Districtwide Student Supplemental Transportation Services

Lexington County School District Two in South Carolina is soliciting competitive bids for districtwide student supplemental transportation services for approximately 350 students with special needs under a fixed-price bid, with proposals due June 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and questions due June 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Award will place responsive and responsible offerors on a Qualified Provider List with no guarantee of work assignments; placement on the list does not obligate the District to use any specific contractor and failure to receive business assignments shall not be grounds for contract protest under Section 11-35-4320 of the Lexington School District Two Procurement Code.

The scope covers transportation for homeless, foster care, disabled, and medically fragile students across two separate lots: Lot 1 for standard passenger vehicles and full-size vans, and Lot 2 for ADA-compliant vehicles. Contractors must maintain a minimum fleet of fifteen vehicles, establish an office within the Columbia Metropolitan area (Fairfield, Lexington, and Richland Counties, plus Calhoun, Kershaw, and Saluda Counties), and provide 24-hour emergency communications capability. Mandatory qualifications include minimum three years of passenger transportation experience, demonstrated school-transportation management capability, required insurance, and compliance with South Carolina regulations. All personnel must pass criminal background checks, and vehicles must be no older than five years.

The initial contract period runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with four optional one-year renewal periods available, creating a maximum five-year term through June 30, 2031. Pricing is fixed and all-inclusive; contractors may request rate increases within ninety days of each annual contract end date, not to exceed the Consumer Price Index or 2%, whichever is less. A 5% per-mile fuel surcharge applies if fuel prices exceed $5.00 per gallon. Performance penalties range from $25 for late drop-offs or pickups to $2,500 for endangering student safety. The District pays invoices net 30 days following verification. No pre-bid conference or site visit is scheduled. Multiple awards are possible.