About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Berlin Board of Education seeks proposals from qualified independent contractors to provide comprehensive student transportation services for the Berlin Public Schools. The scope includes daily home-to-school regular education transportation, special education routes, pre-kindergarten routes, vocational and technical school routes, summer sessions, and extracurricular or athletic trips. The contractor must supply all required management, drivers, monitors, vehicles, maintenance, equipment, fuel management, technology, and insurance, alongside maintaining an approved local bus lot. Eligible onshore contractors must submit their electronic proposals via the OpenGov portal by November 25, 2026, at 12:00 pm. Questions are due no later than November 9, 2026, following a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting on November 4, 2026. Submissions must detail driver recruitment strategies, safety programs, fleet replacement programs, key management resumes, pending litigation disclosures, performance bond capabilities, and references. The initial contract term spans three years from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030, with a Board option for two additional years through June 30, 2032.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Town of Berlin
- Solicitation No.
- 2027-14
Scope of work
- Daily home-to-school regular education morning and afternoon transportation
- Specialized door-to-door transportation for eligible special education students
- Pre-kindergarten and summer (extended school year) transportation
- Dedicated morning and afternoon technical and vocational school transportation
- Extra-curricular and special trips including athletic competitions and field trips
- Drivers, mechanic services, and insurance to maintain approximately 40 Board-owned vehicles
- Fuel management, maintenance, vehicle technology (GPS, video/audio cameras), and spare vehicles
- Maintenance of daily passenger rosters and bus routing utilizing computerized transportation grid programs
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Experience | 10 |
| Organization / Capability to meet requirements and conditions | 10 |
| Evaluation Criteria 3 | 10 |
| Price | 10 |
Minimum qualifications
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in Connecticut in the past 3 years performing outlined transportation services
- Proven track record successfully providing services for similarly sized municipal governments, preferably in Connecticut
- Familiar with, qualified, and properly licensed in the State of Connecticut
- Not in arrears or in default to the Town regarding any tax, debt, contract, security, or other obligation
- Documented/audited internal control environment
- Business continuity plan
- Compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) with appropriate endorsements and safety training for drivers
Documents to include with your response
- Complete proposal excluding pricing
- Executed Non-Discrimination Memorandum (Appendix A)
- Executed Non-Collusion Statement (Appendix B)
- Pricing Table
- Reference check form with 3 references
- List of school districts currently under signed contract for transportation services
- Financial data and bankruptcy disclosure within the last seven (7) years
- Evidence of ability to furnish a 100% performance bond
- Key management personnel list and resumes
- Fleet information, replacement program, and DMV out-of-service vehicle inspection reports
Key dates
- Release Date
- October 30, 2026
- Pre-Proposal Meeting (Non-Mandatory)
- November 4, 2026, 12:00pm
- Question Submission Deadline
- November 9, 2026, 4:00pm
- Proposal Submission Deadline
- November 25, 2026, 12:00 pm
- Contract start
- July 1, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via the Town's e-Procurement Portal
- Instructions
- Submitted electronically at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/berlinct. Bidders unable to upload electronically may contact the Purchasing Manager prior to the deadline to arrange paper submission. Proposals are submitted in separate parts (excluding pricing from respondent submittals).
Contract details
- Term
- Three (3) years commencing July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030, with a Board option for two (2) additional years through June 30, 2032.
- Place of performance
- Berlin, Connecticut
- Insurance and bonding
- General Liability Insurance protecting against claims, with updated COI naming the Town as additional insured upon award; performance bond for 100% of the annual price if required by the Board.