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Nahant School Committee approves five‑year Healey Bus contract after bid review
Summary
The Nahant School Committee voted March 24 to authorize a three‑year base contract plus two option years with Healey Bus after reviewing two bids; first-year cost is $186,796.80 and administrators said the district would consider option years based on long‑term costs and responsiveness.
The Nahant School Committee voted March 24 to award a general transportation contract to Healey Bus, approving a three‑year base agreement with two one‑year options after receiving two bids.
Administrators told the committee Healey Bus submitted a three‑year base proposal plus two option years that, including the first year, totals $186,796.80. Administrators presented the board with yearly figures of $188,676 for year two and $190,566 for year three and option‑year figures of $192,466.80 and $194,400; the five‑year total stated during the meeting was $952,956. Administrators said the Healey Bus proposal included continuing responsiveness the district has experienced with the incumbent contractor and relatively modest percentage increases compared with recent years.
The superintendent explained the procurement context, saying state rules permit a three‑year base contract and the option to include additional option years. He told the committee that North Reading Transport submitted a competing three‑year only bid that administrators found less competitive over the longer term. Committee members praised Healey Bus for responsiveness, including last‑minute help transporting a small group of students to testing, and supported the recommendation to award the contract to Healey Bus.
A Committee member voiced support for the contractor’s responsiveness, saying, “I [am] very happy with the service that they provided,” recounting that the company helped with a late‑notice morning run. The committee moved, seconded and approved the contract by voice vote.
What happens next: the committee authorized the superintendent and town administrator to finalize and sign the contract in accordance with the motion. The motion recorded the year‑by‑year prices presented at the meeting; the committee did not record roll‑call tallies in the transcript beyond a voice vote in favor.
Funding and caveats: administrators noted the first‑year increase represents about a 4.93% rise over the present contract but emphasized later years show smaller percentage changes; the price assumes normal fuel and maintenance conditions and could change if those costs fluctuate. Any final contract will reflect the precise terms, and option years would be exercised only if the committee or administration chooses to do so.
