V2526022B - Extra Curricular Transportation Bid

VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1234 ARCADIA AVENUE, VISTA, CA 92084
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
DATE: May 20, 2026
SUBJECT: BID #V2526022B
RE: EXTRA CURRICULAR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
BID OPENING: June 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM
Please bid your lowest prices for the items or services on the attached sheets.
Before bidding, please read the Instructions, Special Provisions, Bid Sheets,
and Special Terms and Conditions which are attached.
Submit all bids in a sealed envelope showing the Bid Number, opening date,
and opening time. Bid must reach the Bid Administrator at the address, date
and time listed in the Notice to Bidders.
Inquiries regarding this bid should be directed to Mr. Kevin Lesko -
Director of Purchasing by email: kevinlesko@vistausd.org. Questions will
be answered via Addendum and posted at:
https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing
*NOTE: BIDS SUBMITTED BY FAX OR EMAIL ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE*
*** THIS FORM IS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR BID ***
The undersigned hereby proposes and agrees to furnish and deliver the goods
or services as bid in accordance with the terms, conditions, specifications, and
prices herein quoted.
FIRM NAME:
SIGNED BY:
TITLE: DATE:
ADDRESS:
PHONE#: FAX #:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:

NOTICE TO BIDDERS
ADVERTISEMENT
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Notice is hereby given that Vista Unified School District, State of California, hereby calls for sealed bids for Bid No. V2526022B, EXTRA
CURRICULAR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES to be delivered to the Vista Unified School District Purchasing Department at 1234 Arcadia Avenue,
Vista, CA 92084 until June 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Bids received by the bid deadline shall be opened at the stated time and place. Bids will not be
read. Faxed or emailed bids will not be accepted.
Bids shall be presented in accordance with the specifications for the same, Bid specifications will be available at the District's website at
https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing on May 20, 2026.
Inquiries regarding this bid should be directed to the Purchasing Director via email at kevinlesko@vistausd.org. Reference Bid No. V2526022B on all
inquiries.
The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to accept or to reject any one or more items of a bid, or to waive any irregularities or
informalities in the bids or in the bidding.
No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening of bids.
Publication: Daily Journal - 05/20/26; 05/27/26
2

VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BID #V2526022B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bid Instructions and Conditions 4-9
Special Conditions 10-11
Specifications 12-14
Bid Form 15-19
Renewal Clause 20
References 21
Non-Collusion Bidding Declaration 22
Bid Bond 23-24
Agreement 25-27
Fingerprint Certification Form 28
SPAB Bus Inspection Report 29
School Site Addresses 30
Site Map 31
3

BID INSTRUCTIONS AND CONDITIONS
1. BID FORMS: Bids shall be made upon the form therefore obtained at the office of the Purchasing
Department and properly executed. Bids shall be written in ink or by typewriter before submission.
Bids are to be verified, as they cannot be corrected after bids are opened. The signature of all
persons signing shall be in longhand. The completed form shall be without interlineation,
alterations, or erasures. Alternative proposals will not be considered unless requested in the
specifications. Oral, fax or email modifications will not be considered. Before submitting a bid,
bidders shall carefully examine specifications, and the forms of other documents. They shall fully
inform themselves as to all existing conditions and limitations and shall insure that unit cost and
total cost is reflected in the bid. No allowance will be made because of lack of such examination
or knowledge. Any bids received after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids shall be
returned to the bidder unopened.
2. NAME OF COMPANY: Bidders shall specify the name or legal entity of their company and/or
any fictitious name under which business is conducted. Bids must be submitted under the correct
name of the company and signed by an authorized representative of the firm.
3. ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACT: No assignment by the Contractor of any contract to be entered
into hereunder or any part thereof, or of funds to be received thereunder by the Contractor, will
be recognized by the District unless such assignment has had the prior approval of the District.
4. PRICES: All bid prices shall include separate quotations for each item or unit specified. Prices
must be typewritten or in ink, and no tax shall be included in the prices quoted. Prior to bid
opening, corrections may be inserted; however, changes must be initialed, in ink, by the person
signing the bid or by his authorized representative.
5. TAXES: The District shall not be responsible for any taxes with the exception of sales or use
taxes where applicable. Applicable taxes shall be added by the bidder to his invoice(s) and shall
not be included in the bid.
6. BIDDER SECURITY: Bids shall be accompanied by a certified or cashier's check or bid bond in
the amount of $5,000.00 made payable to the order of the Vista Unified School District. Said
check or bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract if given the
award, and in the case of refusal or failure to enter into a contract within five (5) days after being
requested to do so by the District, the check or bond, as the case may be, shall be forfeited to
the Vista Unified School District. If the proposal is not accepted within sixty (60) days after the
time set for the opening of bids, or if the successful bidder executes and delivers said contract
within the specified time, the certified checks or bonds will be returned. Bid will be rejected
without Bid Bond.
7. ADDENDA OR BULLETINS: Any addenda or bulletins issued by the District during the time of
bidding or forming a part of the documents issued to the bidder for the preparation of the bid shall
be covered in the bid and shall be made a part of the Contract. Addenda(s) will be available
online at https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing
8. WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS: Any bidder may withdraw their bid, either personally by a written
request at any time prior to the schedules time for opening of bid, but not after.
4

9. OPENING OF BIDS: Bids will be opened at the time and place schedules in the NOTICE TO
BIDDERS published in the Daily Journal newspaper. Bids shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope
which bears the description of the bid number, the name of the bidder, and date and hour of
opening. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to see that the bid is received in proper
time. Any bids received after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids shall be returned to
the bidder unopened.
10. AWARD OR REJECTION OF BIDS: The District reserves the right to award the contract as a
lot or on an individual basis to the lowest responsible bidder best meeting specifications and bid
requirements, with past performance and other options as set forth in the bid documents taken
into consideration. The District shall take into account the performance of the bidder with respect
to any recent contract(s) with the District and other school districts. The Governing Board of the
District, however, reserves the right to reject any one or all bids, to waive informalities in the bids
or in the bidding, to judge the merit and qualifications of the material, equipment, and services
offered, and to accept whatever bid is deemed to be the lowest responsible bid meeting all the
criteria specified in the bid.
11. WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS AFTER OPENING: No bidder may withdraw their bid for a period of
sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening thereof.
12. PROTESTS BY BIDDERS: A bidder may protest a bid award if he/she believes that the award
was inconsistent with District policy or the bid's specifications or was not in compliance with law.
A protest must be filed in writing with the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services within
five working days after receipt of notification of the bid opening. The bidder shall submit all
documents supporting or justifying the protest. A bidder's failure to timely file a protest shall
constitute a waiver of his/her right to protest the award of the contract. Any bidder submitting a
Bid Proposal may file a protest of the District's intent to award the Contract provided that each
and all of the following conditions are met:
a. The protest must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
(e-mail is not acceptable), before 4 p.m. of the FIFTH business day following bid opening.
b. The initial protest document must contain a complete statement of any and all bases for the
protest, including without limitation all facts, supporting documentation, legal authorities and
argument in support of the grounds for the bid protest; any matters not set forth in the written
bid protest shall be deemed waived. All factual contentions must be supported by competent,
admissible and creditable evidence
c. The protest must refer to the specific portions of all documents which form the bases for the
protest.
d. The protest must include the name, address and telephone number of the person
representing the protesting party.
e. Any bid protest not conforming to the foregoing shall be rejected by the District as invalid.
Provided that a bid protest is filed in strict conformity with the foregoing, the Assistant
Superintendent of Business Services, or such individual(s) as may be designated by him/her,
shall review and evaluate the basis of the bid protest. Either the Assistant Superintendent of
Business Services or other individual designated by him/her shall provide the bidder
submitting the bid protest with a written statement concurring with or denying the bid protest.
5

The District's Board will render a final determination and disposition of a bid protest by taking
action to adopt, modify or reject the disposition of a bid award as reflected in the written
statement of the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services or his/her designee. Action
by the District's Board relative to a bid award shall be final and not subject to appeal or
reconsideration by any officer of the District's Board. The rendition of a written statement by
the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services (or his/her designee) and action by
District's Board to adopt, modify or reject the disposition of the bid award reflected in such
written statement shall be express conditions precedent to the institution of any legal or
equitable proceedings relative to the bidding process, the District's intent to award the
Contract, the District's disposition of any bid protest or the District's decision to reject all Bid
Proposals.
f. The procedure and time limits set forth in this paragraph are mandatory and are the Bidder's
sole and exclusive remedy in the event of bid protest. Failure to comply with these procedures
shall constitute a waiver of any right to further pursue the bid protest, including filing a
Government Code Claim or legal proceedings
13. AGREEMENT: The form of agreement, which the successful bidder, as contractor, will be
required to execute, is included in the contract documents and should be carefully examined by
the bidder. The complete contract consists of the following documents: The Notice to Bidders,
the Bid Instructions and Conditions, the Accepted Bid, the Specifications, and the Agreement,
including all modifications. All of the above documents are intended to cooperate and be
complementary so that any instructions or requirements called for in one and not mentioned in
the other, or vice versa, are to be executed the same as if mentioned in all said documents. The
intention of the documents is to include all labor, materials, equipment, transportation and
services necessary for the proper delivery and installation of all items called for in the Contract.
14. INTERPRETATION OF DOCUMENTS: Any person contemplating submitting a bid for the
proposed contract, who is in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the specifications or other
proposed contract documents, or finds discrepancies in, or omissions from the specifications,
should email the Purchasing Department: kevinlesko@vistausd.org to request an interpretation
or correction thereof. The district requires that such request be in writing, in which case the person
submitting the request will be responsible for its prompt delivery. Any interpretation or correction
of the proposed documents will be made only by Addendum duly issued by said department
and a copy of such Addendum will be emailed or delivered to each person receiving a set of such
documents. The district will not be responsible for any other explanation or interpretation of the
proposed documents. RFI deadline is June 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Responses will be given by
June 5, 2026 by end of business day.
15. BIDDERS INTERESTED IN MORE THAN ONE BID: No person, firm, or corporation shall be
allowed to make or file or be interested in more than one bid for the same work, unless alternate
bids are called for. A person, firm, or corporation submitting a sub-proposal to a bidder, or who
has quoted prices on materials to a bidder, is not thereby disqualified from submitting a sub-
proposal or quoting prices to other bidders.
16. EQUAL BIDS: When bids are equal, they shall be awarded by a drawing of lots and shall be
witnessed by three (3) impartial observers.
17. LIQUIDATES DAMAGES: The Vista Unified School District shall hold the successful bidder
liable and responsible for all damages that may be sustained because of his failure to comply
with any conditions herein. If the successful bidder fails to furnish or deliver any material,
6

supplies, equipment or services at the prices quoted, or at the times and places stated, or
otherwise fails to comply with the terms of the documents in their entirety, the Vista Unified School
District may purchase the items herein specified elsewhere, without notice to the successful
bidder. Additional costs accrued by the District through this purchase may be deducted from
unpaid invoices or must be paid to District by the successful bidder. Prices paid by the District
shall be considered the prevailing market prices at the time such purchase is made.
When, in the opinion of the Director of Transportation, the contractor, at any time during the period
of this contract, fails to perform satisfactorily the work required under this contract, or otherwise
fails to comply with the terms of this contract the District may:
a. Deduct applicable liquidated damages as specified in the contract for the service in fault
and pay the remaining balance due to the contractor or
b. Withhold progress payments or end of the month payments or both, to the contractor.
Said payments may be withheld until the contractor satisfies the Director of Transportation that
service was rendered and satisfactory to this contract.
Late service is defined as service provided that is more than fifteen (15) minutes but less than
forty-five (45) minutes in excess of schedule. Drivers shall notify the District's dispatcher
whenever it appears that they will be ten (10) minutes or more behind the scheduled time in
arriving at their destination.
The District reserves the right to assess against the contractor as liquidated damages a sum for
late service. This sum shall not exceed sixty percent (60%) of the full charge for assigned trip(s).
It is computed at the rate of one percent (1%) per minute of full charge. If the contractor is late
in excess of forty-five (45) minutes of departure schedule, the District may, without further notice,
rescind the contract and secure the service elsewhere.
Contractor will be liable for the difference of the cost of such substitute transportation over the
contract price and any other pecuniary damage that might reasonably be expected to result from
contractor's non-performance.
Charter Bus Service Breakdowns or Mechanical Failures: A discount on charges will be
reflected on invoice if a breakdown occurs in route or if contractor does not arrive within 30
minutes of scheduled departure time or arrival. Contractor will deduct the total cost of any other
contractor's charter service or rental of other vehicles required to complete the trip or other
expenses incurred to deliver or pick up passengers, whichever is less.
In any event that contractor fails to furnish transportation when requested under the terms of this
contract, contractor will be liable for any pecuniary loss suffered by the District as a result of
contractor's non-performance which reasonably can be expected to flow from contractor's
nonperformance including but not limited to the cost above the contract price of obtaining or
furnishing substitute transportation. In the event substitute transportation is furnished by the
District, the contractor agrees to be liable for the wages of the District employee(s) used in
furnishing such substitute transportation and a reasonable rental value of the District vehicles
used plus gas and oil if not included in the rental value and any other loss suffered by the District
as a result of the contractor's non-performance.
7

18. RESTRICTED BID: Only those companies fully licensed, equipped and experienced in the work
being performed, with skilled personnel immediately available, able to obtain necessary
components immediately, shall be considered qualified bidders for this contract.
19. PUBLIC LIABILITY AND PROPERTY INSURANCE: Successful bidder shall maintain during
the life of this contract Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance to protect themselves and
the District from all claims for personal injury, including accidental death, as well as from all claims
for Property Damage arising from the operations under this Contract. The minimum amounts of
such insurance shall be as hereinafter set forth. Successful bidder will be required to furnish
certificated of insurance for liability and worker's compensation prior to start of work. If renewal
occurs during the life of the contract, contractor must submit new certificate(s) prior to expiration
of current policy.
Insurance shall be procured from a company or companies lawfully authorized to do business in
California. Insurance may not be canceled without giving the District at least thirty (30) day-
notice. Lapse of insurance coverage or failure to furnish proof of such coverage as required by
this contract is a material breach of this contract.
Amounts of Insurance: Bodily Injury and Accidental Death Liability Insurance including auto (both
owned and non-owner): Not less than $5,000,000 combined single limit or $1,000,000 per
person, $5,000,000 per accident.
Property Damage Liability Insurance including auto (both owned and non-owned): Not less than
$5,000,000 per loss.
Physical Abuse, Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Molestation Liability Insurance with limits not less
than $1,000,000 per occurrence, aggregate $3,000,000.
Insurance certificate(s) must name Vista Unified School District as additional insured.
Certificate(s) to be submitted by successful bidder prior to start of work.
20. TERM OF AGREEMENT: The term of this agreement will be for three (3) years starting July 1,
2026 through June 30, 2029.
21. CONTRACT RENEWALS: If mutually agreeable, the District reserves the right to renew the
contract for a period of two (2) successive years. This renewal is contingent upon competitive
pricing and upon all terms and conditions of the original contract having been met to the
satisfaction of the District. Such renewal will be made by notifying the contractor, in writing, thirty
(30) days prior to the expiration of the contract.
22. ORDERS: Orders will be placed on an as-needed basis by the Director of Transportation or
authorized designee.
23. HOLD-HARMLESS CLAUSE: Bidder shall indemnify and hold Vista Unified School District, its
officers, agents, and employees harmless from and against any and all loss, liability and expense
(including Attorney's fee) or any nature or kind whatsoever, on account of use by the publisher or
author, manufacturer or agent of any copyrighted invention, article or appliance furnished or used
under this quotation.
8

24. TOBACCO-FREE DISTRICT: The Vista Unified School District has been designated as a
tobacco free District. Tobacco use (smoked or smokeless) vaping, and e-cigarette use is
prohibited at all times on all areas of District property and in contractor's vehicles.
25. NON-COLLUSION DECLARATION: Proposers are required to submit the Non-Collusion
Bidder's Declaration Form with their bid.
26. IRS REQUIREMENT: As defined by California Assembly Bill 5, The District shall view the legal
position of the bidder as an "independent contractor" and that all persons employed to furnish
services are employees, agent or officers of the bidder and not of the District. The District shall
not be liable for any of the contractor's acts or omissions performed under the contract to which
the bidder is party. The bidder will complete IRS form W-9 providing taxpayer identification
number and indicate whether bidder is a corporation, sole-proprietor, partnership, individual, etc.
The form must be on file with the District within thirty (30) days from the date of the contract start
date.
27. FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENTS: The District has determined under Education Code
section 45125.1, subdivision (c) that in performing services pursuant to this Agreement,
Contractor's employees may have contact with pupils. As required under Education Code section
45125.1, subdivision (a), Contractor shall require their employees who will provide services
pursuant to the Agreement to submit their fingerprints in a manner authorized by the Department
of Justice together with a fee determined by the Department of Justice together in order to conduct
a criminal background check to determine whether such employees have been convicted of or
have charges pending for a felony as defined under Education Code section 45122.1. Contractor
shall not permit any employee to perform services who may come in contact with pupils under
this agreement until the Department of Justice has determined that the employee has not been
convicted of a felony or has no criminal charges pending for a felony as defined in Section
45122.1
Contractor shall certify in writing to the Governing Board of the District to the attention of Kevin
Lesko, Purchasing Manager, 1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084, that all of its employees who
may come in contact with pupils have not been convicted of or have no criminal charges pending
for a felony, as defined in Education Code section 45122.1. Contractor will provide a listing of
employees who may come in contact with pupils.
Contractor shall defend, indemnify, protect and hold the District and its agents, officers and
employees harmless from and against any and all claims asserted or liability established for
damages or injuries to any person or property which arise from or are connected with or are
caused or claimed to be caused by Contractor's failure to comply with all of the requirements
contained in Education Code section 45122.1, including but not limited to, the requirement
prohibiting Contractor from using employees who may have contact with pupils who have been
convicted or have charges pending for a felony as defined in Education section 45122.1.
CANCELLATION FOR INSUFFICIENT OR NON-APPROPIATED FUNDS: The bidder herby
agrees and acknowledges that monies utilized by the district to purchase this service is public
money appropriated by the State of California or acquired by the district from similar public
sources ad is subject to variation. The District fully reserves the right to cancel this bid at any
time and/or to limit service due to non-availability or non-appropriation of sufficient funds.
9

FURNISHING EXTRA-CURRILAR TRANSPORTATION FOR GROUPS OF STUDENTS
BID #V2526022B
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
VEHICLES AND INSPECTION
The contractor shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, policies, and ruling of the state
and federal environment quality agencies related to the use, maintenance, safe operation, condition,
and suitability for transporting school district students of vehicles at all times. All vehicles being used
under this bid are to be certified school or School Pupil Activity Bus (SPAB).
When requested by the District the contractor will furnish the District proof in the form of school bus
inspection reports or SPAB reports that all school buses and coaches used to transport students
have been inspected by the California Highway Patrol and meet all rules and regulations of the
California Vehicle Code, California Education Code and the California Department of Education for
school buses, if applicable. All students must be seated as provided for in the Education Code.
Contractor agrees to maintain a satisfactory rating with Motor Carrier of California Highway Patrol.
Failure to submit this rating shall be justification for immediate exclusion from the contract and
submission of such bid will be deemed as non-responsive. Contractor must furnish proof of this
rating with submission of bid documents.
Preceding paragraph does not apply to motor vehicles subject to and meeting all of the requirements
of the Public Utilities Commission, operated by carriers operating under the jurisdiction of the Public
Utilities Commission as provided for in the Education Code section 39830.
ACCIDENT PROCEDURE
In case of accident, it shall be the responsibility of the contractor to first notify the California Highway
Patrol and second, notify the Transportation Department at (760) 726-2170 ext. 92805 or ext. 92806
or notify the Transportation Director at (760) 805-1996.
It shall be the responsibility of the Transportation Department to notify the District's Business Services
Office. Within twenty-four (24) hours after the accident, the contractor shall furnish a written report
of the accident to the Transportation Department.
SCHOOL PUPIL ACTIVITY BUS AND DRIVER REGULATIONS (SPAB):
All drivers are to be fully certified school bus or SPAB operators with the necessary license and
credentials. All drivers are required to be registered in the FMCSA Clearinghouse program. When
the District requires this type of bus and driver, the District retains the right to inspect both driver and
buses to insure these requirements are met before leaving the school.
Passenger restraint systems, emergency procedures and passenger safety must adhere to California
Education Code 39831.5.
Drivers must drive in a careful, prudent manner, exercising the highest degree of care at all times
and observing and complying all mandated rules of the road and traffic regulations. All contract bus
drivers will present themselves in a professional manner with both students and staff. Drivers must
10