DRIVERS: Each driver or operator shall be of good moral character and physically and mentally fit to operate a vehicle transporting school children. Each driver shall comply with all requirements listed in Article 19-A of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and Section 156.3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations of the New York State Education Department. Each driver or operator shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent, which said approval may be withdrawn in his or her sole and absolute discretion at any time for any cause. Bidder shall notify the South Colonie Central School District within twenty-four (24) hours upon Bidder’s receipt of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Notification of Disqualification of any driver who is transporting South Colonie Central School District students. All drivers shall have the necessary qualifications and be licensed for driving public vehicles for hire and school buses in the State of New York. Bidder shall be required to have on file at the Bidder’s office the license of each employee of the Bidder for driving public vehicles for hire and school buses in the State of New York. Bidder shall submit copies of the following documents for each driver that will operate a vehicle pursuant to the bid to the South Colonie Central School District’s Office for inspection by the Superintendent or his/her designee: A. A current abstract of driving record. B. Results of an annual physical examination. C. Three (3) letters of reference attesting to each drivers’ morality and character. D. Proof of training requirements under Section 156.3 of the Commissioner’s Regulations of the New York State Education Department E. Proof of compliance with the annual and biannual requirements of Article 19-A of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. The above requirements shall be fulfilled upon award of contract. All drivers shall be at least twenty one (21) years of age. The Board reserves the right to have the Bidder suspend, pending investigation, any driver who in the sole and absolute opinion of the Board, is not performing satisfactory service, or who does not meet all of the above qualifications. Subsequent to suspension, results of any investigatory reports shall be made in writing to the Board not later than forty-eight (48) hours following such suspension. All drivers employed in the performance of this bid shall be available for meetings and or interviews, as called for by the district’s Transportation Director, at the Bidder’s place of business. Failure to abide by any of the terms of this section of the bid, relating to drivers, shall be a material breach which shall result in the termination of the contract and an assessment of damages against the successful Bidder. BUSES/VEHICLES: All motor vehicles to be used and all transportation operations must comply with the rules, regulations, and/or requirements of the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and South Colonie Central School District, as well as with all laws and regulations of agencies of the State of New York pertaining to the transportation of school children. Buses must be made available for inspection by the Board and designated officials before any contract is executed. Bidder shall not allow commercial advertising or emblems to appear on the interior or exterior of vehicles when used to transport pupils. The Board reserves the right to modify any transportation schedules at its sole and absolute discretion without the consent of the successful Bidder. In the event the bidder does not have the ability to fulfill the requirements of the bid at the time of submission of bid, the Board requires that the bidder supply satisfactory evidence at the time of bid submission that he/she/it will have the ability to perform prior to the beginning of the contract period or beginning of service. Such evidence may be a signed statement from a bus manufacturer or dealer to the effect that he/she/it will furnish the required vehicles, maintenance, and/or labor as described above, and must be submitted to the Board on or before the award of the contract. All vehicles must be equipped with approved mirror and safety devices to protect the lives of children being transported. Vehicles must contain an approved first aid kit and fire extinguishers, as required by law. In the event of mechanical failure, stand-by vehicles meeting all of the requirements herein shall be available within fifteen (15) minutes driving time from the South Colonie Central School District boundary. Under the terms of the specifications, no Bidder may lease, hire or sub-contract for the use of any vehicle that will be used in connection with transportation as mentioned in these specifications, unless authorized in writing by the Board. Vehicles shall be cleaned on the interior at least daily and have exteriors washed at least once per week. Buses/vehicles shall be maintained in a clean condition at all times.
