Essex County College is seeking proposals for athletic travel and charter bus services on an as-needed basis. The contract will cover transportation for athletic events, academic programs, summer youth programs, student activity trips, and other college-sponsored events. Vendors must provide detailed descriptions of vehicle types and services, ensuring all vehicles and drivers meet federal, state, and local regulations. Key requirements include specific vehicle capacities, ADA accessibility, safety and reliability, and qualified drivers with proper licensing and background checks. The college reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and may make single or multiple awards. Proposals are due by May 19, 2026. Insurance requirements are detailed, including commercial general liability and commercial auto liability.
The bid due date and time is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:00 am EST. Proposals will not be received after this date and time.
The bid notice states that payment will be made following the owner's policy and procedures. Invoices shall specify the period for which payment is claimed, the purchase order number, services performed, amount claimed, and correlation between services and proposal. No payment will be made unless duly authorized and accompanied by proper documentation.
The contractor will replace without charge for materials, labor, or transportation any and all parts found defective within one year from the date of final acceptance. If equipment fails to function properly within the first thirty days after delivery (excluding negligence by a college employee), it shall be replaced with new equipment under the conditions of warranty and manufacturer's guarantee.
Proposals will be evaluated based on vehicle quality, safety, and amenities; driver qualifications and professionalism; service reliability and trip execution; cost competitiveness and transparency; relevant experience; fleet capacity and operational capability; vendor reputation and references; and managerial support and communication.
Respondents should submit sufficient information to enable the evaluation committee to fully ascertain each respondent's capability to perform the requirements contemplated by this solicitation. Specific requirements for vehicle services, driver services, and trip operations are detailed in the RFP.
The bid notice mentions that in the event of a violation of anti-discrimination provisions, there may be deducted from the amount payable to the contractor a penalty of **** for each person for each calendar day during which such person is discriminated against or intimidated. It also states that the contract may be canceled or terminated for any violation.
The bid notice does not mention the submission of samples.
Any prospective bidder who wishes to challenge a bid proposal specification shall file such challenges in writing with the contracting agent no less than three business days before the opening of the bid proposals.