Transportation Services – EC Student

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) in North Carolina is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP #2026-06) for student transportation services. The procurement seeks sealed proposals to provide transportation for one student from Hendersonville, NC to Charlotte, NC approximately 220 days per year, covering 230 miles daily (115 miles each way). The vehicle must arrive in Charlotte by 8:30 AM and depart at 2:30 PM most days. Sealed proposals must be received by 9:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the HCPS Administration Building located at 414 Fourth Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739, with written questions due by noon EST on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The successful vendor must demonstrate qualifications including specialized training certifications for special needs transportation, valid background checks, driver vetting, and strong safety records. Award will be determined based on evaluation criteria including approach, pricing, ability to meet specifications, qualifications, and references—not solely on price. The initial contract term is one year (2026-2027) with two optional one-year renewal periods by mutual consent. Vendors must provide monthly invoices with itemized logs detailing driver name, dates worked, and arrival/departure times, with payment due within 30 days of invoice receipt.

The RFP is a federal-funded solicitation requiring compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) and applicable federal provisions, including E-Verify, Davis-Bacon Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, and debarment/suspension requirements. No specific set-asides or restrictions limiting response types are identified in the procurement documents; however, vendors must maintain specific insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability minimum $1,000,000, Automobile Liability minimum $150,000 bodily injury/$150,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist, and Worker's Compensation. No incumbent vendor or existing contractor information is provided. No specific award value or budget range is listed in the available documentation, though vendors should note that pricing is a significant evaluation factor alongside qualifications and operational capabilities. The contract is non-exclusive, and HCPS reserves the right to reject any or all bids for sound documented reasons.