SW- DGS4600016 - On-Call Bus and Transportation Services - Amendment 3 - Q&Rfinal.pdf

AMENDMENT THREE

TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS

ISSUE DATE: JANUARY 26, 2024

eMMA NUMBER: BPM041923/001IT821432

OFFICE OF STATE PROCUREMENT

SOLICITATION TITLE: STATEWIDE ON-CALL BUS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

This Amendment is issued to clarify, add to, delete from, correct and/or change the BID documents to the extent indicated and is hereby made a part of the said BID documents on which the contract will be based. This Amendment becomes part of the BID package. COMAR 21.05.02.08 requires all Amendments issued to be acknowledged.

Issued by:

State of Maryland

Department of General Services

Office of Procurement and Logistics

301 W. Preston Street - Suite M-4

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Tierra Ali-Said

Tierra Ali-Said

DGS Procurement Officer

Acknowledgment Date

Company Name

AMENDMENT THREE TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS

EMMA NUMBER: BPM041923/001IT821432

Issued: January 26, 2024

Amendment Three – Statewide: On-Call Bus and Transportation Services

SOLICITATION TITLE: STATEWIDE: ON-CALL BUS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Responses to Questions submitted:

QUESTION #1 – Is it obligatory to include an aide or attendant for the specified transportation services?

RESPONSE #1 – No. The State is requesting drivers in response to this Solicitation.

QUESTION #2 – What is the billing framework associated with the presence of an aide or attendant during the provision of services?

RESPONSE #2 – Please refer to Section 3.3 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Invoicing”.

QUESTION #3 – Can you clarify the preferred vehicle types sought by the State of Maryland for transportation services?

RESPONSE #3 – Please refer to Section 2.2.1 a) of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Contractor Responsibilities”.

QUESTION #4 – Additionally, are there specific areas where the Bureau identifies a deficiency in transportation capacity that vendors should be mindful of?

RESPONSE #4 – No.

QUESTION #5 – Are vendors allowed to submit distinct pricing models based on vehicle types and specific requisites outlined by the Bureau?

RESPONSE #5 – Bidders are instructed to complete the fields listed on the Price Bid Form, only in order to be considered for an Award.

QUESTION # 6 – What is the seating capacity for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles?

RESPONSE # 6 – The State cannot determine the seating capacity for Wheelchair Accessible

Vehicles.

QUESTION # 7 – Are there specific protocols for accommodating multiple passengers in such vehicles?

RESPONSE # 7 – No.

QUESTION # 8 – Is there a necessity for ambulance services, especially for stretcher transportation?

RESPONSE # 8 – No.

QUESTION # 9 – Can we obtain figures for the number of individuals requiring alternative transportation services in 2019 and projected numbers for 2023-24?

RESPONSE # 9 – This information is unavailable.

QUESTION # 10 – If possible, provide a breakdown categorizing them as solo, sedan, van, or lifts, as appropriate.

RESPONSE # 10 – A breakdown categorizing them as solo, sedan, van, or lifts is unavailable.

QUESTION # 11 – As a historical average, what is the estimated number of service hours provided for the State of Maryland?

RESPONSE # 11 – Historical data based on the nature of this service is unavailable.

QUESTION # 12 – Is the presence of a nurse/attendant or aide mandatory for the specified transportation services?

RESPONSE # 12 – No.

QUESTION # 13 – If so, how is the attendance of such personnel billed – does it constitute part of the overall service cost or is it billed separately?

RESPONSE # 13 – This question is inapplicable to this Solicitation.

QUESTION # 14 – Could you expound on the procedures for managing tolls, parking fees, No-Show occurrences, and any cleaning fees in relation to the transportation services outlined in this RFP?

RESPONSE # 14 – Please refer to Amendment # 2 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB) regarding travel reimbursement.

QUESTION # 15 – Can we obtain historical data encompassing transportation services before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and under present circumstances?

RESPONSE # 15 – This information is unavailable.

QUESTION # 16 – Include any notable shifts or trends in service demand, frequency, or other pertinent information that could contribute to the proposal.

RESPONSE # 16 – This question is not clearly defined.

QUESTION # 17 – Is there current incumbent vendor providing transportation services or a similar service, and what are their rates?

RESPONSE # 17 – There is currently no incumbent providing these services. As a result, their rates are unavailable.

QUESTION # 18 – In the event of a substantial and unforeseen escalation in operational costs (e.g. fuel prices rise), can the contractor anticipate that a supplementary cost invoice will be acknowledged?

RESPONSE # 18 – Please refer to Section 3.3.6 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Travel

Reimbursement”. Cost adjustments will be re-negotiated at the end of each contract year.

QUESTION # 19 – Would the State of Maryland be open to innovative approaches, including a combination of dedicated and nondedicated supplemental fleets, such as supplemental taxi and/or TNC rideshare services?

RESPONSE # 19 – No.

QUESTION # 20 – Is there a possibility of piggybacking off an existing contact agreement within the

State such as School District Contract for the transportation services outlined in this Bid Solicitation?

RESPONSE # 20 – No.

QUESTION # 21 – What percentage of occupants is anticipated to require a wheelchair lift?

RESPONSE # 21 – The State cannot anticipate the transportation needs of its citizens who require wheelchair access.

QUESTION # 22 – Can bidders specializing in improving mobility option for seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities submit proposals to provide specialized transportation services?

RESPONSE # 22 – A Bidder must meet the Minimum Requirements (Section 1) and agree to meet the responsibilities listed in Section 2.2 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB) in order to submit a Bid.

QUESTION # 23 – Would the state consider exemptions in insurance, such as Crime

Insurance/Employee Theft Insurance, Cyber Security/Data Breach Insurance, as they may not align with industry standards for transportation services?

RESPONSE # 23 –No.

QUESTION # 24 – Is there a possibility of reducing workers’ compensation to meet state statutes?

RESPONSE # 24 –No.

QUESTION # 25 – Can you provide more details on the specific requirements for bus and transportation services during major storms, catastrophic events, and emergencies?

RESPONSE # 25 – Please refer to Section 2.2 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Background and Purpose” to review the specific requirements for on-call bus and transportation services in the event of an emergency.

QUESTION # 26 – Are there any specific qualifications or certifications required for the bus and transportation services provider?

RESPONSE # 26 – Please refer to Section 1 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Minimum

Qualifications.”

QUESTION # 27 – How does the Department plan to assess and ensure that the selected bidder can handle the transportation needs of the general population, including citizens/non-citizens, and those requiring wheelchair and service animal support?

RESPONSE # 27 – Please refer to Section 3.1 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Contract

Initiation.”

QUESTION # 28 – How will the responsibility for contract performance be distributed between the selected bidder and any subcontractors?

RESPONSE # 28 – Please refer to Section 2.1.4 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB).

QUESTION # 29 – How does the Department plan to coordinate with the authorized Using Agency in the event of an emergency, and what information will be required from the Using Agency?

RESPONSE # 29 – Please refer to Section 2.2.2 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “State Staff and Roles.”

QUESTION # 30 – Can you define the specific coverage area within the State of Maryland where the bus and transportation services will be required during emergencies?

RESPONSE # 30 – The coverage area for the On-Call Bus and Transportation Services Contract is statewide.

QUESTION # 31 – Are there any anticipated scenarios where services might need to extend beyond the initial coverage area, and how will such situations be addressed?

RESPONSE # 31 – Please refer to Amendment # 2, the revision of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), Section 2.3.5.

QUESTION # 32 – Besides the core transportation services, are there any additional ancillary services that may be required during emergencies, and how are these services defined?

RESPONSE # 32 –No.

QUESTION # 33 – Can you provide details on the billing structure for any ancillary services that may be requested, and how will these charges be communicated and accounted for?

RESPONSE # 33 – Please refer to Section 3.3 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Invoicing”.

QUESTION # 34 – What kind of support is expected from the Contractor during emergency situations, especially concerning coordination with emergency response officials and any additional responsibilities beyond transportation?

RESPONSE # 34 – Please refer to Section 2.2 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Background and Purpose” as well as Section 2.3 of the Invitation for Bids (IFB), labeled, “Responsibilities and

Tasks.”

QUESTION # 35 – How will the Department handle situations where specialized services or equipment are required beyond the initially specified scope, and what would be the process for negotiating and implementing these changes?

RESPONSE # 35 – The State will inquire about specialized services if applicable. If the services are available, the State will request services from the vendor. If the services are unavailable, the State will seek other means of services.

- End of Amendment Number Three -