Transportation Services- National Institute of Corrections

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for bus transportation services.

• Proposal Submission: Proposals must be submitted via email to bshrake@bop.gov before the offer due date.
• Contract Type: This is a recompete. The current contract number is 15BNAS20D00000069.
• Service Locations: Buses will transport training participants from hotels within an estimated 30-mile round trip of the NCA Training Center (11900 East Cornell Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014), unless directed otherwise by the COR.
• Trip Frequency & Capacity: The contractor must provide an adequate number of coach buses to transport 20 to 150 people per day. Specific bus sizes (mini coach for up to 21 passengers, large coach for over 21) will be provided based on group size. Actual numbers will vary and will be communicated in advance.
• Pricing: Pricing is requested on a pre round trip basis for each bus size specified in the Statement of Work.

This Q&A clarifies submission procedures, contract history, service locations, operational details, and pricing structure. Bidders should ensure their proposals address these points.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 2 - Additional Instructions," provides crucial details regarding the evaluation criteria and general instructions for responding to the solicitation. It outlines how offers will be assessed and what is expected from potential bidders.

• Selection Method: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection procedures will be used. Technical acceptability is the primary factor.
• Contract Award: The government intends to award one contract, commencing April 1, 2026, with a 6-month base period, four (4) one-year option periods, and an optional 6-month extension.
• Unrealistic Offers: Proposals deemed unrealistic in terms of program commitments or price may be rejected.
• Evaluation Factors:
  • Factor 1: Technical Acceptability (evaluated on an acceptable/unacceptable basis).
  • Factor 2: Past Performance (evaluated for offers with the lowest price, also acceptable/unacceptable).
  • Factor 3: Price (total evaluated price, including options).
• Technical Requirements: Proposals must demonstrate capability, expertise, resources, and planning ability. Specific technical requirements include: - Transportation to and from a hotel within 30 miles of the NCA Training Center. - Provision of a mini coach (21 passenger) and a large coach (55 passenger). - Buses must be air-conditioned and heated, with backup capabilities. - Compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. - Vehicles and personnel equipped with cellular phones. - Required State of Colorado licenses and permits for vehicles and drivers (Class C licensed drivers).
• Past Performance: Evaluated for relevance and recency. An "unknown" past performance will be considered "acceptable."
• Pricing: The contract will be Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) for Indefinite-Delivery Requirement. Fuel is estimated at 15% of CLIN price, with EPA adjustments tied to EIA data for Rocky Mountain PADD 4 Diesel retail prices.

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand the evaluation process, the specific technical requirements for transportation services, and how their proposals will be assessed. It emphasizes that technical acceptability is paramount, followed by price. Bidders must clearly demonstrate how their technical approach meets all stated requirements, particularly regarding transportation logistics and vehicle/driver qualifications.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (Solicitation Number: 15BNAS26Q00000011) issued by the Federal Bureau of Prisons for "National Institute of Corrections Transportation Services." The solicitation details requirements for transportation services, estimated to be a Firm Fixed Price contract. Funding will be obligated with individual task orders.

The core service involves round-trip transportation from various hotels to 11900 E. Cornell Ave., Aurora, CO 80014, using either a 55 Passenger Coach Bus or a 21 Passenger Coach Bus. The services are broken down into a Base Period and several Unexercised Option Years (Option Year One through Option Year Four), plus a Six Month Extension.

• The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

• The period of performance includes a Base Period and multiple option periods.

• Estimated quantities are provided for each item, with unit prices to be determined.

• The Offer Due Date is 02/10/2026 at 08:00 CT.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference, with addenda.

• Evaluation criteria are not detailed in the provided pages, but the document includes numerous contract clauses and provisions that will form part of the evaluation.

• The acquisition is set aside for 100.00% for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

• It also indicates it is a Small Business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 485510 (Transportation Services)

• Size Standard: $19.0 million

• The document includes a comprehensive list of incorporated contract clauses (Section 2) and solicitation provisions (Section 4), covering areas such as ethics, small business, labor laws, privacy, security, and foreign procurements.

• A "List of Attachments" (Section 3) indicates the availability of a Statement of Work (SOW), Independent Government Estimate (IGE), and other relevant documents.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the requirements for transportation services for training participants attending programs hosted by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) at the National Corrections Academy (NCA) in Aurora, Colorado.

• Provide weekday and weekend coach bus transportation for training participants between their hotel accommodations and the NCA training center.

• Services include providing and maintaining necessary buses/vehicles, qualified drivers, mechanics, and support personnel.

• The contractor must be able to accommodate transportation to and from hotels within a 30-mile radius of the NCA Training Center.

• The contractor must be prepared for periods where multiple training programs run concurrently, potentially accommodating up to 150 participants and NIC employees per day across up to five concurrent training events.

• Buses must be air-conditioned and heated.

• Drivers must perform pre-trip inspections.

• Buses must be kept neat and clean; restroom facilities (if present) must be checked for trash and proper operation.

• Drivers must assist passengers with boarding and disembarking.

• Drivers must immediately notify the COR or designee of any bus breakdown or mechanical failure and dispatch a backup bus.

• Drivers must have a valid commercial driver's license with passenger carrier endorsement, be at least 21 years old, have received minimum Colorado training, and have no moving violations in the last two years.

• Contractor must maintain all required licenses, permits, and vehicle inspection reports.

• Location: National Corrections Academy, 11900 East Cornell Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014.

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Period: April 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026
  • Option One: October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027
  • Option Two: October 1, 2027 - September 30, 2028
  • Option Three: October 1, 2028 - September 30, 2029
  • Option Four: October 1, 2029 - September 30, 2030
  • 6-Month Extension: October 1, 2030 - March 31, 2031

• Contractor must provide separate pricing for small (21-passenger) and large (55-passenger) coach buses.

• A minimum of one bus or other appropriate vehicle equipped to accommodate disabled passengers must be provided.

• Contractor must provide a full-time Project Manager available by telephone from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Contractor must maintain a certificate of insurance with $5,000,000 minimum liability coverage.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) for fuel.

• Payment will be based on the actual number of round-trip transportations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Business Management Questionnaire, serving as Attachment III to the solicitation. It is designed to gather information about a bidder's business management capabilities and past performance.

• Work Distribution: Bidders must provide the percentage of work distributed between commercial and government contracts, including prime and subcontracts.
• Past Contracts: Information on the last three awarded contracts of a related nature, including:
  • Customer & Address
  • Contract Number
  • Person to Contact (Email)
  • Type of Work
  • Amount of Contract
  • Contract Status (Active/Complete)
• Bank Reference: Details of a bank reference, including Name, Address, and Person to Contact.
• Estimated Work Completion: The percentage of work the firm will complete under the contract (excluding subcontractors).
• UEI Numbers: Bidder's Unique Entity ID (UEI) and, if applicable, their Parent Company's UEI.

This questionnaire is crucial for bidders to complete accurately as it directly informs the government's assessment of their business management experience and capacity. The information provided will likely be a factor in the evaluation of proposals.