About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Plainfield Board of Education seeks bids for student transportation services spanning the 2027–2028 through 2030–2031 school years under a four-year contract. The scope encompasses in-district, magnet, vocational-technical, non-public, athletic, field trip, and summer school bus routes from initial pickup to final drop-off. Eligibility is restricted to USA organizations. Bidders must submit questions by November 28, 2026, and attend a pre-proposal meeting on November 18, 2026. Sealed bids containing two hard copies and one electronic flash drive copy are due to the Business Office by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 11, 2026. Submissions must include pricing for three-tier transportation excluding fuel, a letter confirming insurability, an initial performance bond of 25% of the upcoming school year's cost, and a Certificate of Corporate Authority. The district will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder based on criteria including experience, vehicle maintenance programs, and equipment.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- PLAINFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION
- Solicitation No.
- 2027-0001
Scope of work
- In-district, magnet, vocational-technical, and non-public school bus transportation
- Athletic and field trip school bus transportation
- 3-tier basic transportation service excluding fuel
- Summer school and extended-hour transportation routes
- Provision and maintenance of Type I and Type II school buses meeting age specifications
- Computerized routing software utilization and dry-run field testing
- Driver staffing, background checks, training, and compulsory safety seminars
- Provision of equipment and personnel for mandated student safety evacuation drills
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Lowest responsible bidder in the best interest of the District | Not specified |
| Previous performance, reputation, and experience | Not specified |
| Vehicle maintenance program and equipment | Not specified |
| Bid security and complete data submission | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Drivers must hold a current license in compliance with state law and valid endorsements
- Area resident manager and dispatcher must have access to a State of Connecticut Certified School Bus Driver Instructor
- Vehicles provided must not exceed twelve (12) years from original manufacture date
- Contractor must be insurable and licensed to do business in the State of Connecticut
- Contractor must lease the designated bus terminal and maintenance facility directly
Documents to include with your response
- Executed Transportation Bid Forms (3 Tier Transportation Bid Form)
- Bid Security ($20,000 certified bank check or bid bond)
- Certificate of Corporate Authority
- Insurability letter from an authorized insurance company
- Performance bond commitment letter
- Personnel management program information
- Driver training, student management, and safety program documentation
- List of current Connecticut school system contracts and fleet sizes
- Three letters of reference from different current vendors
- Signed Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Certification
Key dates
- Bid Posting
- October 29th, 2026
- Bid documents available
- 4 p.m. on October 29th, 2026
- Pre-bid informational virtual meeting
- November 18th, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
- Bid Questions Due
- November 27th, 2026
- Responses to Bid Questions
- December 4th, 2026
- RFP Bid Submission Due
- December 11th, 2026 (11 A.M)
- Bidders names publicly read aloud
- December 11th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time
- District Review Period
- December 11th - Dec 21st, 2026
- Selection decision notification intention
- December 30, 2026
- Contract start
- July 1, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy and electronic format (or electronic with prior approval)
- Instructions
- Submit two (2) hard copies and one in electronic format (i.e. flash drive) in sealed envelopes marked Board of Education Transportation Services 2027-2031 Bid #2027-0001 to the Business Office of the Business Manager, Plainfield Board of Education, 234 Shepard Hill Rd, Plainfield, CT 06374. Electronic submission requires prior approval from the Business Manager.
Contract details
- Term
- Four (4) years base term (July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2031) with up to two (2) additional one-year renewal terms (July 1, 2031 through June 30, 2032, and July 1, 2032 through June 30, 2033).
- Place of performance
- Plainfield, Connecticut
- Insurance and bonding
- Excess or Umbrella Liability of $10,000,000 applying over General, Auto; statutory Workers Compensation including all-states coverage. Policies must name Town of Plainfield and Plainfield Board of Education as Additional Insureds with Waiver of Subrogation. $20,000 bid bond/certified check required with bid. Performance bond equal to 25% of the total contract cost for the upcoming school year required annually.