Charter Bus Services for UW-River Falls

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Purchasing Services Department is seeking bids for charter bus services through a Request for Bid (RFB) solicitation numbered 20-0001-TDP. The procurement covers two distinct service lots: Lot 1 includes local school bus and single-day coach bus services, while Lot 2 encompasses multiple-day coach bus services. The university estimates approximately 125 trips annually to support local, regional, and national transportation needs for students, staff, and faculty attending athletic, academic, and other university-sponsored events. Bidders must demonstrate three years of experience providing charter busing services, maintain Wisconsin licensure, and provide three client references. The solicitation requires contractors to maintain commercial liability insurance with minimum coverage of one million dollars and add the Board of Regents as an additional insured. Key dates include written questions due by September 16, 2019, and bid submissions due by October 1, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. CST/CDT via email. Award will be made on the basis of lowest aggregated cost per lot, with the university reserving the right to make single or multiple awards.

The contract term begins upon award and continues for one year, with four automatic one-year renewal options unless terminated. Pricing must remain fixed during the initial contract term, with potential price increases for subsequent terms requiring ninety days' advance notice and full cost justification documentation. Bidders must submit firm pricing on a provided cost sheet, broken down by bus size and including cost-per-mile rates, hourly charges, minimum and maximum charges. The university qualifies for governmental and educational discounts, which must be reflected in quoted prices. Invoices must show contracted discounts and net prices, with payment made net 30 days from receipt of properly submitted invoices. Contractors must pass criminal background checks and comply with Wisconsin Administrative Code standards. The university reserves the right to terminate the contract without cause upon thirty days' written notice or immediately for performance failures, safety threats, or insurance non-compliance. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, bidders must provide company information including name, address, FEIN number, DUNS number, and contact details. Though no specific budget range is provided, the solicitation suggests a potentially significant annual contract value based on the estimated 125 trips.