IFB: Gaston County Schools Driver Education

April 13, 2026
Invitation to Bid
Gaston County Schools Driver Education
Notice is hereby given that the Gaston County Board of Education will, on the 24th
day of April, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Central Administrative Offices, 943 Osceola
Street, Gastonia, NC 28053, open bids for the following services.
Gaston County Schools Driver Education Training Services
All bids must be sealed and received by the Gaston County Board of Education
Attention: Chad Duncan, 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC 28053 on or before
3:00 PM April 24, 2026.
A copy of the bid documents will be made available for inspection Monday through
Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM in the office of Chad Duncan, Director of
Athletics, Arts, and Driver Education (Central Administrative Offices, 943 Osceola
Street, Gastonia, NC 28053). Bids will be submitted for all schools.
The Gaston County Board of Education has established, as a minimum standard,
that all driver education instructors shall be certified to teach driver education by
NCBSE in driver education or who meets the requirements established by the
NCBSE and NCDMV for non-certified status and who, to the satisfaction of school
system and contractor, are competent to educate and train students enrolled in
the program. In addition, the qualifications of the instructors employed by the
contractor to teach driver education under this agreement must be consistent with
N.C.G.S. 20-88.1, 115C-215 and 115C-216.
In addition to this minimum standard, certain other requirements addressing the
quality of the program shall be outlined in the Contract for Driver Education
Services. A copy of this document may be requested from the office of Chad
Duncan, Central Administrative Offices, 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC 28053.
The Gaston County Board of Education reserves the right to either reject or
confirm and accept any responsible bid. Chad Duncan will conduct the bidding.
April 13, 2026
Gaston County Board of Education
Morgen A. Houchard, Ed.D., Superintendent

Gaston County Schools
Driver Education Bid Process (April 2026)
1. Bid process begins on April 13, 2026, with advertisement on the
Gaston County Schools website. Bid packages are available in the office of
Chad Duncan at 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC 28053 from April 13, 2026,
until April 24, 2026. The bid process will end on the April 24, 2026, at 3:00
PM - all proposals must be received by Chad Duncan by no later than 3:00
PM on April 24, 2026.
2. Individuals interested in placing a bid and needing to confer with a
Gaston County Schools' official may contact Chad Duncan, Director of
Athletics, Arts, and Driver Education, at 704-866-6214 on Monday-Friday
from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A copy of the proposed Driver Education Contract
for Services is included with the bid information package. This Contract
outlines the requirements expected for service.
3. The Gaston County Board of Education and its administration
reserves the right to reject any or all responsible proposals received.
4. The award shall be made to the lowest responsible bidder, or
bidders, who meet specified minimum responsible requirements, taking
into consideration quality, safety, costs, insurance requirements,
performance and the time specified in the proposals for the performance of
the contract.
5. No proposal shall be considered or accepted unless it has been
received by the Gaston County Board of Education Attention: Chad Duncan,
943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, NC 28053 on or before 3:00 PM on April 24,
2026.
6. All proposals shall be opened at 3:00 PM on April 24, 2026, in
public and shall be recorded by designated Gaston County School System
official(s).

GASTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
CONTRACT FOR SERVICES
This Contract for Services ("Contract") is made and entered into this [DATE] between Gaston County Board
of Education (also known as Gaston County Schools), 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054
("GCS") and [COMPANY w/ address] ("Service Provider").
For and in consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Contract, the parties do mutually agree
as follows:
1. Obligations of Service Provider - The Service Provider agrees to provide services (the "Services")
to fully, timely and properly complete the Driver's Education Program as more particularly
described in the Scope of Work document attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference
as Exhibit 1.
The term of this Contract shall be July 1, 2026 until June 30, 2027. Thereafter, upon written
notice to Contractor GCS may renew this Contract for up to two (2) additional terms, each of a
one (1) year duration.
This Contract does not grant the Service Provider the right or the exclusive right to provide
specified services to GCS. Similar services may be obtained from sources other than the Service
Provider (or not at all) at the discretion of GCS.
The Service Provider shall begin work immediately upon issuance of a written notice to proceed.
The Service Provider agrees to perform the Services in a timely, complete, and professional
manner and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Contract. Furthermore, the
Service Provider represents and warrants that (i) it is duly qualified and licensed to provide the
Services, (ii) it will provide the Services in a manner consistent with the level of care and skill
ordinarily exercised by contractors providing similar services under similar conditions, (iii) it
possesses sufficient experience, personnel, and resources to complete the Services, (iv) it shall
perform the Services in compliance with applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, orders,
rules and regulations, and (v) its reports, if any, shall be complete, accurate, and unambiguous.
2. Obligations of GCS. GCS hereby agrees to pay to the Contractor for the faithful performance of
this Contract, and the Contractor hereby agrees to provide all of the Services and/or Goods, for
the sum not to exceed [Contract Price] ("Contract Price") subject to adjustments as provided for
in the Contract Documents:
Budget Account No:
(i) Service Provider's Fee $ 500,000.00
(ii) Travel Not to Exceed $
(iii) Travel/Lodging/Food Not to Exceed $
(iii) Other $
(iv) Total Not to Exceed $ 500,000.00 10.51100.0012.3110.00000
.000.23000.00000.00
If multi-year: The parties acknowledge that GCS operates on a July 1-June 30 fiscal year and that
operating funds are made available to GCS on a year to year basis. Accordingly, see Section 27 of
Article I of the Standard Terms and Conditions for All Contracts. The mechanism by which GCS
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shall confirm that funding is available will be issuance of standard GCS purchase orders (each, a
"Purchase Order") from time-to-time. The initial Purchase Order for services is expected to be
issued on or about July 1, 2026 and will reflect the amount of the authorization for the Services
for Driver's Education Program in the amount of $500,000.00. Thereafter, on an as-needed basis
as determined by GCS, GCS may amend existing Purchase Orders from time to time or issue a new
Purchase Order (e.g. at the start of each new fiscal year).
3. Project Coordinator. Chad Duncan is designated as the Project Coordinator for GCS. The Project
Coordinator shall be GCS's representative in connection with the Service Provider's performance
under this Contract. GCS has complete discretion in replacing the Project Coordinator with
another person of its choosing.
4. Service Provider Supervisor. [Primary Contact for Contractor] is designated as the Service
Provider Supervisor for the Service Provider. The Service Provider Supervisor is fully authorized
to act on behalf of the Service Provider in connection with this Contract.
5. Terms and Methods of Payment. GCS will make payment after invoices are approved on a net 30-
day basis. GCS will not pay for services or materials in advance without the prior approval of the
Finance Officer. Service Provider to submit invoices on the following schedule: Monthly
6. Additional Provisions. Service Provider agrees to the Standard Terms and Conditions set forth as
Attachment A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
7. Counterpart Execution. This Contract may be executed and recorded in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, when taken together,
shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each party shall be entitled to rely upon executed
copies of this Contract transmitted by facsimile or electronic "PDF" to the same and full extent as
the originals.
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[SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GCS and the Service Provider have executed this Contract on the day and year
first written above.
Service Provider Name
Signature of Authorized Representative Date
Service Provider's Federal Identification #
[if Contract is with Organization or Social Security Number if individual]
This instrument has been pre-audited in the
manner required by the School Budget and
Fiscal Control Act.
Originator/Fund Owner Date
_________________________________
Finance Officer Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
School Board Attorney Date
Gaston County Schools
__________________________________________________________________________
Superintendent Date
__________________________________________________________________________
Board Chairperson (if over $100,000.00) Date
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Exhibit List:
Attachment A: GCS Standard Terms and Conditions
Exhibit 1: Scope of Work
1. DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM
a) During the Term of this Contract, Contractor will operate a Driver Education
Program (hereafter referred to as the "Program") to eligible students in Gaston
County free of charge to the students.
2. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
a) Every student is eligible to participate in the Program who:
i. is physically and mentally capable of participating;
ii. is older than fourteen (14) years and six (6) months of age;
iii. is actively enrolled in a public, private, charter or home school;
iv. is a resident of Gaston County;
v. pursuant to the rules adopted by the State Board of Education, has been
approved to participate in the Program by the principal of the school in
which the student is enrolled (or, in the case of a private, charter, or
home school, by the person chiefly responsible for the school); and
vi. has not previously enrolled in the Program.
b) Contractor will not discriminate against or deny participation in or benefits of
the Program to any eligible student on the basis of sexual orientation, national
origin, race, ethnic background, color, religion, gender, age or disability.
c) No student who fails, drops out of or is expelled from the Program will be
allowed to re-enroll unless justified by extraordinary circumstances or permitted
under the "Student Absences, Drops, Expulsions, and Withdrawals" provisions
for withdrawing within the first nine (9) hours of instruction. The principal of the
school in which the student is enrolled (or, in the case of a private, charter, or
home school, the person chiefly responsible for the school) will determine
whether extraordinary circumstances exist, subject to an optional review by
GCS.
d) GCS, in its sole discretion, may deem a student to be eligible for the Program
even when the student does not meet the eligibility requirements of this
"Student Eligibility" section.
e) It is Contractor's affirmative responsibility to inform students and parents of
these eligibility provisions.
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3. LOCATION AND FACILITIES
a) Contractor will provide the Program at the approved locations designated in
Exhibit 1-A ("Locations").
b) During the academic school year, an eligible student must participate in the
Program at the Location nearest the school in which the student is enrolled.
c) During the summer months, an eligible student may participate in the
Program at any designated Location that has the instructional capacity to
serve the student.
d) Classroom instruction will be limited to a maximum of fifty (50) students per
classroom. Class size will be determined by available facilities at the school.
e) At no charge to Contractor, GCS will provide an adequate number of
classrooms at each Location for the classroom instruction portion of the
Program. Contractor will make arrangements for classrooms at each
location with the school principal.
f) At its own expense, Contractor, will establish an office in Gaston County
that is sufficient to conduct the business related to this Contract. Such office
will include facilities for, without limitation:
i. a telephone answering system that is available twenty-four (24)
hours per day, seven (7) days per week;
ii. conducting interviews;
iii. storing all records required by this Contract or applicable laws or
regulations; and
iv. keep an inventory of all equipment used in the instruction and
administration of the Program i.e. (computer, laptop, projectors,
other equipment, etc.).
4. PROGRAM SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION
a) Contractor will operate the Program on a year-round basis.
b) Program services will not be scheduled or offered at any of the following
times:
i. during the regular hours of the academic school day;
ii. on any day that is a Sunday; or
iii. at any other times that violate the established policy of GCS.
c) In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations, GCS may,
in its sole discretion, cancel Program offerings and reschedule make-up
offerings.
d) GCS and Contractor are mutually responsible for:
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i. scheduling students in the Program;
ii. conducting parent orientation;
iii. coordinating the Program in concert with the operation of Gaston
County Public Schools; and
iv. issuing certificates indicating completion of the Program.
e) To facilitate coordination, representatives from GCS and Contractor will
meet prior to the scheduling of students and as needed at other times.
f) Contractor will allow and cooperate with the GCS's efforts to monitor,
inspect, audit, investigate, and/or evaluate all activities related to this
Contract.
5. PROGRAM CONTENT
a) The Program curriculum will be based on the SBTS standards or any
equivalent designated by law and/or GCS.
b) Classroom Instruction
i. Classroom Curriculum
1. Classroom instruction will not include workbook
assignments or any work performed outside of the presence
of an instructor.
2. The curriculum will include, but is not limited to:
a) Highway Transportation: its social and economic
influences upon life in America;
b) Drivers: their physical and mental characteristics
and how their capabilities and limitations influence
the traffic scene;
c) The Automobile: its construction, maintenance and
safe operation;
d) Traffic Law and Enforcement: laws of nature and
man-made laws and their relationship to traffic
safety;
e) Pedestrians and Bicycles: their influence upon the
traffic scene;
f) Engineering: its influence upon automobiles,
highways, traffic controls and people;
g) Driving While Impaired: the effects of drinking upon
driving and related subjects (such as use and cell
phone texting while driving) and upon accident and
death rates; and
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h) Rights and Privileges of Handicapped Persons: their
rights to use flags, placards, cards, license plates
and parking places.
i) Contractor is encouraged, but not required, to
include in the curriculum T.O.T.A.L.S (Teaching Our
Teens Lesson in Surviving).
ii. Timing of Instruction
1. Each enrolled student must complete a minimum of thirty
(30) hours of classroom instruction. Six (6) of these hours
must be instruction in the "Driving While Impaired" portion
of the curriculum.
2. Contractor will limit classroom instruction for each student
to no more than:
a. three (3) hours per day during the academic school
year; and
b. six (6) hours per day during the
i. summer months; and
ii. extended vacation periods occurring during
the academic school year.
3. Program instructors will be available at the Location of the
classroom instruction at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to
the beginning of class and will remain at the Location until
the last student is safely dismissed from the Location.
iii. Excused Absences, Drops, Expulsions, and Withdrawals
1. Excused Absences
a) Each enrolled student may have up to one (1)
excused absence from classroom instruction
totaling no more than three (3) hours of missed
instruction.
b) Missed time must be made up in the presence of a
Program instructor with appropriate curriculum
material.
2. Drops
a) Contractor must drop from the Program any
student who does not complete required make-up
instruction.
b) Such student may not re-enroll in the Program.
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c) Contractor will be paid as if the student completed
the classroom instruction portion of the Program.
3. Expulsions
a) Contractor must expel any student who violates
GCS disciplinary policy.
b) Contractor will assign such student a failing grade
and the student will not be eligible to re-enroll in
the Program.
c) GCS will pay only for those students who finish the
course.
4. Withdrawals
a) A student who, for any reason, is not able to
continue with the classroom portion of the Program
during the first nine (9) hours of instruction may
withdraw without penalty.
b) The student may re-enroll in the Program at a later
time.
c) Contractor will not be paid for such student.
5. Notice. When any student is dropped, expelled, or
withdraws from the Program, Contractor will immediately
notify GCS and the school at which the student is enrolled.
c) Behind the Wheel Instruction ("BTWI")
i. Student Permitting. Before providing BTWI to any student enrolled
in the Program, Contractor will require the student to obtain a:
1. North Carolina Learner's Permit; or
2. Restricted Instruction Permit (SBTS-800 rev/99).
ii. BTWI Curriculum. The BTWI curriculum will include, but is not
limited to:
1. Familiarization with the automobile, the use of its controls,
and the monitoring and maintenance of its fitness and
general appearance (ex: tire pressure, oil level, fuel level,
etc.);
2. Development of skills essential to safe operation in traffic;
and
3. Development of abilities needed to follow the soundest
course of action in response to complex situations.
iii. Timing of Instruction
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