Bus Charter Services

Louisville Parks and Recreation is seeking competitive bids for bus charter services through Invitation for Bid #250083, targeting transportation needs for various municipal programs including Spring Break Camp, Summer Camp, Holiday Camp, senior programs, youth programs, sports tournaments, and activities in natural areas. The procurement requires charter buses with passenger capacities ranging from 14 to 66 passengers, specifically a 54-passenger motor coach and a 14-passenger van. Bidders must have a minimum fleet of 10 buses, employ state-certified drivers, and possess a common carrier operation charter. The bid evaluation will utilize a 100-point scoring system, with 70 points allocated to in-town trip costs, 5 points for out-of-town trip costs, 15 points for multiple stop fees, and 10 points for fleet size. Submission of bids is required through the Bonfire digital portal by October 2, 2025, at 3:00 PM EDT, with a vendor question period closing September 25, 2025. Pricing will remain firm for six months after the bid closing date, with potential price adjustments subject to Metro Government approval.

The procurement strongly emphasizes participation by minority, female, and handicapped-owned businesses, establishing specific utilization goals of 15% for minority-owned businesses, 5% for female-owned businesses, and 0.5% for handicapped-owned businesses. Vendors must complete Good Faith Effort (GFE) documentation detailing subcontractor and self-perform work plans, including business names, contact information, and work allocation percentages. Additional local procurement policies include a Minimum Wage Preference requiring full-time employees be paid at least $10.10 per hour and a Local Vendor Preference option. The solicitation includes a "Ban the Box" ordinance restricting initial employment application inquiries about criminal history, with specific exceptions for certain sensitive positions. While no specific contract value was explicitly stated, the multi-year renewable contract (up to five years) suggests a potentially significant procurement opportunity for transportation service providers meeting the specified qualifications and diversity requirements.