WHRSD 2026 Transportation IFB Questions

Description

Section 5.4.1 references special schedules for early releases and other calendar events. Given the operational complexity and cost of single-tier dismissals (e.g., elementary-only early releases that require a full driver call-in outside of normal route sequencing), would the District consider adding a line item to the Price Schedule for mid-day or partial-day runs that fall outside of a full district early release? A: No Appendix E references “2 notifications and 2 attempts to resolve the issue” before penalties may be imposed. For clarification purposes, would the District confirm that the notification and resolution requirements apply on a per-occurrence, per-vehicle basis? For example, if Bus #21 receives an identification marking notice on Monday and Bus #25 receives a separate notice on Wednesday, would those constitute two independent occurrences each requiring their own notification and cure cycle, or would the District consider them cumulatively toward the two-notice threshold for the fleet as a whole? A: No Section 6.5 does not include a pull-out charge in the event a school fails to notify the Contractor of a field trip or athletic event cancellation. The Contractor incurs direct costs for each dispatched trip, including a union-required minimum 2-hour driver guarantee, associated payroll taxes, and fuel for deadhead mileage to and from the reporting location. 1.​ Would the District consider adding a pull-out charge of no more than $100.00 per occurrence to offset these unavoidable costs, consistent with the prior collaborative IFB which included a $75.00 charge for this purpose? A: We will reinstate the $75 charge. Section 7.6 references the installation of a base station two-way radio in the WHRSD Transportation Department. The Contractor’s current communication platform utilizes a Push-to-Talk (PTT) system that does not incorporate traditional base station hardware. ●​ Would the District consider amending this requirement to allow the Transportation Department to be provided with the same PTT device used by Contractor dispatch, enabling full communication capability without requiring a base station installation that is incompatible with the current system? A: Use of current equipment or any communication systems provided by the Contractor is fine, provided there are units available for schools and Central Office as needed.