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School committee awards three-year transportation contract to NRT Bus Inc.
Summary
The Westborough School Committee voted to award a three-year transportation contract to NRT Bus Inc. for $9,482,185.30 with extension options, after staff described added penalty clauses and performance safeguards; the committee discussed limited bidder interest and budget timing concerns.
The Westborough School Committee voted to award the district's transportation contract to NRT Bus Inc. for a three-fiscal-year term totaling $9,482,185.30 with options to extend, the committee chair moved and Superintendent Allison seconded.
Committee members had expressed concern that only one vendor submitted a bid despite 12 vendors downloading the IFB documents. Anita, who oversaw the procurement process, told the committee she included multiple safeguards in the IFB including fees and penalty language intended to deter nonperformance and to give the district recourse if buses or services are not provided.
"There are various fees that I put in place all over the contract," Anita said, adding those terms are intended to discourage vendors from failing to follow through. Allison said weekly check-ins with the vendor and a consistent dispatcher familiar with the district have improved responsiveness this year.
Members debated whether to rebid. Anita explained a rebid would require a 3- to 4-week posting and a bidders meeting; Allison cautioned that rebidding could produce higher prices and jeopardize the FY26 budget, saying the district went out early to secure numbers for budgeting purposes. "If we go out again and it turns out to be more, we won't have money in the budget to cover that cost," Allison said.
After discussion about contract language and post-award contract drafting with legal counsel, the committee approved the award. The motion on the floor was: "I move to award the Westborough Public Schools Transportation contract, NRT Bus Inc., for a period of 3 fiscal years in a total amount of $9,482,185.30 with an additional 2 year, 2 1 year extension options." The chair moved the award and Allison seconded. The committee then voted in favor.
Next steps include drafting the final contract with the district's legal counsel and incorporating the IFB terms into the contract; Anita said the IFB terms would generally flow into the contract and legal review would finalize language and any negotiated changes.
The vote concluded the transportation action for the evening.
