimbursements permitted outside the specified contract amount. The contract is funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding derived from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program, with all expenditures required between March 3, 2021, and December 31, 2026, and indirect costs capped at 10 percent of the total awarded amount. Evaluation criteria include pass/fail compliance and safety, technical and operational capability weighted at 60 percent, and cost proposal weighted at 40 percent using a "Reward Low Cost" methodology. Drivers must be bonded with documented experience working with elderly and special needs populations. Insurance requirements include general liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), auto liability ($5 million combined single limit), and excess/umbrella liability ($20 million limits), with the City named as additional insured. Contractors must comply with prevailing wage standards, equal employment opportunity requirements, federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance, register with SAM.gov, and maintain detailed records until December 31, 2031, subject to City monitoring and audit rights, with the City retaining the unilateral right to terminate upon twenty-one days' written notice.