Transportation Service for Athletics & Allied Sport Events

The Howard County Board of Education is requesting bids for school bus transportation service for athletics and allied sport events at Oakland Mills High School and River Hill High School under IFB #118.26.B1, with bids due June 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. via Euna Procurement and written questions due June 22, 2026. Prospective bidders without existing HCPSS school bus contracts must be pre-screened and pre-approved by the Office of Transportation prior to bidding by calling 410-313-6732.

The scope encompasses approximately 200 athletics trips per school annually over a ten-month period beginning August 15, 2026 through June 30, 2027, covering fall, winter, and spring sporting events. Bidders may propose for one or both schools; HCPSS retains sole discretion in assigning schools to awarded contractors. All buses must meet federal, state, and HCPSS specifications, including Maryland acceptance date on or after January 1, 2019 with no more than 50,000 original miles (existing HCPSS buses are exempt if they meet equipment requirements). Pricing is calculated per trip for in-county and metropolitan area events and per mile for regional and state contests outside the metropolitan area, with 200 trips per school serving as a baseline. Additional trips are compensated at the same per-trip rate. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance as specified in the contract documents and comply with Maryland State Board of Education, Motor Vehicle Administration, and HCPSS policies.

The contract term is one year with one optional one-year renewal contingent on adequate FY27 Athletics Department funding and mutual written agreement with ninety days' notice. Price increases are permitted only on contract anniversary dates, limited to a 5% cap adjusted using the Baltimore/Washington Consumer Price Index and federal minimum wage increases. New contractors must demonstrate a minimum of three years' experience operating a transportation company under the same company name and provide criminal background investigations, personal and professional references, and evidence of a suitable garage location. All employees with direct contact with minors must be screened under Maryland Education Article Section 6-113.2, with HCPSS review of employment history and child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct records. Bidders must complete a debarment certification, bid affidavit including conflict-of-interest disclosures, and comply with Maryland prohibitions on employing registered sexual offenders at schools.