School Bus Transportation, addenda 1 issued

City of Lowell Purchasing Department

City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Room 60

Lowell, Massachusetts 01852

Project Name: INVITATION FOR BIDS SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION

RFP No.: 26-33

Date: November 17, 2025

Buyer: P. Michael Vaughn

Tel. No.: 978-970-4110

Fax No.: 978-970-4114

Email: pmvaughn@lowellma.gov

SECTION I. GENERAL CONDITIONS

A. SCOPE

1. The successful bidder shall provide all equipment, labor and materials required to transport students to the various schools within the City of in accordance with the specifications.

2. The contract shall include all labor, materials, tools, equipment and services required for the proper performance of the work as specified hereinafter and as may be required for proper completion of the work in accordance with the highest standards of the trade or trades involved.

3. The Lowell Public Schools shall have "priority" use of the vehicles in the bus fleet to meet all of the Lowell Public Schools transportation requirements set forth in these specifications.

4. Contract is subject to annual appropriation.

B. BID REQUIREMENTS:

1. Deadline for questions relative to the specifications will be at the end of the business day of Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

2. Each bidder shall return one (1) original hard copy and one (1) electronic copy of their bid per SECTION V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. Bidders shall furnish all information requested on the bid proposal forms. A corporation must affix the corporate seal to the bid proposal.

3. Sealed proposals are due and will be publicly opened on: January 14, 2026 at City Hall in the Purchasing Department, Room 60, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852, at 11:00 AM, EST/EDST, for the work described herein

C. COMPETENCY OF BIDDERS:

It is the purpose of the Lowell Public Schools not to award a contract to any bidder who does not furnish evidence satisfactory to the Lowell Public Schools that it has the ability and experience in School Bus Transportation Services, that it has sufficient capital, that it has available through ownership or lease duly licensed school buses of the number, type, year, and passenger accommodations specified, and that it employs trained and duly licensed drivers to enable it to perform the work to the satisfaction of the Lowell Public Schools.

1. Bidders shall submit pertinent information related to personnel and facilities to establish the degree of ability to perform the transportation agreement, by providing a statement as to, but not necessarily limited to, the information required by the Lowell Public Schools as to bidders business experience.

2. Each bidder shall submit with their bid a listing of recent work performed within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the size equal to or greater than the work being bid.

3. Bidders may further be required to submit the following pertinent information:

• A bank credit letter of reference from the bidder’s principal financial institution.

• Accident records for the previous three (3) years prepared by and submitted directly to the City of Lowell Chief Procurement Officer by the insurance carrier.

The Lowell Public Schools reserves the right to investigate the financial responsibility of any and all bidders to determine what assurance the owner may have of subsequent service. It further reserves the right to withhold the awarding of any contract under its jurisdiction when the bidder is unable to furnish satisfactory evidence of adequate ability, experience or capital to execute the completion of a project in accordance with the prescribed requirements, specifications and conditions of the Bid documents.

The Lowell Public Schools, acting through its authorized representatives, shall be the sole judge of the qualifications of the bidder.

D. DURATION:

The contract shall be for the period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029 with the of two (2) additional one (1) year contract extensions beginning July1, 2029 and ending June 30, 2030 and beginning July 1, 2030 and ending June 30, 2031. The contract will be canceled if funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support the continuation of the agreement after the first fiscal year. The Lowell Public Schools reserves the right to allocate funds and make appropriations as it deems in its best interest.

E. INSURANCE:

1. The successful bidder shall obtain and maintain during the life of the contract such Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance as shall protect them from claims for damages for personal injury, including accidental death, as well as from claims for property damage, which may arise from operations under this contract, whether such operations be by their self or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by them and the amount of such insurance shall be as follows:

• PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE: Successful bidder to supply the Lowell Public Schools with certificates of insurance covering public liability in an amount not less than $1,000,000 to any one person, and not less than $5,000,000 on account of any one accident. This coverage shall include an endorsement for abuse and molestation, including coverage for negligence arising from the employment, training, supervision, investigation and reporting in regard to incidents of abuse and molestation.

• PROPERTY DAMAGE INSURANCE: Successful bidder to supply the Lowell Public Schools with certificates of insurance covering property damage in an amount not less than $100,000 for each vehicle used.

• WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE: Successful bidder to supply not less than the statutory limitations on all employees working under the provisions of the contract.

2. Failure to provide and continue in force such insurance as aforesaid shall be deemed a material breach of the contract and shall be cause for an immediate termination thereof.

3. The "Certificate of Insurance" which must be submitted to the Lowell Public Schools by the successful bidder evidencing the existence of the insurance required shall contain the following language:

“No cancellation of or change or revision in the insurance by the Insurer or the Insured, the existence of which Insurance is evidenced by this certificate, shall be valid unless written notice thereof is given to the Secretary, Lowell School Committee, 155 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852, at least thirty (30) days prior to the intended date of cancellation, change or revision, by mail, postage prepaid and evidenced by a return receipt - or - if the insurance is canceled, the contract is null and void.”

4. The successful bidder shall, at the time of executing the contract, and on or before January 1st of each year of the contract thereafter, furnish the Lowell Public Schools with a certificate indicating it has complied with the insurance requirements as set forth in this specification. The certificate shall contain the provision to notify the Secretary of the Lowell School Committee thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation or termination of the insurance coverage as specified.

F. ASSUMPTION OF LOSS AND LIABILITY:

1. The successful bidder agrees that it shall pay for or cause to be paid for all labor performed or furnished (unless otherwise awarded), all materials used or employed in the performance of the work under this contract, and all rental or hire of appliances and equipment employed in such work.

2. Any school property damaged by the successful bidder in carrying out the provisions of this contract shall be restored to its original condition by the successful bidder at his/her expense, and the materials and workmanship used must be first class in every respect. In the event of the failure of the successful bidder to make such repairs promptly to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Schools, the Lowell Public Schools may at its discretion direct that such repairs be made, that the cost of such repairs be charged against the successful bidder, and that any sum of money due the successful bidder be applied to meet the cost of such repairs.

3. The successful bidder is retained solely for the purpose and to the extent set forth in this agreement. During the term of the contract, the successful bidder's relationship to the Lowell Public Schools shall be that of an independent successful bidder. The successful bidder shall have no capacity to involve the Lowell Public Schools in any contract or to incur any liability on the part of the Lowell Public Schools.

G. REMEDIES OF THE LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

1. If the successful bidder fails to perform services or performs services in a manner which is not pursuant to the terms and conditions of this contract, the Lowell Public Schools may make any reasonable purchase or contract to purchase services in substitution for the service due from the successful bidder, and may deduct the cost of any substitute contract, or the damages sustained by the Lowell Public Schools due to non-performance or non-conformance of services, together with incidental and consequential damages from the contract price, and shall withhold such damages from sums due or to become due.

2. If the damages sustained by the Lowell Public Schools, as determined by the Superintendent of Schools, exceeds sums due or to become due, the successful bidder shall pay the difference to the Lowell Public Schools upon demand.

3. The successful bidder agrees that if it is determined at any time by the Lowell Public Schools that the successful bidder has substantially violated any of the provisions of this contract, the Lowell Public Schools shall, after having given the successful bidder a hearing before the Lowell School Committee, terminate this contract. Determination may be based on default in performance, non-conformity of performance, deficiency excused by failure or presupposed conditions, breach of the terms and conditions of this contract, failure in any respect to perform the service with promptness and diligence, bankruptcy, receivership or a general assignment for the benefit of successful bidder's creditors which impairs the value and service under this contract.

4. Any changes with respect to routes, stops or schedules or any instructions as detailed previously in this document which are not directly communicated to the successful bidder by Lowell Public Schools, are not authorized by the Lowell Public Schools and shall not be followed by the successful bidder, its’ drivers or other employees. The successful bidder shall be responsible for any violation of this paragraph including any violation by its drivers or other employees, whether or not done with the permission or knowledge of the successful bidder. In the event of such violation, the successful bidder shall be liable to the Lowell Public Schools for liquidated damages in the amount of $ 20.00 per student scheduled to be on that vehicle on that trip in which a violation occurs. The successful bidder agrees by submitting a bid that such a liquidated damage amount is a reasonable estimate of the actual damages. The successful bidder shall promptly pay such liquidated amount or such amount shall be deducted from any remuneration due the successful bidder.

H. LAWS AND PUBLIC POLICY:

1. This contract is made subject to all laws of the . Any clause, which does not conform to such laws, shall be void, and such laws shall be operative in lieu of such clause.

2. The successful bidder shall keep itself fully informed of and agrees to comply with pertinent Federal, State and Municipal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations in any manner affecting the services embraced in this contract.

3. The successful bidder shall procure all applicable permits, licenses, and approval necessary for the performance of services under this contract at the successful bidder's expense.

4. Upon request, the successful bidder shall provide documentation that their firm provides equal employment opportunity to persons of color and diverse cultural backgrounds.

I. PAYMENT:

1. Payment shall be made on the twentieth day of the month for all services provided during the preceding month, provided bills containing detailed information are filed in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer on or before the first day of the month in which payment is to be made and after approval of said bills by the Chief Financial Officer.

2. Compensation will be paid only for the days that work is performed and schools are in session.

3. No compensation shall be due or made by the Lowell Public Schools for non-conforming performance.

4. No payment shall be made for bus routes not operated during inclement weather, or for any other cause, which is the responsibility of the successful bidder.

5. The successful bidder shall be excused from liability for failure to perform when such failure is due to an act of God, the public enemy, fires, earthquakes or other similar cause beyond their control. Even though said successful bidder is legally excused, no payment will be made while such circumstances so mentioned exist.

6. Notwithstanding paragraphs 2,3,4, and 5 above, if any scheduled days for school do not occur due to school closure for any reason, City agrees to pay 44% of the contractual value for those routes, which were not driven, and which are not ultimately rescheduled, if such payment is authorized by the legislature for that specific school year.

7. If any vehicle arrives at a specified destination more than fifteen (15) minutes late, the per diem payment for said vehicle will be reduced by fifty (50%) percent unless the successful bidder has been excused as in the foregoing. The final decision to invoke said clause is that of the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.

8. Any and all mileage charges in excess of the sixty (60) miles per vehicle, per day, averaged over all vehicles, shall be submitted on a separate invoice, displaying beginning and ending mileage for each vehicle used during the course of the month and shall be submitted in a timely manner with regular monthly invoices.

J. BID SURETY:

Each bidder shall enclose with the bid proposal an acceptable bid bond or bid deposit in the amount of five (5) percent of the entire base bid (the grand total for services).

• BID BONDS must be issued by a surety company, qualified to do business in the , and payable to the Lowell Public Schools.

• CHECKS must be submitted in the form of a certified check, treasurer’s check or cashier’s check drawn on a responsible bank or trust company and made payable to the "Lowell Public Schools or (Name of Bidder)".

K. CONTRACT EXECUTION:

Should any bidder to whom an award is made fail to enter into a written contract within ten (10) days (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excluded) of written notification of such an award from the Lowell Public Schools or fail to furnish a performance bond within the time prescribed below, the amount so received from the bidder as a bid deposit, through bid bond, certified check, treasurer’s check or cashier’s check, shall become the property of the Lowell Public Schools, as liquidated damages for such failure.

L. PERFORMANCE BOND:

1. A performance bond guaranteeing the fulfillment of all terms and conditions of this contract and renewable annually in advance for the duration of the contract period in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the bid price for each year, and which is acceptable to and in favor of the Lowell Public Schools, shall be furnished and paid for by the successful bidder. Said performance bond shall be delivered to the Office of Finance and Operations of the Lowell Public Schools within twenty (20) calendar days following written notification of the bid award and prior to the first day of June for each succeeding year of the contract. Performance bonds must be renewed in an amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the bid price for the coming year. Should the successful bidder fail to deliver said performance bond, the Lowell Public Schools shall withhold any and all payments due said successful bidder, until such time as said performance bond has been received, or until such time as the amount withheld equals twenty five percent (25%) of the coming year's contract at which time the withheld funds will be transferred to an escrow account and held for performance security.

2. Bidders must verify their bonding capabilities prior to submitting any bid proposals. Prior to the award, bidders may be asked to submit such verification as proof of competency to execute the contract.

M. VEHICLE REGISTRATION/GARAGING:

1. All vehicles used in the performance of this contract shall be parked at the successful bidder's garage or parking lot when not in use for the transportation of Lowell Public Schools students. No vehicle will be parked on any public way within the City of Lowell overnight, on weekends, or between morning and afternoon trips.

N. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS:

1. Instructions to bidders, specifications, and bid proposal forms may be obtained at City of Lowell Purchasing Department, City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Room 60, Lowell, Massachusetts 01852.

2. Any request for clarification to, or relief from, the specifications, must be submitted in writing to the attention the Chief Procurement Officer, Purchasing Department’s office no later than the end of the business day on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.

3. Bids will be accepted by mail or in person at the address listed above until

11:00 a.m. on January 14, 2026. They will be opened and read aloud at that time. If, at the time of the scheduled bid opening the City of Lowell has declared a parking ban due to uncontrolled events such as snow, ice, wind, etc., the bid opening will be postponed until 11:00 a.m. on the next normal business day.

4. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, which is plainly marked on the face "BID FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR THE LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS", along with the name of the person, firm or corporation making such bid. The Lowell Public Schools will not be responsible for the premature opening of any bid not so marked.

5. All bids must be on the form of proposal and must conform to the specifications.

6. If any changes are made to the Invitation For Bids, an Addendum will be issued. Addenda will be mailed or faxed to all proposers on record as having received the Invitation For Bids.

7. A bidder may correct, modify or withdraw a bid by written notice received by the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations prior to the time and date set for the bid opening.

8. Modifications must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly labeled “BID FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION - MODIFICATION NO. _____”. Each modification must be numbered in sequence, and must reference the original Invitation For Bids.

O. GENERAL:

1. Any questions as to interpretations of these specifications shall be referred to the Chief Procurement Officer.

2. The contract will be awarded within fourteen (14 days after the bid opening unless the time for award is extended by mutual consent of the parties.

3. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days following the bid opening date.

4. The successful bidder may not assign, transfer or sublet this contract or work without the specific written consent of the Lowell Public Schools.

5. The Lowell Public Schools reserves the right to reject any or all bids or proposals or to accept the bids or part/parts thereof, including selecting a bidder whose bid or part/parts thereof is not the lowest, as the Lowell School Committee deems to be in the best interest of the City of Lowell.

6. The Lowell Public Schools reserves the right to reject any bid submitted by a bidder who has defaulted for reasons of non-performance on a transportation contract with the City of or with any other municipality within the past ten (10) fiscal years. The determination of whether a contract default occurred shall be made solely by the Lowell Public Schools.

7. For the purpose of evaluating bids, the Lowell Public Schools will consider the combined total of:

• The bid submitted in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 per day for sixty six (66) regular transportation vehicles each year multiplied by one hundred and eighty (180) days for a three year total;

• plus the bid submitted per day for ten (25) summer school vehicles each year multiplied by twenty (20) days for a three year total;

• plus the bid submitted for one hundred (100) extended school day (after school) trips each at a maximum of one hour per trip for a three year total;

• plus the bid submitted for two hundred (200) in-city athletic/field trip vehicles each year at a minimum of two hours per trip for a three year total;

• plus the bid submitted for two hundred (200) out-of-city athletic/field trip vehicles each year at sixty (60) miles round trip and three hours waiting time per trip for a three year total.

Please reference EXHIBIT C: BID PROPOSAL for a detailed breakdown.

8. It is understood and agreed by the Lowell Public Schools and the successful bidder that pursuant to the code of the City of Lowell, Section 20-11, a contract performance record form must be completed on the contract by the department head or his/her designee, who is supervising this contract, and such contract performance record form must be submitted to the City Manager, City Auditor, and Purchasing Agent prior to the release of the final payment under this contract. If requested by the successful bidder, a copy of the contract performance record form shall be furnished to the successful bidder.

SECTION II. SPECIFICATIONS

The purpose of these specifications is to permit qualified bidders to formulate costs and furnish bids to provide safe, reliable and economical student transportation for the Lowell Public Schools.

A. GENERAL:

1. The bidder agrees to furnish all transportation contemplated by the provisions hereof, including the "Notice to Bidders" attached and incorporated within. All specifications, clauses, addenda and supporting documents shall be deemed a part of and incorporated in the contract for school bus transportation services.

2. The contract shall include all labor, materials, tools and equipment, and services required for proper performance of the work as specified hereinafter and as may be required for the proper completion of the work in accordance with the highest standards of the trade or trades involved.

3. The successful bidder shall furnish transportation for all students of the City of Lowell, including those attending public, charter, private and parochial schools, as may be designated by the Lowell Public Schools.

4. For the purpose of this contract, all campuses of the of at are to be considered locations and will be assumed to be contained within the limits of the City of for calculation of transportation mileage and costs.

5. The Lowell Public Schools employed sixty-six (66) buses to transport approximately 7,000 students to and from regular school sessions. The total number of buses required in performance of this contract is not expected to exceed sixty six (66) buses annually. The actual number of buses used is subject to changes based upon the Lowell School Committee's walk/ride policies, the number of eligible students, and the availability of funds. The Lowell Public Schools reserves the right to add or delete from these numbers of vehicles as the Lowell Public Schools deems is in the best interest of the Lowell Public Schools. Additions or deletions to the contract will be at the same prices as in the base bid for regular transportation of the affected school year.

6. The successful bidder shall provide the following:

Transportation equipment, maintenance of equipment, fuel, oil, tires, emergency

servicing of equipment, duly licensed operators, supervision and monitoring of

employees, inspection, registration, licensing, insurance and in general

conformance to all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the City of Lowell and/or its School Committee and any and all other regulating agencies with jurisdiction over the transportation of school children.

7. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a written contract for a period of three (3) years with the option of two (2) additional one (1) year contract extensions exercised at the sole discretion of the Lowell Public Schools, subject to annual appropriation.

8. The successful bidder agrees to make available at no additional charge to the Lowell Public Schools, buses for each school to use in bus evacuations drills as required by M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 7B.

B. SCHEDULING/SCHOOL TIMES:

1. The school day shall be defined for transportation purposes as beginning from the time of the first pick-up and ending one and one-half (1.5) hours after the close of the last school.

2. No doubling up of routes shall be allowed either because of bus or driver shortage. Buses assigned by contract to the Lowell Public Schools will not be used for the transportation of any students or passengers other than those associated with the Lowell Public Schools without the written consent of the Lowell Public Schools.

3. School hours will be established by the Lowell School Committee. Buses will be scheduled so as to assure arrival of pupils not earlier than ten (10) minutes before or ten (10) minutes after school sessions begin and no vehicle shall arrive on school premises any earlier than ten (10) minutes before the session ends.

4. Buses shall be required, as directed by and at the times specified by the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director, to pick up students at their respective bus stops, transport the students to their designated schools or other sites, pick up the students at the schools or other sites to which they were transported and return the students to their respective stops.

5. A scheduled trip may be canceled by the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director or designee by notifying the successful bidder orally or in writing at or prior to 6:30 a.m. of the day on which the particular trip was to originate at the successful bidder's place of garaging (unless an emergency exists).

6. The Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director shall have the authority to make such changes as he/she deems necessary in adjusting the number of buses, assignment of pupils, groups or routes, time and dates, or any matter affecting the specific, individual needs of children.

7. The successful bidder shall furnish, at the same prices as in the base bid for regular transportation of the affected school year, such additional buses as may be ordered in writing by the Superintendent of Schools.

C. PUPILS:

1. Changes in the number of children on any route, increasing or decreasing the number of buses or new accommodations necessary for safe and convenient service may be adjusted by the Lowell Public Schools at the beginning of each school year, or at the time such adjustment is deemed by the Lowell Public Schools to be in the best interest of proper service.

2. Drivers will report all cases of student misbehavior on school buses and will handle all disciplinary matters in strict accordance with the policy established by the Lowell School Committee.

3. In no case will a driver eject a student from a bus for misbehavior or forbid a student from riding to or from school for misbehavior.

4. The successful bidder shall provide written reports of bus counts showing the numbers of pupils on each bus and on each bus trip, as well as the bus trip mileage. These reports will be required on two (2) consecutive days in September and at any other times as the successful bidder may be directed by the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director. Such pupil/mileage counts will be written on forms supplied by the Lowell Public Schools.

D. EQUIPMENT:

1. During the entirety of the contract, no vehicle shall be any older than six (6) years old per

manufacturer specifications. No vehicle use in fulfilling the requirements of this contract

shall have an odometer reading of more than 125,000 miles at any time during the

performance of the contract

One (1) of the buses must be equipped with a wheelchair lift and approved, universal

restraints to accommodate two (2) wheelchairs in each vehicle (see Attachment B – Lift

and Tie Down Specifications). These bus may serve as “spare bus” as referenced in

Section II, Letter D, Number 10 of the IFB. This one (1) bus may not serve as buses in

the daily fleet without the authorization of the Lowell Public Schools Transportation

Director.

2. The successful bidder shall maintain all of the buses subject to this specification and the equipment required thereon in good and working order during the entire term of the contract and any subsequent renewal thereof. Any and all vehicles shall be made available for inspection by the Lowell Public Schools or its designee upon request.

3. All buses available for use at the time of the bid or which are to be available for use at the start of the contract period or which are to be added after the submission of the bid, or any time during the length of the contract, must be Type D buses with a front mounted engine and a minimum seating capacity of seventy-seven (77) passengers, conforming to the standard specifications or better. The chassis and body must conform to all Federal Standards and fully meet or exceed all requirements of the (See Minimum Standards for School Bus Production).

4. All buses shall be constructed, equipped and maintained in conformance with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules of the Federal Government and Registry of Motor Vehicles. The attention of all concerned is particularly directed to the following sections of Chapter 90 of the General Laws of the :

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1A - School Bus Registration

Section 7A - Inspection of School Buses

Section 7B - Requirements as to Equipment and Operation of School Buses

Section 7C - Registrar may establish Minimum Standards for Construction, etc. of School Buses.

Section 14 - Precautions for Safety

Section 17 - Speed Limit in Operation of School Buses

5. Buses furnished must comply with the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles relating to the transportation of school children.

6. The successful bidder must submit with their bond and update annually, documentation identifying and detailing composition of the bus fleet to be used as of each of the following dates:

1. July 1, 2026

2. July 1, 2027

3. July 1, 2028

4. July 1, 2029

5. July 1, 2030

7. At all times the successful bidder shall keep buses in a condition of cleanliness, interior and exterior, and safe satisfactory to the sole discretion of the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director.

8. Carbon copies of reports of conditions of buses as determined at the time of inspection by the Registry of Motor Vehicles during the first week of January, March, May, August and November shall be presented to the Transportation Director no later than five days following the date of inspection.

9. There shall be no substitution of buses without permission of the Transportation Director for the duration of the contract, except in the case of emergency breakdown and then only for a period of time not exceeding five (5) consecutive days. All substitute buses shall be subject to all contract requirements.

10. The successful bidder shall provide sufficient buses for emergency use.

On-Call City Emergency: Five (5) buses

Spare bus fleet: Five (5) buses

Such buses shall comply with all provisions of this specification.

11. Each bus shall display prominently a number (letter) printed in black immediately to the left of the entrance door.

12. Each vehicle shall display prominently on both sides, the inscription “LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS" in lettering of a size and style to be approved by the Superintendent of Schools or her designee.

13. Each vehicle shall be equipped with a reflectorized automatic stop warning device with strobe lights mounted upon the left side of the bus, and shall only be activated to extend outward while picking up or discharging students. Such devises will be constructed with a break away hinge and will conform to all Federal, State, and Local Regulations.

14. All vehicles must be equipped with operating two-way radios and the successful bidder must maintain a manned base station at all times that students are being transported.

15. The successful bidder will be required to report the mileage of each vehicle used on a monthly basis. This reporting will be included with the monthly billing and all mileage reported shall come from hub odometers attached to the rear wheels of each vehicle.

16. If the Lowell Public Schools requires the successful bidder to install seat belts and/or other additional safety equipment or devices not listed herein, except as required by Statute or Federal or State Regulation, the added cost of such installation shall be a matter to be negotiated.

18. The 8-way school bus stop light system shall be equipped with strobe lights.

19. The outside driver rear view mirrors shall be heated.

20. Each vehicle shall be marked along each side and the rear perimeter with 3M reflective tape or equivalent, having the same reflective qualities as that of the 3M. “School Bus” signs on the front and rear of each vehicle shall be of 3M reflective material or equivalent, having the same reflective quality as that of the 3M tape.

21. Each vehicle shall be equipped with twelve (12) designated emergency exits including two ceiling hatches.

22. The rear emergency door of each vehicle shall be equipped with an audible device that requires that the driver walk the interior length of the vehicle prior to exiting the vehicle to disengage the audible device. These devices should be similar to those manufactured by “C.R.S.” and “Child Check Mate Systems.”

23. During the life of this contract, pursuant to Section 197 of Chapter 184 of the Acts of 2002, the City of Lowell, acting though its School Committee, reserves the right to vote to authorize and care out the sale of advertising on school buses provided by the successful bidder under this agreement. The successful bidder aggress that, upon such a vote, it shall cooperate with the School Committee in carrying out this advertisement program pursuant to said statute and regulation as my promulgated pertaining to such.

24. The successful bidder shall provide, install and maintain a GPS management solution in the each of the vehicles (regular, emergency and spare) used in performance of this contract. The system installed should be similar to those manufactured by Synovia (Silver lining). The successful bidder shall provide and install all necessary software and ensure continuous connection to the GPS solution form the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director for the duration of the contract at no additional cost to the Lowell Public Schools.

25. The rear emergency door of each vehicle shall be equipped with an audible device that requires that the driver walk the interior length of the vehicle prior to exiting the vehicle to disengage the audible device. These devices should be similar to those manufactured by “C.R.S.” and “Child Check Mate Systems.”

E. VIDEO SYSTEM:

1. The successful bidder shall supply and install in all vehicles to be used under the terms of this contract a video system equal to or exceeding the specifications of the “Provision” digital video system. Each bus used in performance of this contract shall have three (3) cameras installed at the expense of the successful bidder. The first camera shall be located in the front ceiling of the bus, centered above the driver, scanning the front and middle rows and sections of the bus. The second camera shall be located in the middle ceiling of the bus, and shall scan the middle and back rows and sections of the bus. The third camera shall be located in the rear ceiling of the bus and shall can the back and middle rows and section the bus. The digital video system selected is subject to final approval of the Lowell Public Schools before installation to ensure conformity with all specifications.

2. The hard drives provided and maintained by the successful bidder shall become the sole property of the Lowell Public Schools. Twenty (20) spare SD Cards shall be provided to the Transportation Director at no cost to the Lowell Public Schools.

3. Cameras and hard drives shall be used only in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Lowell Public Schools. All video image and audio recording are the sole property of the Lowell Public Schools. No video may be viewed prior to being turned over an authorized representative of the Lowell Public Schools.

4. The video system shall be supplied, installed and fully operable by July 1, 2026.

F. OPERATORS:

1. The successful bidder shall furnish fully and properly licensed drivers to operate any buses used in carrying out the transportation services provided for under the terms of this contract.

2. All persons assigned as regular or substitute drivers must be acceptable to the Superintendent of Schools prior to August 15th of each school year. The Superintendent of Schools and or designee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all drivers at any time during the contract period if it is deemed in the best interest of the Lowell Public Schools.

3. A list of licensed operators and substitute operators and the buses and routes to which they are assigned shall be furnished to the office of the Transportation Director at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the contract operations. The list shall contain the name, address, telephone number and evidence of negative tuberculosis and titer test for Varicella (chicken pox) as prescribed, and a photocopy of all applicable licenses for each individual on the list. All changes are to be reported in writing, to the office of the Director of Transportation, as they occur.

4. The drivers shall be of the highest moral character and not less than twenty-one (21) years of age and shall annually submit to and pass a physical fitness examination as required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Telecommunications and Energy and other state agencies prior to the opening of the school year. A similar additional examination may be given by a doctor of the Lowell Public Schools own choice and at its own expense whenever it so indicates in writing to the Successful bidder.

5. All drivers must allow the Lowell Public Schools to conduct a C.O.R.I. check on their record annually. The Successful bidder must submit EXHIBIT E: C.O.R.I. REQUEST FORM for every licensed operator and substitute operator along with a copy of their license five working days prior to the first day of transporting students in a school.

6. The successful bidder must provide documentation that each driver has been fingerprinted. A new employee can send their results to the Lowell Public Schools; however, a letter of suitability must be provided to the Personnel Office before an employee can drive for the Lowell Public Schools.

7. No person shall be allowed to ride any vehicle unless so authorized, in advance by the Transportation Director.

8. Drivers are expressly forbidden to smoke or drink any beverage at all times while on school buses.

9. Drivers must remain on their respective buses at all times while on school property, except in cases of emergency.

10. Drivers shall not leave a school bus unattended when passengers are on the bus.

11. Drivers may be required to participate in Bus Safety and Operator I.D. Programs sponsored by the Lowell Public Schools.

12. The successful bidder agrees to comply with the rules, regulations and requirements of Chapter 90, Section 8A, General Laws of Massachusetts, and amendments thereto, in respect to the licensing of school bus operators, which statutes indicate in part the "Applications for a license to be a school bus operator may be made by any person who shall have attained the age of twenty-one (21) years and who shall have been a duly licensed motor vehicle operator for a period of three (3) continuous years prior to his/her application; but before such a person shall be so licensed the Registrar shall be satisfied that he/she is of good moral character and has successfully completed a driving performance test, a visual test, and a physical examination by a licensed physician within a three month period of the date of his/her application in conformity with such minimum physical qualifications as shall be determined by the Registrar."

13. There shall be no substitution of operators except from among those whose names appear on the substitute list, except in an emergency, and then only for a period of time not to exceed five (5) working days. The emergency substitute, although not on the approved list, must meet all of the requirements delineated in the above paragraphs.

14. There is no Division of Occupational Safety rate of pay for school bus drivers based on the wages established in any operative collective bargaining agreements within the City of Lowell (See the attached letter from the Division of Occupational Safety).

15. The minimum wage rate as of July 01, 2026 will be $ 30.88 per hour. The minimum wage rate as of July 01, 2027 will be $ 31.38 per hour. The minimum wage rate as of July 01, 2028 will be $31.88 per hour. If at the sole discretion of the Lowell Public School an additional one (1) year contract extension is granted for the 2029/2030 school year, the minimum wage rate as July 1, 2029 will be $32.38 per hour. If at the sole discretion of the Lowell Public School an additional one (1) year contract extension is granted for the 2030/2031 school year, the minimum wage rate as July 1, 2030 will be $32.58 per hour. It is understood that during the term of this contract, the successful bidder will not decrease the hourly wage rate of bus drivers.

16. The successful bidder shall be liable for part 382 of the Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991 (controlled substances and alcohol use and testing) upon award of the contract.

17. No operator who has tested positive for alcohol or drug use and/or has had their driver’s license suspended or revoked for alcohol or drug related offenses within the previous five (5) years shall be permitted to operate any vehicle under the terms of this contract.

18. There shall be guaranteed preference in hiring and protection of all seniority rights for all drivers working under the terms of the existing Lowell Public School Transportation contract. Any new or additional drivers needed for the performance of this contract shall be added after current drivers are accommodated. Current drivers must conform to all policies, rules and regulations of the successful bidder.

19. Operators must be trained and remain certified in first aid/C.P.R. procedures prior to operating any vehicle under this contract. Further, at the sole discretion of the Lowell Public Schools, operators may be required to be trained and remain certified in the administration of an epi-pen prior to operating any vehicle under this contract.

20. No school bus shall be fueled while there are any pupils or passengers on the bus.

21. The successful bidder shall operate with an available reserve of not less than three (3) qualified substitute bus drivers to be on-site at all times. The substitute drivers shall be familiar with the current routes, school locations, start/stop times, and street locations within the City of Lowell.

G. ACCIDENTS:

The successful bidder shall report immediately after its occurrence, to the Director of Transportation, each and every accident or other incident or circumstances, which cause unavoidable delay, or in any way interferes with the performance of the agreement.

A complete and accurate written report must be submitted to the Transportation Director within twenty-four (24) hours following any accident or incident.

H. PERFORMANCE:

1. If for any reason vehicles cannot be operated on any school day, the successful bidder agrees to provide suitable insured transportation in place thereof, without additional charge to the Lowell Public Schools. The successful bidder further agrees to provide a replacement vehicle/parts within twenty (20) minutes of receiving notice of a disabled vehicle. In the event that the replacement vehicle is not provided within said timeframe, the successful bidder shall be liable to the Lowell Public Schools for the liquidated damages in the amount of $5.00 per minute for each minute over the specified twenty (20) minute vehicle response allowance. The twenty (20) minute vehicle response allowance shall begin at the time the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director or their designee contact the success bidder. The successful bidder shall have been deemed to provided the replacement vehicle upon arrival on scene at the disable vehicle’s location. The successful bidder shall receive written notice of instance of late vehicle response. The successful bidder agrees by submitting a bid that such a liquated damage amount is reasonable estimate of actual damages. The successful bidder shall promptly pay such liquidated amount or such amount shall be deducted from any remuneration due the successful bidder.

All replacement vehicles shall conform to the specifications contained herein.

2. In the event the successful bidder fails in the opinion of the Lowell Public Schools to furnish the vehicles required by contract, or fails to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the specification hereof, the Lowell Public Schools may:

a. Terminate this contract five (5) days after mailing a notice by certified mail to the successful bidder at the address set forth in the contract documents of its intention to do so, or;

b. Serve notice on the successful bidder to furnish the required materials, or;

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