Weymouth drivers and union urge committee to scrutinize low NRT bid for student bus contract

Weymouth's Budget Subcommittee heard a full public airing of concerns about the district's upcoming student-transportation contract after staff revealed the Invitation for Bids (IFB) produced two responsive bidders for the first time in recent memory.

Brian told the committee that the district’s five-year contract with First Student expires June 30 and that the IFB opened with two responses: First Student and NRT. The procurement team led by Alyssa is conducting a more extensive-than-usual review of references and operational plans; staff said the award will follow Massachusetts procurement law (Chapter 30B) and is planned for May 13 after checks for responsiveness and responsibility.

Why it matters: the choice of vendor affects daily routes, safety equipment and the local workforce. Staff said the IFB requires buses no older than five years and in-vehicle audio/video cameras. Staff also explained that under Chapter 30B the contract must go to the lowest bidder who is both responsive (followed submission requirements) and responsible (able to perform the scope of services).

Drivers and union representatives packed the meeting. "Replacing First Student with a company that has a bad reputation would be doing a huge disservice to the town of Weymouth, the students, and their families," said Sewell Basir, a First Student driver who identified himself as driver of Weymouth Bus 7 and said he has more than 35 years of experience. Basir said he had not heard any positive reports about NRT from former co-workers and urged committee members to ask, "What costs have been cut? What services may have been reduced? Will student safety be affected?"

Michelle Makrovich, a business representative for Teamsters Local 653 and a former driver, urged the committee to require written protections for current drivers if a new vendor takes over. "The union has reached out to NRT with a signed petition from the drivers asking for one simple, reasonable commitment: honor the existing contract, terms, conditions, and seniority of these drivers," Makrovich said. She told the committee she had a memorandum of agreement ready for NRT to sign to guarantee wages, benefits and seniority would be respected.

A resident who identified himself as Steve Hilson warned that the district’s complex routing and tight timing could make a low bid unsustainable, creating immediate operational headaches and potential longer-term costs if a vendor fails to perform. Brian summarized the fiscal difference staff found in the bidder submissions: over the five-year term the low bid represented roughly $1.5 million in projected savings versus the incumbent bid. He cautioned that bidders submit a daily rate multiplied by number of buses and school days.

What staff say they will do: Alyssa’s procurement review team is undertaking reference checks, operational-history reviews and transition-planning assessments to determine whether the apparent low bidder is also responsible. Staff reiterated that if the apparent low bidder later withdraws or cannot provide service, the district may have to re-bid the IFB.

Next steps: staff expect to complete responsibility verifications and, if the process proceeds, to recommend an award consistent with Chapter 30B by May 13. The committee did not vote on the contract at the meeting; it heard public comment and directed staff to follow procurement law and finish due diligence.