Charter Bus Transportation Services

Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal #2025-178 for charter bus transportation services to support the institution's academic programs, student services, and intercollegiate athletics throughout a five-year contract period from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2030. The procurement seeks qualified charter bus providers capable of delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation for local and long-distance travel, encompassing single-day excursions to multi-day overnight trips with varying group sizes and destination distances. Required deliverables include comprehensive pricing for 36, 47, and 55-passenger buses with specified minimum trip costs, overtime rates, mileage rates, and additional charges, along with demonstrated compliance with federal, state, and local transportation regulations including California Highway Patrol certification, drug and alcohol testing programs, and commercial driver's licensing requirements. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years of charter bus operation experience, maintain a fleet of at least 20 vehicles, and provide proven track records in safety, punctuality, and customer service. The evaluation criteria prioritize pricing (40%), safety record (20%), experience (15%), proposal quality (15%), and local representation (10%). Critical deadlines include a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on May 29, 2025, proposal submission due by June 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm, and anticipated contract award by July 25, 2025. Historical trip data from the 2023-2024 academic year demonstrates over 120 charter bus trips across California and neighboring states, providing vendors with a detailed operational blueprint of anticipated transportation needs.

The RFP does not establish specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the vendor information packet requires prospective bidders to declare their business classification, including minority-owned, woman-owned, or small business status for affirmative action documentation purposes. The solicitation does not identify incumbent vendors or current contractors in the available documentation. Mt. SAC will conduct vendor onboarding through a comprehensive vendor packet that includes W-9 forms, vendor information registrations, and California state tax withholding documentation (Forms 587, 588, and 590), with specific provisions for vendors located both inside and outside California. The contract will be subject to approval by the District's Board of Trustees and must comply with all applicable federal and California laws, including non-discrimination policies and potential restrictions for public retirement system retirees. Insurance requirements specify that the selected vendor(s) maintain comprehensive coverage including Commercial General Liability, Employer's Liability, and Automobile Liability with specified minimum coverage amounts. Pricing and payment terms will follow the FCCC contract structure with monthly invoice submissions and net 30-day payment terms; however, specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the available RFP documentation.