A. Buses 1. Bus manufacture date shall not be older than fifteen (15) years. 2. Buses shall meet or exceed all applicable State and Federal Motor Vehicle standards. 3. Buses shall be equipped in accordance with all applicable State and Federal regulations and safety standards. 4. Buses shall be equipped with a VCR/DVD player with multiple screens. 5. Buses shall be equipped with wireless internet access. 6. Buses shall be equipped with locking storage for equipment and luggage underneath as well as overhead storage for personal bags. 7. Buses shall be capable of transporting at a minimum, the number of persons indicated for the trip WITH ability to store equipment and passenger gear as needed for stated number of persons on trip. 8. All buses shall be in good mechanical condition and be capable of transporting the minimum number of passengers as noted for each trip (52 passengers unless otherwise stated). 9. For buses with restrooms, restrooms shall be well maintained, clean, and well lighted. 10. Overhead rack space or space in back of the bus will be provided for coats, hats, etc. 11. Temperature Control: Where required for the comfort of passengers, buses will be equipped with air conditioning and heating units. The interior temperature of the bus will be controlled to ensure passenger comfort at all times regardless of seasonal weather conditions. 12. Seat Specifications: Passenger seats will be upholstered with foam rubber or other material providing equivalent comfort that has not shifted or is excessively worn and will prevent contact with structural parts of the seat bottom or back. Seats with shifted or excessively worn cushioning will not be acceptable, even if the seats otherwise meet the requirements herein. 13. Cleanliness and Serviceability of Equipment: Prior to departure of equipment from garaging point, buses will be serviced so as to be in proper operating condition. Interior and exterior will be thoroughly cleaned. 14. Inspection: The University reserves the right to inspect equipment prior to award. B. Statutory Requirements 1. Rules and regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission, Department of Transportation, and State regulatory and supervisory agencies governing the safety of public motor transportation operations, condition of equipment, proficiency of operators and maintenance crews, and first aid requirements will be complied with at all times. 2. Offeror shall pay and maintain all licenses, permits, taxes, etc. which are or may be required by any and all regulatory authorities for the performance and satisfaction of this contract. Rules and regulations of all local, state and federal authorities which govern the safety of public transportation operations, equipment condition, proficiency of operators and maintenance personnel, and first aid requirements are to be complied with at all times. 3. Offeror must have and maintain a rating of “Satisfactory” through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. C. Insurance 1. Contractor must carry a mandated minimum of $5,000,000 of insurance coverage in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Contractor must stay apprised of and abide by current mandatory minimum of insurance coverage requirements by Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Contractor must also comply with the Insurance documentation requirements listed under the Insurance Section later in this document entitled Contractor’s Liability Insurance. Prior to commencement of the work, Contractor shall provide to the University a signed, original certificate of liability insurance (ACORD 25) as denoted in the Contractor’s Liability Insurance subsection. This certificate must come directly from the insurance agency. D. Drivers 1. Drivers shall be employed by the Contractor and dressed in uniform that identifies the company and driver. 2. Contractor shall provide drivers who shall be fully qualified to operate the equipment and licensed accordingly as per all Federal, State, local and U.S. Department of Transportation laws, rules and regulations. Contractor must stay apprised of and abide by current statutory requirements for all drivers. 3. Lander University is a smoke free campus. No smoking will be allowed on the bus or on the University campus. 4. Drivers shall not, under any circumstance, pick up any passengers during the trip that are not part of the University’s approved travel group. 5. Drivers shall have prior knowledge of the trip destination and have a route planned. If the bus is equipped with an installed radio communication system or GPS or other navigation system, drivers trained in its safe operation may use such equipment in accordance with company policy. 6. Drivers shall be knowledgeable of preventive measures to keep inclement weather from adversely affecting scheduled trips. 7. Additional Driver: Due to the length of time required for travel on some trips, a second driver may need to be provided to comply with current US DOT hours of service rules. As of 2017, Federal Department of Transportation safety regulations require that a driver not exceed 10 hours driving time and 5 hours on duty time, and after which the driver must have at least 8 hours of off time (not driving, not on duty). Contractor must stay apprised of and abide by current statutory requirements, and offer must include for relief of drivers if needed and/or required by law. 8. Any action by the driver while working on behalf of Lander University which results in charges being incurred due to traffic citations, hotel room damage, etc. will be the responsibility of the driver or the carrier. Lander University will not be held responsible in these matters.
