Supply of Transportation Services for Students from Baughers Bay, Free Bottom and Purcell Estate to the Elmore Stoutt High School

The Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Sports, is soliciting bids for the provision of student transportation services from Baughers Bay, Free Bottom, and Purcell Estate to Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Tortola. The contract covers a two-year period from September 7, 2026, through June 30, 2028, aligning with the academic calendar and requiring daily morning and afternoon transportation for an estimated 40 to 50 students. The ministry will contribute 50% of the monthly cost at a base rate of $60 per student, with the remaining 50% covered by parents or guardians; the total government expenditure is estimated between $57,600 and $72,000 over the contract term. Bids must be submitted as hard copies in a single envelope by August 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time to the Ministry’s office in Road Town, with no electronic submissions accepted. Tenderers must include a completed Form of Tender, detailed pricing structure, proof of business registration, valid trade license, certificates of good standing from tax, social security, and health insurance authorities, proof of comprehensive vehicle insurance, and current vehicle registration. All drivers must hold a valid Taxi and Livery License, possess a clean police certificate issued within the past six months, and complete mandatory safeguarding training prior to service commencement. Vehicles must be Virgin Islands-registered, roadworthy, clean, and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines, subject to unannounced inspections by the Ministry at any location. Contractors are required to adhere strictly to approved routes and schedules, report all accidents, breakdowns, or delays immediately, and ensure no student is ever left unattended or dropped off at unauthorized locations. The evaluation of bids will be based on price, contractor experience, submission of required documentation, vehicle insurance validity, and vehicle registration compliance, though no formal weights or scoring methodology is specified, indicating a trade-off approach rather than a strictly lowest-price selection. No option periods, renewals, or extensions are included, and the contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price service arrangement. Contractors must affirm compliance with ethical standards, disclose any conflicts of interest, and certify they have not engaged in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, or coercive practices; failure to meet any of these requirements will result in tender rejection or contract termination. The government retains full authority to