The purpose of this RFSQ is to establish a Prequalified Contractor List for Chartered Transportation Services, to include transportation for school trips from the Niagara Region to and within: 

• other cities outside of the Niagara Region,
• other provinces, and/or
• the United States, 

utilizing vehicles designed with a designated seating capacity of ten (10) or more passengers. Travel within the Niagara Region and home/school transportation are not included in this Scope of Work. 

Intent/Objective

The DSBN is looking to prequalify Contractors for chartered transportation services traveling from a city in the Niagara Region to destination(s) outside of the Niagara Region. 

Contractor(s) may provide transportation during regular business hours, after regular business hours, on weekends and statutory holidays for a variety of student trips, on an as-needed basis.

Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS)-prequalified Contractors will be contacted first by DSBN schools to provide passenger transportation for trips within the Niagara Region. 

However, should NSTS-prequalified Contractors be at full capacity and unable to provide transportation services for a trip(s) within the Niagara Region, Contractors prequalified under this Contract may be contacted to provide the service for that trip(s).

Note:  This scope of Work does not apply to School/Home or Home/School transportation, which is contracted by Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS). 

If you are a current provider for home‐to‐school transportation for Niagara Student Transportation Services (“NSTS”), you are automatically pre‐qualified to provide the Chartered Transportation Services to the DSBN, upon completion of the supplemental documentation related to this Scope of Work. Please contact the DSBN Procurement Contact directly for information.  

Respondent(s) who are currently performing work for the DSBN must also respond to this request to be considered for future work assignment.

Contractors meeting the Mandatory Requirements for the category bid will be Prequalified.

Validity Period

The Prequalified Contractor List will be valid for a period of one (1) year commencing September 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 with consideration to renew the Contract for four (4) optional separate one-year periods ending July 31, 2031, unless terminated earlier by the DSBN (the “Validity Period”).

Service Categories 

Contractors may provide transportation services for transportation between the Niagara Region and to/within other cities, provinces or the United States.

Transport may be via various vehicle types, depending on passenger capacity and distance, such as, Yellow School Bus, White School Bus, Mini Coach, Highway Motor Coach and Other Vehicles. This list is not inclusive. Other types of vehicles may be chartered under this Contract at the DSBN’s sole discretion. 

The DSBN invites Submissions for the services / vehicle type(s) that a Contractor can provide. 

Service Events

Depending on the event, Transportation Services may be required for regular business hours, after hours, weekends and statutory holidays. 

The Contractor may provide service for a variety of student event trips, including, but not restricted to: 

• Athletic Events, Field Trips, and Other Events: Including, but not limited to, student competitions, tournaments, field trips, educational events, and extracurricular activities.
• One-Way Trips: One-way trips from a designated pick-up point to a destination.
• Late Bus Service: Transportation services for late return trips following evening events or activities.
• Multiple Trips Daily: The Contractor must be able to accommodate multiple trips per day from the same designated pick-up and drop-off locations.
• Summer and Winter Camps: Transportation for seasonal camps or retreats.
• Round Trips Within Ontario: Round-trip transportation services for events or trips taking place within Ontario.
• Round Trips from Ontario to Other Provinces and/or United States: Round-trip services to destinations outside Ontario, including cross-border trips to the U.S.
• Trips of Various Lengths: Trips that may vary in length, including several hours, half-day, single-day, or multiple-day trips.
• Regular Shuttle Service: Shuttle services with multiple stops, either within a city or to multiple destinations.

This is not an all-inclusive list. Other types of services may be required. 

Where projects or work differs significantly from the scope of work as described herein, the DSBN reserves the right to utilize a different process and different Contractors.