Student Big Bus Transportation Bid Ã? ¢Ã? Â? Ã? Â? Fiscal Years 2028Ã? ¢Ã? Â? Ã? Â? 2030

Tantasqua Regional School District and the School Committees of Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, and Wales are soliciting sealed bids under IFB TRSD-U61 for student big bus transportation services for fiscal years 2028 through 2030, with bids due November 19, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Bidders must demonstrate at least five years of school transportation contract experience in Massachusetts, and the procurement is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B.

Services cover home-to-school transportation for elementary students in kindergarten through grade 6 and regional students in grades 7 through 12, including regular routes and late bus runs departing at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The elementary component serves four schools with approximately 725 students requiring 17 buses. The secondary component serves four regional schools with approximately 945 students requiring 19 buses. Extracurricular trips are priced per mile or as flat fees. Buses must be 2020 model year or newer Type I vehicles with a minimum capacity of 71 passengers, two-way radio communication, and snow tires from December 1 through March 31. The contractor must maintain a local office and spare equipment within the four member towns, provide a dedicated transportation coordinator reachable by telephone, and garage the fleet within the district during operating periods, a requirement that may be waived for the first six months.

The contract term runs July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030, with each school year consisting of 180 days. Pricing may consist of flat rates or incremental increases across the three years. The school committees may increase or decrease regular route buses by up to two per year at the original unit prices, with no additional compensation for route modifications. Insurance requirements include public liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence and $5 million aggregate, plus property damage coverage of not less than $2 million. A $5,000 bid deposit is required with submission. The school committees reserve the right to require a performance bond equal to 50 percent of total contract value, which may be withheld from monthly billing during the first year if the contractor cannot obtain bonding.

Award will be determined by the lowest three-year aggregated cost per town, potentially resulting in multiple contract awards. Bids are submitted to the Superintendent's Office, 320A Brookfield Road, Fiskdale, MA 01518, in Worcester County.