School Bus Transportation Bid

Richmond Consolidated School in Richmond, Massachusetts, located in Berkshire County, is soliciting competitive bids for comprehensive school bus transportation services for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade and high school students attending regional institutions. The procurement encompasses regular day transportation utilizing an anticipated fleet of four buses operating for 180 school days annually, with optional services including mid-day runs, late buses, field trips, and emergency evacuation transportation. Qualified bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years of school transportation experience with evidence of at least two current or former public school contracts involving 10 or more buses each. Contractors must maintain workers' compensation insurance, auto liability coverage of $5,000,000 combined single limit with $5,000,000 excess umbrella coverage, and commercial general liability of $5,000,000, while ensuring compliance with Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Public Utilities regulations. All vehicles must be Type B, C, or D buses with minimum 77-passenger seating capacity, no more than five years old with under 85,000 miles, or no more than ten years old with under 150,000 accumulated miles. A mandatory bidders' conference is scheduled for May 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. via virtual meeting, with completed bids due by 10:00 a.m. on May 19, 2026 at Richmond Consolidated School. Bid specifications are available for pickup at the Richmond Consolidated School foyer (1831 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254) beginning April 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., or by calling 413-298-4017 x16.

No set-aside designations or restrictions targeting disadvantaged enterprises are indicated in the procurement documents. The current contractor, Dufour Bus Company, holds the expiring contract (concluding June 30, 2026) and has provided transportation at 2025-2026 rates of $402.93 per day for both regular and special routes, which may serve as a benchmark for cost evaluation. Pricing shall be submitted on a per-diem basis per vehicle for the first contract year, with annual cost-of-living adjustments calculated using the Northeast Urban Consumer Price Index for years two through five, excluding fuel costs from adjustment provisions. Bidders must submit a $5,000 bid deposit upon submission, with contract award expected within 30 days of bid opening. The resulting contract shall be a five-year agreement commencing July 1, 2026 and continuing through June 30, 2031, subject to annual appropriation and availability of funds.