Towing & Recovery Services

Pinellas County School District is requesting sealed electronic bids for towing and recovery services under ITB #26-AM-012, with bids due by 3:00 pm on July 29, 2026, via the District's OpenGov Procurement Portal. The District extends a five percent preference to Florida-based businesses when the lowest bid is from an out-of-state supplier whose state does not grant equivalent preferences; bidders with principal places of business outside Florida must provide attorney certification of their state's bidding preferences.

The scope covers 24/7 towing and recovery services throughout Pinellas County for school district-owned vehicles, including passenger cars, school buses, trucks, vans, tractors, trailers, and lawn equipment. Service must be available during normal business hours (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) with delivery to one of four district compounds (Walter Pownall Service Center in Largo, 49th Street Compound in St. Petersburg, Coachman Compound in Clearwater, or Tarpon Springs Compound); outside normal hours, delivery to the contractor's facility. The contractor must maintain a fenced impound lot with capacity for 65-passenger school buses, provide radio dispatching, and maintain a spare school bus on-site for emergency use. Pricing is submitted as flat rates for in-county tows, out-of-county tows (separate rates for 0–50 miles and 51–100 miles), and excessive downtime charges per minute. The award is "all or none" to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The estimated contract value is approximately $70,000 annually. The contract period runs September 23, 2026, through September 22, 2027, with potential renewal for two additional one-year periods plus three optional 30-day extensions at the District's discretion. A price escalation provision at renewal periods may not exceed the prior year's Consumer Price Index change with 60 days' notice.

Bidders must provide proof of insurance (including General Liability at $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum, Automotive Liability at $300,000 Combined Single Limit minimum, and Workers' Compensation per Florida Statute 440), E-Verify compliance, three references with similar services from the past three years, and certifications including drug-free workplace, debarment, and human trafficking affidavits. All personnel with school access must obtain Level 2 background clearance per the Jessica Lunsford Act. The District intends to award by September 8, 2026, following Board approval.