REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

Issued: November 1, 2023
Deadline for Submittal: November 20, 2023

I. OVERVIEW
Introduction

Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to facilitate the development of its strategic plan. The strategic planning process will result in a comprehensive five‐year plan that will outline goals and objectives that will guide priorities based on considerable research, extensive input from a variety of stakeholders, and consensus on the vision and mission of the organization.

Background

ANCS’ vision is as follows: Our vision is to be a dynamic learning community where students become life-long learners, develop self-knowledge, and are challenged to excel. Our mission contains the following five elements: Build an empowered and inclusive community of students, parents, and educators. Help all students to know themselves and be known well by their community. Collaborate with the larger community to advocate for student-centered schools. Engage the whole child-socially, emotionally and physically. Challenge each student to take an active role as an informed citizen in a global society.

Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School is composed of 2 campuses, serving 630 students in total.

Elementary Campus: 688 Grant Street, Atlanta, GA, 30315, Grades K-5
Middle campus: 820 Essie Avenue, Atlanta, GA, 30316, Grades 6-8
Approximately 130 staff members throughout both campuses

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Interested organizations should indicate their interest in submitting a proposal to apullen@atlncs.org by November 10, 2023 and proposals are due no later than 5PM on October 20 via email to the following address: Alastair Pullen, apullen@atlncs.org.

III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND DETAILS
Firm will provide two (2) school buses to cover two (2) separate routes to school each morning and from school each afternoon. Example routes will be provided upon request by interested firms, but are subject to modification to meet the needs of the school year. Both routes will be less than 3 miles away from the location of the elementary school campus.

Morning routes should arrive at the elementary campus at approximately 7:30 AM, and at the middle campus by 8:00 Afternoon buses should arrive at the elementary campus at approximately 2:30 PM , to depart at approximately 2:45 PM. Afternoon busses should arrive at the middle campus at approximately 3:00 to depart at 3:10. Every Wednesday times the bus schedule is adjusted to account for early afternoon release.

III. BUS REQUIREMENTS
Current routes assume each bus has a capacity of at least 20 passengers. Buses must

  • Be in safe, clean condition
  • Meet all applicable local, state, and federal requirements
  • Display up-to-date evidence of passing GA DOT safety inspection
  • Have capability of two-way communication with dispatch
  • Extra consideration will be awarded to firms with live-tracking and other technology allowing
  • ANCS and parents to monitor bus and/or student location, and to be notified of delays.
  • Proposals should specify if buses are air conditioned and any related surcharges.

IV. DRIVER REQUIREMENTS
Drivers must

  • Be qualified as required by local, state, and federal requirements
  • Pass a local and national criminal check
  • Pass a pre-employment drug screen
  • Have a satisfactory driving record

V. FIRM AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Firm will obtain and maintain all required inspections, maintenance records, certifications, licenses, and permits per legal requirements.

Firm will maintain liability insurance in an amount not less than one (1) million dollars.

VI. SERVICE AND RATE GUARANTEES
Firm should specify daily rate for service per bus, and specify any exceptions to that rate, including fuel price increases. Firm should also detail minimum service guarantees (e.g., define a “late” bus), and what recompense is provided when minimum service levels are not met.

VII. AWARD OF CONTRACT
Any contracts awarded pursuant to the RFP will be awarded based on the bids or offers which are responsive to the RFP and are most advantageous to ANCS with respect to price, quality, confidence to complete the work in a safe manner, and other factors that ANCS may consider.

ANCS reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received as a result of this RFP.