Summary of Specifications:
General Specifications: A. The safe transportation and supervision of children covered pursuant to this bid is the responsibility of the contractor from the time that a child is picked up until the time that the child can be safely accepted by an authorized parent/guardian, agency representative, or public program official.
B. For the purpose of this contract and interpretation hereof, it is agreed that the transportation of the children with a disability, age five (5) years old and under is an unusual and specialized function. It is the essence of this contract that the children to be transported to and from the agencies regularly, promptly, safely and without interruption or incident and that the interest of the children in such transportation shall take precedence over the interest of the Contractor and its employees. It shall be a primary obligation of the Contractor to operate its affairs so that the Agencies and the County will be assured of continuous and reliable service.
C. The Contractor shall be fully and fiscally responsible for any strikes, job actions, or other labor disruptions on the part of his own employees.
D. The Contractor shall be prepared to provide the service within five (5) working days or by the start of the school sessions, whichever comes first, after receipt of a completed Request for Genesee County Transportation form, see Exhibit “B”, from an Agency or the County. Rainbow Preschool, Genesee County Early Intervention Program Officials, and other New York State approved providers will be administrating and coordinating the transportation required for such educational programs.
E. The Contractor shall expend every effort to perform under this contract. For example, the simple statement that motor fuel is in short supply shall not be an acceptable reason for failure to perform. The County may, at is sole option, cancel the contract of any transporter who shall continue to be unable to obtain motor fuel, lubricants, tires or other supplies necessary to provide contractual services, during a period when other providers have demonstrated the ability to procure such supplies. The County may obtain the required service from other transportation providers and hold the Contractor in default.
F. The Contractor is expected to transport children to and from school on all days that the school is in session. If a district is closed for a non-emergency reason, transportation is at the Contractor’s discretion. If a district is closed due to a weather related or emergency condition, children are not to be transported within, into or out of the district. If a school district has delayed its start due to weather emergency, children are not transported into or out of the district for the morning session for the children who attend the half-day programs. For children who attend full-day programs, transportation shall be provided at the Contractor’s discretion. If transportation is not to be provided the Contractor will contact the parents/guardians, the Agency and the County as soon as possible.
G. Provisions for breakdowns must be made. Busses shall be available to provide immediate service, or the Contractor must provide other equivalent means satisfactory to the County of Genesee.
H. If the Contractor will be late or cannot fulfill transportation on any day, the Contractor shall notify the Agency, individual parents/guardians and the County as soon as possible. The Contractor shall provide a time frame for resuming service and will be responsible for any and all additional charges due to its inability to perform. Additional charges may include alternate transportation charges and/or the child’s tuition cost for the day(s) of missed school.
I. Parents/guardians who wish to travel to the Agency with their child may not do so without prior authorization from the County and at the discretion of the Contractor.
J. A child may require specialized transportation because of medical or behavioral reasons. In these cases an attendant or nurse may be required.