Request to utilize The School Board of Palm Beach County, Florida Bid # 26C-024C Educational Tours - Travel Agency and tour Operation Services

The School Board of Osceola County, Florida, has entered into a term contract with Central Florida Student Tours, Inc., doing business as Educational Tours, for the provision of travel agency and tour operation services. This piggyback agreement, based on solicitation 26C-024C from the School Board of Palm Beach County, establishes a framework for services provided on an as-needed basis via purchase orders. The contract period runs from September 23, 2026, through September 22, 2031. To ensure operational efficiency, the contractor is required to maintain office personnel available from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST on all days that schools or departments are in session. Award selection is based on a ranking system where vendors must achieve a minimum score of 65 to be included in a pool of qualified providers, with those scoring 70 or more being recommended for award. The contractor must comply with strict regulatory standards, including the Protection of Pupil Privacy Acts, FERPA, and Florida Statutes regarding government contracting. Administrative requirements include the use of PaymentWorks for ACH payments and the maintenance of specific insurance coverages naming the School Board as an additional insured. Proposers are subject to a cone of silence during the solicitation process and must provide comprehensive documentation, including company financials, a ten-year history of complaint notifications, and certifications regarding lobbying for contracts exceeding 100,000 dollars.