Request for Student Transportation Services

Berlin Public Schools in Connecticut is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposals due November 25, 2026, to secure a contractor for comprehensive student transportation services. Bidders must submit a completed non-discrimination Statement of Policy signed by a company officer, which the district treats as a mandatory prerequisite for bid consideration. The source identifies no set-aside or preference program.

The scope covers daily home-to-school and school-to-home bus service for K-12 public students, in-district non-public students including St. Paul School, and eligible regional technical and vocational-agricultural students. The contractor also provides transportation for students with individualized education programs through Pupil Personnel Services, out-of-district placements, late-bus routes, and charters for athletic events and field trips. Operations must comply with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles regulations, State Department of Education safety standards, and Berlin Board of Education policy.

Required capabilities include a modern, well-maintained fleet equipped with GPS tracking, two-way radio, digital video surveillance, and automated stop-arm enforcement; route optimization and dispatch management; documented driver recruitment, background vetting, and ongoing safety training; and local administrative oversight for daily operations and customer service. Proposals must demonstrate capacity, operational qualifications, and financial stability.

The attached Transportation Services Agreement sets a three-year term from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030, with an option to renew for two years pending Board approval. Service runs 180 school days annually. The contractor supplies vehicles, operators, and garage facilities, while the Board supplies fuel for buses and small vehicles. Vehicles may be no more than ten years old. Required insurance includes bodily injury coverage of $1 million per claimant and $10 million per accident, plus $1 million in property damage coverage. The contractor must post a performance bond equal to 100 percent of each year's estimated contract price. The Board pays in ten monthly installments on invoices submitted by the tenth day of the following month.

Pricing must follow a transparent multi-year structure detailing daily per-bus operational rates, fuel adjustment mechanisms, and hourly rates for athletic and extracurricular charters.