RFP 2025-0500-0294 Alaska School Bus Inspection Program

The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Division of Finance & Support Services, is seeking a Contractor to conduct basic safety inspections and combined basic safety/mechanical inspections on approximately 1000 school buses throughout the State of Alaska. During the fall and spring inspections, at least one-half of each operator's fleet must receive a combined mechanical/basic safety inspection, with the remaining portion receiving basic safety inspections. The Contractor will be responsible for selecting the buses to receive the combined mechanical/basic safety inspection, unless otherwise directed by the DEED Project Director.

Alaska Statute 14.090.30(b)(2) requires the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) in co-ordination with the Department of Public Safety Transportation and Public Facilities to inspect each school bus twice each calendar year. The Legislature has appropriated funds to the Department of Education & Early Development annually since FY1991 for the purpose of carrying out this statutory requirement.

The current school bus inspection program described in the Alaska School Bus Safety Inspection Manual (Attachment 5), consists of a minimum of one Basic Safety Inspection program and one Combined Mechanical/Basic Safety Inspection conducted on all public-school buses each calendar year.

New or used school buses placed into service in Alaska for the first time will also receive a Minimum Standards Inspection upon delivery to a school district or school district contractor, upon arrival at the local bus dealership prior to delivery from Anchorage, other easily accessed sites, or at the first inspection cycle after delivery. This program requires travel to approximately 45 school districts, some with multiple location sites in Alaska. Inspectors must be highly trained, have expertise in reviewing preventive maintenance records and be willing to provide technical assistance on-site to help bus owners improve bus maintenance programs and record-keeping systems.

The objective of the school bus inspection program is to increase the safety margin already provided by school bus construction standards. Regular and consistent safety and mechanical inspections will help to ensure that public school buses remain the safest form of ground transportation for our public-school children.

See attachments for additional information.