IFB ES26/27-001 Athletics Transportation Services

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is requesting bids for Athletics Transportation Services under IFB ES26/27-001, with bids due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST, revised by Addendum No. 2 from the original July 30 deadline. The contract spans two years beginning August 2026, with a tentative award date the week of August 10.

The scope covers comprehensive motorcoach transportation for 15 varsity athletics programs including men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, golf, bowling, cross country, track and field, volleyball, and women's flag football. The contractor must supply up to seven motorcoaches simultaneously during peak travel periods and furnish all labor, materials, and equipment. Vehicle classes include 15-passenger, 28-passenger, 33–38 passenger, 47-passenger, and 55–57 passenger coaches. The scope encompasses approximately 104 trips during the 2026–2027 academic year across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast regions, with destinations and trip schedules partially incomplete as of the bid date; bidders must account for finalized schedules and newly added women's flag football services (estimated minimum eight away games with no historical travel data). Storage capacity must accommodate sport-specific equipment including pole vault poles, batting equipment, and standard luggage. The contractor may engage approved subcontractors for ADA-accessible vehicles, overflow service, emergency replacement coverage, and 90-minute replacement vehicle requirements for trips within 150 miles of the campus.

The incumbent contractor, Haymarket Transportation Inc., received $503,393.76 annually. Pricing must be submitted on the bid worksheet in whole dollars covering hourly rates, per-mile rates, overnight rates, fuel pricing, tolls, parking, and miscellaneous fees by vehicle class and usage category for both Year One and Year Two. Price increases for renewal periods are capped at 5% annually using the Consumer Price Index, with requests due by March 1 prior to the extension year. The initial term runs through July 2028, with automatic month-to-month continuation thereafter if no new award is made, up to 12 additional months.

The contractor must carry comprehensive general liability insurance of $2 million per occurrence and aggregate, workers' compensation insurance as required by Maryland law, and automobile bodily injury liability insurance of $1 million per person and $2 million per accident. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Bids are valid for 90 days. Addendum No. 3, issued August 7, confirmed that estimated annual mileage, hourly usage, overnight trips, and historical trip data are available to support pricing; however, Year One and Year Two game schedules remain incomplete except for MEAC Championship dates.