Amendment to add funds for addition routes for Montauk Bus

The Office of Indigenous Education is seeking to amend the existing five-year contract with Montauk Bus Company, which is set to conclude on August 31, 2024, to allocate additional funds for the 2023-2024 school year. This amendment is necessary to cover increased transportation needs, including additional bus routes and personnel, to support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in compliance with Education Law Article 83, Section 4105.3. Specifically, the requested enhancements include two bus aides, three small buses for IEP students traveling to and from public and private schools, and additional small buses and aides for a summer program. The contract, originally awarded as a sole-source procurement due to Montauk Bus Company's status as the sole award recipient, covers all counties in New York State and is part of the NYS Department of Education's efforts to ensure specialized transportation services for students with disabilities. The contract, which began on September 1, 2019, and runs through August 31, 2024, is valued between $500,000 and $1 million. The amendment aims to ensure the continued provision of mandated transportation services, accommodating the increased scope of work for the final year of the contract. The procurement process for this amendment was exempt from advertising, given the sole-source nature of the award, with the opportunity for public comment closing on March 4, 2025. Further details and updates regarding this procurement can be accessed through the NYS Contract Reporter.