Transportation RFP April 2018

Romulus Community Schools issued a Request for Proposals on April 10, 2018, for comprehensive transportation services to support its K-12 student population across Wayne County and Riverview City, Michigan. The procurement encompasses student routing, scheduling, fleet maintenance, driver management, and ancillary transportation support for approximately 1,884 daily student riders utilizing a fleet of buses generating an estimated 577,218 annual miles across six school facilities. Proposers must submit sealed proposals by May 11, 2018, at 3:30 PM to Vincent Mensah, Director of Business and Operations, at 36540 Grant Road, Romulus, Michigan 48174, with a mandatory pre-bid facility walk scheduled for April 24, 2018, at 9:00 AM. The award is anticipated for May 29, 2018, with contract implementation on July 1, 2018, establishing an initial three-year term with the district's option to renew annually for up to two additional years. Proposals must include an original submission plus five copies accompanied by a bid security deposit equal to five percent of the first year's proposed contract sum, along with a base bid for services utilizing the district's current fleet and five alternative pricing options covering renewal terms, leased versus purchased replacement buses with varying maintenance allocations, video recording device installation costs, and performance bond provision. The district furnishes all fuel, retains evaluation and rejection rights for unreasonable pricing, and requires proposers to demonstrate experience with K-12 school districts of similar size and scope, provide at least three school client references, and maintain compliance with Michigan Department of Education regulations and the Pupil Transportation Act.

The RFP does not explicitly reference set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types eligible to respond. Proposers must assume all costs for pre-employment screening, criminal background checks, employee training, licensing, insurance, maintenance supplies, and personnel compensation. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, mandating workers' compensation coverage, general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, and comprehensive automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, with the district retaining discretionary authority to require a performance bond equal to one hundred percent of the first year contract sum. The RFP does not identify incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it specify budget ranges or award values; however, the five percent bid security deposit requirement and the district's furnishing of fuel indicate significant annual contract value. Proposers should note that the district reserves termination rights with ninety days' written notice at any time during the contract term, providing flexibility for the school district but potential uncertainty for service providers.