DoD BUS CARRIER APPROVAL

                                             BY THE DEFENSE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT OFFICE (DTMO)

                                                                            SPECIAL NOTICE 

This special notice is NOT a SOLICITATION/REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.  PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

This notice is for information purposes only to inform industry of the DoD bus carrier approval by (DTMO) requirement associated with the upcoming Joint Base San Antonio Bus Services need as described below.

Nature and scope of upcoming JBSA acquisition:  The 502d Contracting Squadron (502 CONS) located at Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph expects to post a solicitation on or about April 2021 to obtain mass transit bus services in support of student/shuttle/mass transportation/contingency transportation needs for the JBSA Lackland (LAK) and Fort Sam Houston (FSH), TX area footprint which includes Medina Annex, Camp Bullis and surrounding areas. 

The potential scope of the requirement will require the contractor to provide all non-personal services as well as all vehicles in sufficient numbers, to accomplish the work described in the PWS.  An excerpt of the scope is provided here for consideration and will include undisrupted bus service based on the Government’s weekly schedule and add-on/change requirements at JBSA-LAK and JBSA-FSH as detailed in this PWS. 

The Bus service is based on customer requirements and total workload can fluctuate +/- 15% from the Government estimated quantities and overall cost over the life of the contract.  Contractor will be expected to provide efficient 44 passenger school bus type buses with digital marques with lettering that is a minimum of 2 ½” in height and provide at least 18 characters in accordance with PWS.

All buses shall be equipped with GPS devices application with monitoring services to include access by both the Government, bus operating data (non-maintenance) and customer via free App access 24/7, shall be compatible with  (Android & IOS) 24/7 with a minimum ten (10) second refresh rate as described in the PWS.

 Operators shall be licensed in Texas with a minimum Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement. The contractor shall dispatch and operate buses within the local area (NTE) 150 one-way miles from dispatched location. 

The contractor shall operate twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and be at dispatch location no later than (NLT) 30 minutes prior to first scheduled run of every day and departing no earlier than the completion of the last run of the day. At the government’s discretion, buses may be directed to remain with the passengers until they are ready to return if it is more advantageous than making a second trip to pick them up. The contractor is expected to utilize the shortest routes possible during all trips unless a deviation must be taken due to traffic/road closures at which point the contractor shall document the reason on the completed Weekly Trip Schedule (WTS) for review by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).  At the Government’s discretion, buses may be directed to remain with the passengers until they are ready to return if it is more advantageous than making a second trip to pick them up.  The contractor will ensure cleanliness of buses and government facilities.

APPROVED DOD BUS CARRIER DETAILS

The Department of Defense (DoD) Bus, Van & Limo Carriers, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) sets forth the DoD  Bus Carrier Approval requirements for carriers performing transportation services on DoD Installations.  As a result of the Approved DoD Bus Carrier requirement, when 502 CONS issues the solicitation for JBSA Bus Services, potential offerors/Prime contractors whether they are single or Joint venture/Teaming Arrangement  and any Subcontractors will be required to be Approved DoD Bus Carrier(s)  at the time of proposal submission in order to be eligible for award. 

 Potential Offerors  (Prime Contractors, whether they are single or Joint venture/Teaming Arrangement  and Subcontractors) are highly encouraged to contact the DTMO early enough to inquire about the process and timeline(s) for  the Dod Bus Carrier Approval using the following link: www.defensetravel.dod.mil .

To reiterate, in order for offerors to be considered for award, offerors, whether are  /Prime contractors  Joint venture/Teaming Arrangement, and any Subcontractors shall be an Approved DoD Bus Carrier(s) by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) office at the time of proposal submission in accordance with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) guide.   See DoD Bus Agreement five (5) on link below outlining the requirements a carrier must meet in order to participate in the DoD Bus Program. https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/DoD_Bus_Program_Agreement_5.pdf . The  DoD  Bus Carrier  Approval process is not controlled by JBSA or 502 CONS and therefore this office is unable to answer any questions regarding the DoD Bus Carrier Approval process.

Additionally, potential offerors are also encouraged to access the TXDOT requirements:   https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operation and safety for certifications that may be required. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Further, Bus operators shall be licensed in Texas with a minimum Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with the appropriate passenger (P) endorsements, and be able to pass a basic background check which is conducted to obtain their base pass.  https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/CommercialLicense.htm

This special notice is NOT a REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. It is for information purposes only to inform the market of the DTMO requirement prior to issuance of a Solicitation/Request for Proposal.

This Notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service.  The 502d CONS will not entertain solicitation related questions or accept proposals as we are not soliciting at this time.  

Point of contact for this action is Contract Specialist – Ms. Ines Corbett: [email protected]

Contracting Office Address:

502 CONS/JKCA

395 B Street West STE 2

JBSA Randolph TX 78150-4545

[email protected]