26-013 On-Demand Charter Bus Services

The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) in Columbus, Georgia, is soliciting bids for on-demand charter bus services through Invitation to Bid (ITB) 26-013 for the 2026-2027 school year. The procurement seeks qualified and licensed vendors to provide charter bus transportation for K-12 students, staff, and authorized chaperones for school-related activities including field trips, athletic events, academic competitions, and extracurricular events on an as-needed basis. Services must comply with Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Department of Public Safety requirements. Vendors must submit proposals by March 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST, with a written questions deadline of February 17, 2026, and answers posted by February 20, 2026. Contract award is scheduled for April 20, 2026, with work commencing July 1, 2026, and continuing through June 30, 2027, with optional renewal for up to three additional one-year increments. Pricing must include hourly rates, per-trip rates, mileage charges, driver wait time or layover fees, and cancellation terms, with all costs remaining firm throughout the contract period. This is a multi-vendor award opportunity creating an approved vendor pool with no guaranteed minimum work volume. Required qualifications include proof of $5,000,000 combined single limit liability insurance with an A- or better A.M. Best rating, valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger endorsement, minimum two years of commercial passenger transportation experience, FMCSA and DPS compliance, and successful criminal background checks. Required submissions include bid signature form, federal work authorization affidavit, debarment certification, exceptions or deviations statement, three references of similar scope, W-9 form, business license, and applicable licenses or certifications.

The ITB does not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendor information. Award will be based on the vendor most responsive and responsible to the District's best interests, not price alone, indicating a best-value evaluation approach. No bond is required for this procurement. The District is exempt from state sales tax and will process payments via electronic fund transfer within 30 days of invoice receipt. No specific budget range or award value is listed in the solicitation documents, as this is an on-demand services contract with pricing based on actual utilization and the established rate structure submitted by vendors.