Charter Bus Services

Amarillo Independent School District is requesting proposals for charter bus services with proposals due October 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. to the Office of Moses Zuniga, Director of Procurement, at 7200 Interstate 40 West, Amarillo, Texas 79106-2598, either in hardcopy or through Bonfire.

The scope encompasses charter bus transportation for AISD-sponsored events, both in-state and out-of-state, on an as-needed basis via purchase order. Bus drivers must hold a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License with air brake and passenger endorsements, complete a defensive driving course with certification renewed every three years, pass annual criminal and driving history evaluations, and obtain criminal background clearance under Texas Education Code Chapter 22 prior to service commencement. Charter buses must pass annual Texas Department of Public Safety inspections, obtain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration authority for interstate travel, and comply with all Texas State and Federal transportation standards. AISD reserves the right to award multiple vendors.

Pricing is structured as fixed unit prices for each trip, with three bus capacity categories (48–60 passengers, 26–47 passengers, 25 or fewer). The pricing form requires rates for hourly service with minimum hours per trip, daily rates, mileage, minimum charges, second driver fees, overnight service, and fuel surcharges. Vendors must also specify tiered cancellation fees and discounted rates for trips booked three or six months in advance. AISD will not pay dead-head miles; vendors must incorporate repositioning costs into standard rates.

The initial contract term runs through August 31, 2027, with four optional renewal periods through August 31, 2031. Base-year pricing remains firm; renewal-year increases may not exceed the Consumer Price Index or 2%, whichever is lower. Vendors must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance of $2,000,000 aggregate and $1,000,000 per occurrence, commercial auto liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and statutory workers compensation. AISD is exempt from federal excise tax, state tax, and local sales tax. Payment is Net 30 via ACH or credit card only.

Evaluation criteria are vendor reputation (35 points), quality of goods or services (25 points), extent of meeting specifications (35 points), past vendor-district relationship (4 points), and historically underutilized business compliance impact (1 point). Purchase price carries 0 points. Vendors must score at least 45 points for award consideration. The district may terminate without penalty if funds are not appropriated. Vendors may optionally extend pricing and services to Central Texas Purchasing Alliance member political subdivisions under the interlocal agreement.

The contract is contingent upon federal compliance certifications, data protection addenda including FERPA/COPPA/HIPAA requirements, conflict-of-interest questionnaires, felony conviction notifications, resident bidder certifications, and access policies for AISD property.