The Head Start Transportation

Application

Deadline and Bidders Conference

The due date for this RFP is April 9, 2010 at 4:30 P.M. One original and one copy should be submitted to:

Vanessa Rich

Deputy Commissioner of Early Childhood Development

Department of Family and Support Services

1615 W. Chicago Ave., 2nd Fl.

Chicago, Illinois 60622

Proposals will be accepted prior to the due date, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday at the same location. All proposals must be complete. Incomplete proposals may not be reviewed. In-person or bonded messenger delivery of proposals is encouraged. Time stamped receipts will be issued as proof of timely submittal.

No proposal will be considered complete and therefore reviewed unless the original copy is delivered and received at DFSS offices.

Proposals received after the due date and time may be deemed NON-RESPONSIVE and, therefore, subject to rejection.

Questions

Respondents are strongly encouraged to submit all questions and comments related to the RFP via e-mail. For answers to program-related questions please contact the following people:

Earline Alexander:

All other questions regarding the administrative aspects of this RFP may be directed to: Julia Talbot, .

Pre-Proposal Conference

A pre-proposal conference will be held on Wednesday March 31, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. at DFSS offices at 1615 W. Chicago Ave., First Floor Conference Room. No RSVP is required.

To request reasonable accommodation for the pre-proposal conference, please contact, Monica Rafac, . Requests for accommodations will be accepted up to 48 hours prior to the event.

Application Requirements

Formatting

Submitted proposals must adhere to all of the following requirements:

· One complete set of the proposal containing original signatures in blue ink signed by an authorized representative of the organization will be marked “Original”.

· Recycled paper (recommended)

· 8 1/2 x 11 letter size

· Double-sided printing

· One inch margins

· 11-point font

Failure to submit a complete proposal and/or to respond fully to all requirements may cause the proposal to be deemed unresponsive, and therefore, subject to rejection.

Receipt of a final application does not commit the department to award a grant to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of an application.

The complete application packet should consist of the following items, in this order:

1. Application Form

2. Program Narrative

Process for Evaluation of Proposals

Each respondent will be evaluated on the strengths of the application and the responsiveness to the selection criteria outlined below. DFSS reserves the right to consult with other city departments or public or private funders during the evaluation process. The committee may also request interviews with respondents. However, DFSS reserves the right to award contracts on the basis of initial proposals received without further discussions. Failure to submit a complete proposal and/or to respond fully to all requirements may cause the proposal to be deemed unresponsive and, therefore, subject to rejection. Potential grantees must be ready to proceed with commencing the grant at the time of contracting.

Selection Criteria

Bus companies interested in taking advantage of this opportunity will need to complete an application. There is no budget request for this particular opportunity. Criteria for selection are as follows:

Previous Experience with Purchasing, Installation and Maintenance

All respondents will be assessed on their ability to purchase, correctly install and maintain the number of desired seats by July 1, 2010 and to provide the desired transportation services to Head Start and Early Head Start programs as demonstrated by any previous experience with purchase, installation and maintenance of infant/toddler restraints and special need child restraint systems.

Previous Experience in Bus Evacuation Drills

All respondents will be asked to demonstrate their familiarity with executing bus evacuation drills in infants and toddlers.

Bus Driver Hiring Practices

All respondents will be asked to provide a description of the standard hiring practices and requirements for bus drivers hired by their company.

Geography

Additionally in order to provide easily accessible service throughout the City of Chicago, the location of the bus lots will be taken into account.

Head Start Transportation

Application Information

Legal Name of Applicant Agency / Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
Administrative/Mailing Address / Ward / Community Area
Location of Bus Yard
Executive Director / Executive Director’s Phone Number
Executive Director’s Fax Number / Executive Director’s Email Address
Contact Person for Proposal / Contact Person’s Phone Number
Contact Person’s Fax Number / Contact Person’s Email Address

Agency Statement of Certification

This proposal has been duly authorized by the governing body of the proposed. The proposed activities, dates, availability of resources, staff, cost, and all statements made are true and correct. The applicant will comply with all rules and regulations of the funding agency and will revise this proposal if necessary.

Authorized Signer’s Name / Authorized Signature
Authorized Signer’s Title / Date Signed

Application

Please answer the follow questions and submit with the application information form and the additional required attachments.

Previous Experience

Please describe your previous experience in purchasing, installing and maintaining infant and toddler restraint systems and special need child restraint systems? Indicate how many years of experience and the types of restraint systems you are familiar with.

Please describe your familiarity with running bus evacuation drills. How many years have you run these drills with how many children of what ages?

3. Please describe the types of background checks and tests you require of your drivers.

Additional Required Attachments

Please attach the additional information in your submission.

1. IRS statement of tax exempt status

2. Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)

3. Copy of Official Articles of Incorporation

4. Certificate of Good Standing -ISBE

5. Applicant’s most recent fiscal audit report or pre-approved equivalent.

6. Certificate of Insurance (see Attachment A).