Special Education To and From School Extended School Year Routes - Summer

The Jersey City Public Schools Transportation Department is soliciting bids for specialized student transportation services during the Extended School Year (ESY) summer program, specifically for special education routes under solicitation PD26-27-TD1-26. The contract requires providers to transport enrolled public and private school students, school personnel, and chaperones along predetermined summer routes with strict adherence to schedules, including early dismissals and late arrivals at no additional cost. Bidders must submit detailed pricing for each route, including per diem rates for both the route and any required attendants, with award based on the lowest total per diem cost, using tiebreakers of route rate, attendant cost, and per pupil mile bid if necessary. All bids must be submitted electronically via the secure procurement portal by June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with hard copies strictly prohibited except for the original Bid Bond and Consent of Surety, which must be physically delivered to the Purchasing Department before the bid unsealing time. The successful bidder must provide a corporate performance and payment bond equal to the estimated annual contract value, maintain automotive liability insurance with a combined single limit of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence, and ensure all vehicles are inspected twice yearly with current certification stickers. Drivers and aides are subject to tuberculosis testing, criminal background checks, and mandatory controlled substance testing under federal law, and the contractor must have a dispatcher on duty daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. according to the school calendar, supported by a dedicated phone line, cell phone, email, fax, and 24/7 operational fax machine. Payment is made on or about the 30th of each month contingent upon verified service completion, and noncompliance—such as lateness exceeding five minutes, discrimination resulting in a $50 daily penalty per person, or failure to maintain insurance or documentation—may result in contract cancellation, forfeiture of funds, enforcement of performance bonds, and legal recourse. The contractor is also liable for indemnifying the Board of Education and enjoined districts against claims arising from violations of applicable laws, and must comply with New Jersey-specific requirements including political contribution disclosure, investment disclosures regarding Iran, and non-collusion affidavits. The contract term aligns with the 2026–2027 school year, with flexible start and end dates potentially falling after July 1 and before August, and