RIC Campus Shuttle Services

Rhode Island College in Providence is seeking a vendor to provide on-campus shuttle bus services under solicitation RFP27006822, with responses due by August 7, 2026. The contract requires the operation of a single ADA-compliant shuttle with a minimum capacity of 14 passengers, including two wheelchair positions, running on a fixed 20-minute loop with approximately 11 stops beginning at 7:30 a.m. at The Keefe Transportation Center. Services will be provided on an hourly rate basis, defined as one “shuttle-hour” of actual passenger service, with the hourly fee covering all associated costs including vehicles, drivers, fuel, maintenance, training, dispatching, supervision, and reporting. The contract spans three years with an estimated 3,000 service hours per year, totaling 9,000 hours, and the shuttle vehicle must not exceed three years of age at contract start and five years at any point during the term. Vendors must submit a technical proposal under 50 pages detailing their work plan, staff qualifications with resumes, and demonstrated experience as a shuttle provider with at least three client references, and must achieve a minimum technical score of 55 out of 70 to proceed to cost evaluation. Cost proposals must be submitted separately, signed, and sealed using the prescribed matrix, and may be subject to renegotiation if annual hours change by 20% or if a second shuttle is required during peak periods. A designated manager must meet monthly with RIC to review operations, and vendors are required to submit monthly ridership reports detailing passenger counts per stop and hour, along with weekly reports on service reliability and any interruptions. All vendors must obtain and maintain all necessary permits and licenses, carry current insurance throughout the contract term, and certify compliance with Rhode Island laws regarding conflict of interest as defined in Chapter 14 of Title 36. Participation by certified Minority, Women, or Disability Business Enterprises is incentivized through a bonus point system, and subcontractors must be certified by the Division of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion or the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities. Proposals must be submitted through the Ocean State Procures portal, and all bidders must complete and sign a supplemental attestation affirming no conflict of interest and no prior involvement in shaping the RFP requirements.