This Invitation for Bids (IFB) from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), seeks qualified transportation providers for on-demand enhanced driving and ancillary services. Services will originate from the Johnstown BBVS and BVRS district office, serving Cambria County and surrounding areas. Bidders must be self-certified DGS small businesses and attach their certification to be eligible. The procurement is a multiple award. Services include ambulatory and non-ambulatory transports, requiring specific vehicle equipment and insurance. Bidders must provide proof of current DGS small business certification, state-issued driver's licenses, vehicle registration and inspection, and insurance certificates with specific coverage limits. Personnel must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Background checks and Commonwealth contractor photo identification badges are mandatory for all transport staff. Ancillary services may include scribe work, reading, and sighted guide assistance. Bids must be submitted electronically through the PA Bidder Portal. Pricing is based on hourly urban rates for active driving and wait times, with a guaranteed minimum of two hours per day. Travel must be the most direct and cost-effective route. DLI may audit mileage. Wait times require pre-approval. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are established for timeliness and driver no-shows, with liquidated damages for non-compliance. Invoicing is bi-weekly via an expense log. The awarded bidders must demonstrate knowledge and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Subcontracting is allowable with DLI approval. Services are to be provided between 7 am EST and 6 pm ET, Monday through Friday, with potential for extended hours and overnight stays.
The bid notice does not explicitly state a specific delivery deadline for proposals. However, bids must be electronically received through the PA Bidder Portal, www. ***. *. *
The bid notice states that awarded bidders will be allowed a thirty (30) day grace period during the implementation phase of the contract to ramp up services. The vendor may bill in quarterly increments. Awarded bidders shall submit itemized invoices via the expense log bi-weekly to a predetermined OVR resource account for services provided to passengers.
The bid notice states that an award will be issued to all responsive and responsible bidders that meet all the eligibility requirements set forth in this IFB. This procurement is being reserved for those self-certified as DGS small businesses.
To be eligible, bidders must be self-certified DGS small businesses and attach their small business certificate. They must also provide a copy of their current DGS small business certification verification, state-issued driver's license, current vehicle registration and inspection for each transport vehicle, current vehicle insurance certificates, and cellular phone contact information for all transport staff. Additionally, bidders must provide three years of driving history issued by the state of residence for all transport staff.
The bid notice mentions liquidated damages for failing to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs), specifically 5% of each late trip and 5% of the total monthly invoice for driver no-shows. Repeated offenses in cancellations may result in a contractor responsibility program (CRP) performance entry, and multiple unjustified cancellations may lead to a reduction in the awarded bidder's hourly rate for that trip by 50%.
The bid notice does not require the submission of samples.
The bid notice does not explicitly state a deadline for challenging the bid. However, it does mention that all noncompliance issues and service deficiencies must be addressed, in writing, to the DLI contracting officer, to include a proposed solution, within forty-eight (48) hours of bidder's receipt of notification and the approved resolution must be in place within five (5) business days thereafter.
