School Bus Contract FY26
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, 28th Contracting Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for School Bus Transportation Services for students in grades K-12. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity to award a single Firm Fixed Price contract. The services involve transporting approximately 250-350 children to and from Box Elder, South Dakota. Quotes are due by May 8, 2026, at 17:00 PM MDT.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide and maintain the necessary school buses and drivers for scheduled transportation Monday through Friday, between 0700 and 1630, throughout the school year. Service areas include Rushmore Heights, Prairie View, and Black Hills Estate housing areas. Key requirements include:
- Submitting a proposed bus route and schedule 30 days prior to each school year.
- Providing sufficient buses, including replacements, capable of operating during various weather conditions.
- Ensuring personnel meet South Dakota Commercial Driver's License requirements, speak English, and maintain professional conduct.
- Equipping buses with audio/visual recording equipment and live HD video streaming capabilities.
- Adhering to federal, state, and local traffic laws, and passing annual South Dakota Highway Patrol inspections.
- Implementing a formal preventative maintenance program.
- Providing a contract manager.
- Personnel requiring Childcare Background checks (Tier 1 Clearance and Childcare background check) and 1-year visitor passes for base access.
- Maintaining confidentiality of student and operational information.
- No government-provided parking or administrative space; staging will be at the Dakota's club parking lot.
- No current requirement for ADA-accessible buses, though bus aides are recommended for K-2 students.
Contract Details
- Type: Single Firm Fixed Price Contract (FAR Part 12 procedures).
- NAICS: 485410 (Passenger Motor Charter Service), Size Standard: $30,000,000.00.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
- Period of Performance: Multiple periods, starting July 1, 2026, and extending through June 30, 2031, with various option periods and a potential six-month extension.
- Funding: Contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. Award is anticipated before the school year start date (approx. August 24, 2026).
Submission & Evaluation
Offerors must submit a four-part quote via email: Cover Page, Volume I (Past Performance), Volume II (Technical Capability), and Volume III (Price). Quotes must be valid for 60 days.
- Evaluation Factors: Past Performance and Technical Capability are more important than Price. Offers will be evaluated on total value across all CLINs (Base Year, Option Years 1-4, and 6-Month Extension).
- Required Documents: Complete the Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 3) – submitted directly by the reference – and the Price Schedule Excel document (Attachment 5).
- Eligibility: Small Business concerns must have a Cage Code and be registered and active in SAM.gov. Subcontractor work experience can be included on forms, excluding SAM.gov registration details.
Key Dates
- Questions Due: April 27, 2026, 17:00 PM MDT.
- Quotes Due: May 8, 2026, 17:00 PM MDT.