Transportation services request for proposals (¿RFP¿)

Ivy Preparatory Academy for Girls at Kirkwood (IPA), a public charter school in DeKalb County, Georgia, is requesting proposals for student transportation services for approximately 150 scholars during the 2026-2027 school year, with proposals due June 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EST and written vendor questions due June 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

The scope encompasses three service plans: Plan A provides daily home-to-school and school-to-home transportation via three designated hubs in DeKalb and Fulton counties (Panola Road in Stonecrest/Lithonia accommodating approximately 90 scholars, Candler Road in Decatur approximately 55 scholars, and Camp Creek in Atlanta approximately 45 scholars); Plan B covers approximately 35 field trips annually throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta area; and Plan C addresses approximately 20 one-way athletic trips in the same region. The school operates a 180-day annual calendar, beginning August 3, 2026 and concluding May 27, 2027. Vendors must provide three buses (expandable to four) accommodating approximately 50–55 scholars per bus, with yellow school buses preferred but other compliant student transportation vehicles acceptable. Backup vehicle capacity must be at least one fully operational backup for every three buses assigned or a minimum of one backup vehicle, whichever is greater, deployable within 30 minutes of service interruption. GPS tracking and transportation technology are strongly preferred but not required; seat belts are preferred but not required. Transportation attendants, wheelchair lifts, stretcher equipment, and after-school or summer program transportation are not required.

The vendor must comply with all federal, state, and local transportation regulations, maintain Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), and Umbrella/Excess Liability ($2 million per occurrence and aggregate). All personnel must complete criminal background checks, sex offender registry screenings, and E-Verify compliance documentation. Monthly invoicing occurs with net 30 payment terms. The vendor bears all vehicle maintenance, fuel, uniforms, equipment, and training costs and must submit monthly vehicle maintenance logs by the tenth business day of each month and quarterly compliance attestations.

Evaluation is scored on 100 points: 20 for firm overview and experience, 20 for team experience and staff training, 30 for proposed scope of services, 15 for annual costs, and 15 for industry reputation. Shortlisted vendors participate in virtual presentations and interviews on June 19, 2026; board recommendations and approval occur June 23, 2026; and vendor notification of decisions occurs June 25, 2026. No incumbent is identified.