REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE PROVISION OF BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS

BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR THE PROVISION OF
BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS
BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE
ISSUE DATE: September 10, 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 30, 2026 at 12pm
ADDRESS ALL PROPOSALS TO:
OFFICE OF THE BOROUGH CLERK
Municipal Building
360 Elkwood Avenue
NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY 07974

GENERAL INFORMATION & SUMMARY
ORGANIZATION REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS
BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE
360 ELKWOOD AVENUE
NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY 07974
CONTACT PERSON
BERNADETTE CUCCARO, BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR
908-665-1400
PURPOSE OF REQUEST
The BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE (the "BOROUGH") is soliciting Proposals
from interested persons and/or firms for the provision of bus transportation for calendar years
2027 and 2028, as more particularly described herein. Through a Request for Proposal process
described herein, persons and/or firms interested in assisting the BOROUGH with the provision
of such services must prepare and submit a Proposal in accordance with the procedure and
schedule in this RFP. The BOROUGH will review Proposals only from those persons and/or
firms that submit a Proposal which includes all the information required to be included as
described herein, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the BOROUGH. The
BOROUGH intends to qualify persons and/or firms that (a) possess the professional, financial
and administrative capabilities to provide the proposed services, and (b) will agree to work under
the compensation terms and conditions determined by the BOROUGH to provide the greatest
benefit to the taxpayers of New Providence. The services of successful Respondents may be
procured as soon as January 1, 2027.
DEFINED TERMS
The following definitions shall apply to and are used in this Request for Qualifications:
"BOROUGH" - refers to the BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE.
"Proposal" - refers to the complete responses to this RFP submitted by the Respondents.
"Qualified Respondent" - refers to a Respondent who (in the sole and absolute discretion of
the BOROUGH) has satisfied the qualification criteria set forth in this RFP.
"RFP" - refers to this Request for Proposals, including any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto.
"Respondent" or "Respondents" - refers to the interested persons and/or firm(s) that submit a
Proposal.
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CONTRACT FORM
If selected, a respondent shall be required to execute the BOROUGH's form contract,
which includes, among other things, indemnification, insurance, termination and licensing
provisions. A complete copy of a draft BOROUGH form contract is available upon request.
It is also agreed and understood that the acceptance of the final payment by a vendor shall
be considered a release in full of all claims against the BOROUGH arising out of, or by reason
of, the work done and materials furnished under the contract.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROPOSALS
BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS
1. BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE FACTS AND FIGURES - The BOROUGH
OF NEW PROVIDENCE is a legal, governmental entity. The BOROUGH was incorporated in
1899 and operates under N.J.S.A 40A:60-1, et seq., the borough form of government. The
BOROUGH is governed by a mayor and borough council. The Borough Council sets policy,
adopts the operating and capital budgets for the BOROUGH, enacts ordinances and sets the
direction of how the BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE will provide government services.
The Mayor is elected and is the chief executive. The Borough Administrator carries out the
policies adopted by the Mayor and Borough Council.
The BOROUGH's population is approximately 13,650 and it consists of approximately
4 square miles of area. The BOROUGH provides a full range of municipal services.
The BOROUGH's operating budget is approximately $14 million.
2. NATURE/ SCOPE OF SERVICES - The BOROUGH hereby solicits Proposals from
Respondents that have expertise in providing bus transportation to and from all day or partial day
trips. Distances and times will vary.
The contractor is required to adhere to and follow all regulations, executive orders and laws
regarding cleaning and sanitizing protocols that may be in effect during the term of the contract
as it relates to Covid-19 or any current health situations.
Specific requests are set forth as follows:
* Coach bus that accommodates 45 passengers comfortably
* Air-conditioned
* Bathroom
* TV/DVD Player
3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - Respondents must demonstrate satisfactory
experience in providing the services which the proposal seeks. Respondents should submit a
Proposal that contains the following:
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A. The name of the Respondent, the principal place of business and, if different, the
place where the services will be provided;
B. A description of Respondent's overall experience in providing the type of services
sought in the RFP. At a minimum, the following information on past experience
should be included as appropriate to the RFP: (i) description and scope of work by
Respondent; (ii) explanation of perceived relevance of the experience to the RFP;
and (iii) the education, qualifications, experience, and training of all persons who
would be assigned to provide services along with their names and titles;
C. A narrative statement of the Respondent's understanding of the BOROUGH's
needs and goals;
D. A listing of all other engagements where services of the types being proposed
were provided in the past five (5) years. Contact information for the recipients of
the similar services must be provided. The BOROUGH may obtain references
from any of the parties listed;
E. A listing of all immediate relatives of the principal(s) of Respondent who are
BOROUGH employees or elected officials of the BOROUGH. For purposes of
the above, "immediate relative" means a spouse, parent, stepparent, brother, sister,
child, stepchild, direct-line aunt or uncle, grandparent, grandchild, and in-laws;
An Affirmative Action Statement (sample language attached);
A completed Non-Collusion Affidavit (copy of form attached);
A completed Owner Disclosure Information form (copy of form attached);
A completed Disclosure Statement (copy of form attached);
A statement that the Respondent will comply with the General Terms and Conditions
required by the BOROUGH and enter into the BOROUGH's standard busing Contract;
A copy of the Respondent's Business Registration Certification.
A copy of the Respondent's W-9 and Business Registration Certification.
A completed Business Entity Disclosure Certification (copy of form attached)
A completed disclosure of Prohibited Activities in Russia-Belarus and Iran (copy of form
attached)
4. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Respondents should submit a financial proposal that
responds to the services requested in the RFP and includes the form below. In the form, the trips
previously scheduled for our Teen Venture Camp are listed. Please provide a quote for each trip
and your best estimate for these trips in 2027 and 2028. Note the following:
* All trips originate at 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974.
* All trips start at 9:00 a.m., unless indicated otherwise in form.
* Estimated return times are in form below.
* All trips are subject to change.
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For your reference, here are the locations for the sample trips:
Camel Beach - Tannersville, PA Mountain Creek - Vernon Township, NJ
Circle Line Cruise - New York, NY Palisades Mall - West Nyack, NY
Dorney Park - Allentown, PA Point Pleasant Beach - Pt. Pleasant, NJ
iPlay America - Freehold Township, NJ Top Golf/ Woodbridge Mall- Edison, NJ
TreeEscape- Vernon, NJ Six Flags- Jackson, NJ
BUS TRANSPORTATION: Dep. Est.
Time Return 2027 2028
Camel Beach 9:00am 6:00pm
Circle Line Cruise 9:00am 4:00pm
Dorney Park 9:00am 6:00pm
iPlay America 9:00am 4:00pm
TreeEscape 9:00am 4:00pm
Mountain Creek 9:00am 6:00pm
Palisades Mall 9:00am 4:00pm
Point Pleasant Beach 9:00am 4:00pm
Top Golf/Woodbridge Mall 9:00am 4:00pm
Six Flags 9:00am 6:00pm
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5. EVALUATION - The BOROUGH has structured a procurement process that seeks to
obtain the desired results described herein, while establishing a competitive process to assure that
each person and/or firm is provided an equal opportunity to submit a Proposal in response to the
RFP. The BOROUGH will select the most advantageous proposal(s), if any and as determined
in its sole and absolute discretion, based on all of the evaluation factors set forth at the end of this
RFP.
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the BOROUGH and its recreation, legal
and/or financial advisors (collectively, the "Review Team"). The Proposals will be reviewed to
determine if the Respondent has met the minimum professional, administrative and financial
areas and other requirements described in this RFP. Each Respondent must satisfy the objectives
and requirements detailed in this RFP. The successful Respondent shall be determined by an
evaluation of the total content of the Proposal submitted. Under no circumstances will a member
of the Review Team review responses to an RFP for an appointment that he/she or his/her firm
submitted a response. Based upon the totality of the information contained in the Proposal,
including information about the reputation and experience of each Respondent, the BOROUGH
will (in its sole and absolute discretion) determine which Respondents are qualified from a
professional, administrative and financial perspective. Each Respondent that meets the
requirements of the RFP (determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the BOROUGH) will
be designated as a Qualified Respondent and may then be given an opportunity to provide
services to the BOROUGH.
The RFP process commences with the issuance of this RFP. It is anticipated that certain
Qualified Respondents will be selected to begin providing services to the BOROUGH as soon as
January 1, 2027. There can be no assurance, however, that any Qualified Respondent will be
selected.
All communications concerning this RFP or the RFP process shall be directed, in writing,
to the BOROUGH's designated contact person:
Bernadette Cuccaro, Borough Administrator
BOROUGH OF NEW PROVIDENCE
360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, New Jersey 07974
6. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS - The BOROUGH reserves the right to:
a. Not select any of the proposals;
b. Select only portions of a particular Respondent's proposal for further
consideration (however, Respondents may specify portions of a proposal that they
consider "bundled");
c. Supplement, amend or otherwise modify the RFP through issuance of addenda to
all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of this RFP;
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d. Change or alter the schedule for any events called for in this RFP upon the
issuance of notice to all prospective Respondents who have received a copy of
this RFP;
e. Conduct investigations of any or all of the Respondents, as the BOROUGH
deems necessary or convenient, to clarify the information provided as part of the
Proposal and to request additional information to support the information included
in any Proposal; and
f. Suspend or terminate the procurement process described in this RFP at any time
(in its sole and absolute discretion). If terminated, the BOROUGH may determine
to commence a new procurement process or exercise any other rights provided
under applicable law without any obligation to the Respondents.
The BOROUGH shall be under no obligation to complete all or any portion of the
procurement process described in this RFP.
The BOROUGH shall not be obligated to explain the results of the evaluation process to
any person or entity, including, without limitation, any Respondent.
The BOROUGH may require Respondents to demonstrate any services described in their
proposal prior to award.
7. LIMITATIONS - This RFP is not an offer, order or contract and should not be
regarded as such, nor shall any obligation or liability be imposed on the BOROUGH by issuance
of this RFP. The BOROUGH reserves the right at the BOROUGH's sole discretion to refuse any
submission. This RFP does not constitute a Request for Proposal ("RFP") and does not commit
the BOROUGH to issue an RFP.
8. USE OF INFORMATION - Any specifications, drawings, sketches, models, samples,
data, computer programs, documentation, technical or business information and the like
("Information") furnished or disclosed by the BOROUGH to the respondent in connection with
this RFP shall remain the property of the BOROUGH. When in tangible form, all copies of such
Information shall be returned to the BOROUGH upon request. Unless such Information was
previously known to the respondent, free of any obligation to keep it confidential, or has been or
is subsequently made public by the BOROUGH or a third party, it shall be held in confidence by
the respondent, shall be used only for the purposes of this RFP, and may not be used for other
purposes except upon such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon in writing.
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9. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS -
The contractor that is awarded a contract shall secure, pay the premiums for and keep in force
until the contract expires, insurance of the types and amounts listed below:
General Liability -- $2,000,000.00 General Aggregate
$1,000,000.00 Personal Injury
$1,000,000.00 Each Occurrence
$50,000.00 Fire Damage
$5,000.00 Medical Expense
Proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance
The contractor must present to the Borough of New Providence an insurance certificate in the
above types and amounts before any work or service begins.
The contractor must include the following clause on the insurance certificate.
"The Borough of New Providence is named as an additional insured"
10. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS -
A. The BOROUGH reserves the right to reject any Proposal in whole or in part or to
waive any informalities in a Proposal, and, unless otherwise specified by the
respondent, to accept any item, items or services in the proposals should it be
deemed in the best interest of the BOROUGH to do so.
B. In case of the failure by a successful respondent to perform, the BOROUGH may
procure the articles or services from other sources, deduct the cost of the
replacement from money due to the respondent under the contract and hold the
respondent responsible for any excess cost occasioned thereby.
C. The respondent shall maintain sufficient insurance to protect against all claims
under Workmen's Compensation, General, Professional and Automobile Liability.
D. Each Proposal must be signed by the person authorized to do so.
E. Proposals shall be submitted in duplicate and may be hand delivered or mailed
consistent with the provisions of the legal notice to respondents. In the case of
mailed proposals, the BOROUGH assumes no responsibility for Proposals
received after the designated date and time and will return late Proposals
unopened. Proposals will not be accepted by facsimile or e-mail. Proposals shall
be in a sealed envelope, marked "Proposal for the Provision of Bus Transportation
for Recreation Programs." To be considered, proposals shall be delivered to or
received by the BOROUGH Clerk no later than 11 a.m. on September 30, 2026.
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F. Respondents are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et
seq. See attached Exhibit A.
G. By submission of a Proposal, the respondent certifies that the service to be
furnished will not infringe upon any valid patent, trademark or copyright and a
successful respondent shall, at its expense, defend any and all actions or suits
charging such infringement, and will save the BOROUGH harmless in any case
of any such infringement.
H. No respondent shall influence, or attempt to influence, or cause to be influenced,
any BOROUGH officer or employee to use his/her official capacity in any
manner which might tend to impair the objectivity or independence of judgment
of said officer or employee.
I. No respondent shall cause or influence, or attempt to cause or influence, any
BOROUGH officer or employee to use his/her official capacity to secure
unwarranted privileges or advantages for the respondent or any other person.
J. Should any difference arise between the contracting parties as to the meaning or
intent of these instructions or specifications, the Borough Counsel's decision shall
be final and conclusive.
K. All costs incurred by the Respondent in connection with responding to this RFP
shall be become solely by the Respondent. The BOROUGH OF NEW
PROVIDENCE shall not be responsible for any expenditure of monies or other
expenses incurred by the Respondent.
L. The checklist, affidavits, notices and the like presented at the end of this RFP are
a part of this RFP and shall be completed and submitted as part of a Proposal.
M. All Proposals shall become the property of the BOROUGH and will not be
returned.
N. All Proposals will be made available to the public at the appropriate time, as
determined by the BOROUGH (in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion)
and in accordance with law.
O. The BOROUGH may request Respondents to send representatives to the
BOROUGH for interviews with less than 24 hours advance notice.
P. Neither the BOROUGH, nor their respective staffs, consultants or advisors
(including, but not limited to, the Review Team) shall be liable for any claims or
damages resulting from the solicitation or preparation of the Proposal, nor will
there be any reimbursement to Respondents for the cost of preparing and
submitting a Proposal or for participating in this procurement process.
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END OF GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
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