NEEDHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
May 2026
INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)
TOWN OF NEEDHAM
SCHOOL DEPARTMENTS
School Bus Transportation Services
IFB # 27SCH009G
The Needham Public Schools invite sealed bid proposals for School Bus Transportation Services.
The IFB covers the three-year period beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with two optional
extensions through June 30, 2031. Invitation for Bid packages will be available from the Office of the Assistant
Superintendent for Finance and Operations, 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492, or may be
downloaded from http://www.needhamma.gov/bids.aspx beginning May 14, 2026, 9:00 AM.
Bids are returnable to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, 1330
Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 no later than June 1, 2026 10:00 AM, at which time and place they
will be publicly opened. LATE PROPOSALS will not be accepted. The Town reserves the right to reject any
and all bids as determined to be in the interests of the Town and to waive minor informalities.
Bids will be awarded by the Needham School Committee.
Daniel E. Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
Town of Needham
Needham, Massachusetts
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Primary Procurement
Contact
Event
Title
Contract Number
IFB Available
Pre-Bid Meeting
Deadline for Written
Questions
Needham Public Schools
Procurement in Brief
Melane Bisbas
School Business and Operations Coordinator
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
781-455-0400 x 11204
melane_bisbas@needham.k12.ma.us
Date
Details
School Bus Transportation Services
27SCH009G
Invitation for Bid packages are
available from the Office of the
Assistant Superintendent for
Finance and Operations, 1330
Highland Avenue, Needham, MA
02492, or may be downloaded
from
http://www.needhamma.gov/bids.
May 14, 2026, 9:00 AM
aspx.
Bidders who access bid materials
from the Town’s website are
responsible for acknowledging
receipt of those materials using
the Acknowledgement of Receipt
form found in Appendix G and
for checking the website
periodically for any addenda that
may be issued.*
Needham Public Schools
May 19, 2026 10:00 AM
Administration Building
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
Questions must be submitted in
writing, via fax, email or US post
to:
Melane Bisbas
May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM
Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham Public Schools will not
respond to questions submitted after the
above date.
Needham, MA 02492
Melane_Bisbas@needham.k12.
ma.us
Oral communications are not
binding on the School
Department. Responses to
questions submitted in writing
will be forwarded to all persons
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Addenda
When and Where are Bids
Due?
Number of Required Copies
Bid Opening
Bid Surety (Bond)
Requirements
Contract Award
Contract Length
on record as having received the
IFB.
If any changes are made to this IFB, an addendum will be issued. Addenda will
be mailed or faxed or emailed to all bidders on record as having received the
IFB. Addenda also will be posted to the Town of Needham bid website at
http://www.needhamma.gov/bids.aspx.
Bids are due to the Office of the
Assistant Superintendent for
Finance and Operations,
Needham Public Schools, 1330
Highland Avenue, Needham, MA
02492 by the due date and time.
June 1, 2026 10:00 AM
LATE PROPOSALS will not be
accepted.
If, on the bid due date, the above
office is closed due to
uncontrolled events such as fire,
snow, ice, wind, or building
evacuation, the bid opening will
be postponed to the next normal
business day (M-F, excluding
holidays.) Bids will be accepted
at the same location until that date
and time.
One original + 2 copies of all
forms
June 1, 2026 10:00 AM
Bids will be publicly opened.
Interested parties are invited to
attend the bid opening.
Required
Award will be made within 90 business days after the bid opening.
Three Years with Two One-Year Possible Extensions.
Upon Award of Contract
Performance Bond
Required
Prevailing Wage
Required
Insurance
Refer to Contract Terms
* Bid Acknowledgement
It is recommended (but not required) that bidders acknowledge receipt of the bid package using the
Acknowledgement of Receipt form found in Appendix G. Bidders who complete and return this
acknowledgement will be entered as a bidder of record in the Bid Distribution Register, thereby ensuring that
they will receive notification of any addenda or answered questions related to this bid. Bidders who do not
complete and return the Acknowledgement Form are responsible for checking the website regularly for any
addenda that are issued to this bid.
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NEEDHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
May 2026
School Bus Transportation Services
INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)
#27SCH009G
I. INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
1. Questions:
Bidders must read these specifications carefully. Questions about the specifications shall be submitted in
writing via email or U.S. post to the address specified below, no later than May 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Needham Public Schools will not respond to questions submitted after that date.
Melane Bisbas
School Business and Operations Coordinator
Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
Melane_Bisbas@needham.k12.ma.us
Bidders also take note that ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT. The School Department will respond to all questions submitted in writing and will
forward responses to all persons on record as having received the IFB.
2. Downloading Bid Documents from the Town of Needham website
Bid documents, including addenda, may be downloaded from the Town of Needham website at
http://www.needhamma.gov/bids.aspx. Bidders who access bid materials from the Town’s website are
responsible for acknowledging receipt of those bid materials using the Acknowledgement of Receipt
form found in Appendix G and for checking the website periodically for any addenda that may be
issued.
3. Bid Acknowledgement
It is recommended (but not required) that bidders acknowledge receipt of the bid package using the
Acknowledgement of Receipt form found in Appendix G. Bidders who complete and return this form
will be recorded in the Bid Distribution Register, thereby ensuring that they will receive notification of
any addenda or answered questions related to this bid. Bidders who do not complete and return the
Acknowledgement Form are responsible for checking the website regularly for any addenda that are
issued to this bid.
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4. Bid Addenda
If any changes are made to this IFB, an addendum will be issued. Addenda will be mailed, faxed or
emailed to all bidders on record as having received the IFB. Addenda also will be posted to the Town of
Needham bid website at http://www.needhamma.gov/bids.aspx.
5. Pre-Bid Conference
A pre-bid will take place on May 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Needham Public Schools Administration
Building, 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham MA 02492.
6. When and Where are Bids Due?
Bids will be received by the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Needham Public
Schools, 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492, until June 1, 2026 10:00 AM, at which time
and place they will be publicly opened.
7. Unexpected Closure or Delays
If, at the time of the scheduled bid submission deadline, the designated location for delivery of the bid is
closed due to uncontrollable events such as fire, snow, ice, wind or building evacuation, the bid opening
will be postponed to the next normal business day (M-F, excluding holidays at the same designated
time.) Bids will be accepted at the same location until that date and time.
8. Late Submissions
Bids received after the date and time specified shall not be considered. The Town of
Needham assumes no responsibility for late submissions due to mail, courier or delivery delays.
9. Submission Requirements
A. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the title of the bid and name of
the bidder. If the bid is being sent by U.S. mail, the sealed bid envelope must be enclosed within a
separate, sealed mailer envelope.
B. Bids are to be prepared and submitted on the bid forms provided herein. Bids submitted on other
forms, which are incomplete, or which are not signed, may be rejected.
C. A bid must be signed as follows: 1) if a bidder is an individual, by him/her personally; 2) if the
bidder is a partnership, by the name of the partnership, followed by the signature of each general
partner; and 3) if the bidder is a corporation, by the authorized officer, whose signature must be
attested to by the Clerk/Secretary of the corporation and the corporate seal affixed.
D. Provide ONE ORIGINAL + 2 COPIES of the following items, completed in full and appropriately
signed:
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
