NYC DOE Bids info. ( EPP not written in )

[24yrs1181]

This is the May school bus contract "Request for Bids" from nycenet.edu mentioned in status below:
BID TITLE: Transportation Services for Students with Disabilities and Their Non-Disabled Peers
BID NUMBER: B2394
BID DUE DATE & TIME: *NEW! *NEW! May 1, 2015 by 4:00 pm 65 Court St., Room 1201, Brooklyn, NY 11201
BID OPENING DATE & TIME: *NEW! *NEW! (Tentative) May 4 and 5, 2015 School Construction Authority- Atrium 30-30 Thomson Avenue Long Island City New York, 11101
Pre-Bid Conference: December 17, 2013 @ 1:30PM School Construction Authority 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101, 5th floor conference rooms
Space for attendance at the conference is limited to 3 people per company. Please email the names, titles, company name and address of attendees to: WinterBusBidB2394@schools.nyc.gov
This Request for Bids (RFB) is to provide School Bus Transportation for school age students with disabilities and other riders citywide. The Office of Pupil Transportation is seeking bids for approximately 4,000 vehicles to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services to students. It is anticipated that service will begin for the 2015-2016 school year on or about September 1, 2015. This RFB will result in multiple 5-year requirements contracts.
This RFB is for the transportation between the homes and/or stops and schools of city residents with disabilities and other riders between five and twenty-one years of age attending Educational Programs located within the greater metropolitan area (i.e., the five boroughs of New York City; Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York; sites in New Jersey; and, sites in Connecticut so long as they are within a 50 mile radius of the City's boundaries). In addition, this RFB is intended to cover the Board of Education's requirements for transportation between residential treatment facilities and schools, between schools (within and outside of the City) and field trip destinations (within the City only), from after school programs to home or alternative afternoon drop-off locations, and for such other uses as provided herein. With the 2015-2016 School Year, the DOE intends to construct routes to be performed under this (and other) contract(s) based on a wide variety of students being transported on each vehicle. Accordingly, it is anticipated that any vehicle under this contract might transport any combination of students (students with disabilities whose Educational Programs may or may not designate specific transportation requirements as well as non-disabled students).
Login to the Vendor Portal to download BID B2394.
If you cannot download this BID, please send an e-mail to VendorHotline@schools.nyc.gov with the BID Number and title in the subject line of your e-mail. For all questions related to this BID, please send an e-mail to WinterBusBidB2394@schools.nyc.gov with the BID Number and title in the subject line of your e-mail.

[Goose623]

Would be nice to get some answers as to what the f$$k is going on...maybe see a delegate come down to the yard.. All I hear is about a new election.. Who cares about an election if we have no job...

[Just_Right]

This has been postponed since sept,so nothing your posting is new or TRUE.We all know bloomjerk put all the bids out without the epp.And it's a wonder why Buzz allows you to post shit.Your still up to you lies and bullshit.

[Buzz]

This has been postponed since sept,so nothing your posting is new or TRUE.We all know bloomjerk put all the bids out without the epp.And it's a wonder why Buzz allows you to post shit.Your still up to you lies and bullshit.

Thank you. I don't know what his point is. This is the work that was put out the last October or November that Bloomy was in office. NOT news.

[yabba]

this has been public knowledge for many months..why everyone is posting it now doesnt make  sense..i just agree that noone is saying a word..this is the end of our local ,our pension,its all going up in smoke very soon and it seems there is no talk or anything going on..its sad we put our hope into people and noone can say anything good or bad news..

[Buzz]

this has been public knowledge for many months..why everyone is posting it now doesnt make  sense..i just agree that noone is saying a word..this is the end of our local ,our pension,its all going up in smoke very soon and it seems there is no talk or anything going on..its sad we put our hope into people and noone can say anything good or bad news..

The reason is that there IS no news. We have to wait until the state legislature is good and ready to take up the matter of the EPP and it would be easier to move a mountain than to start a fire under their asses.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Obviously people r posting things now because it is getting closer to a possible end of their livelihoods. Just as the so called pink slips HAVE TO go out when June 26 comes and if there is no EPP or not more then a ONE YEAR EXTENSION most likely we & OUR FAMILIES r in deep trouble. Should we not let out r concerns???

[Buzz]

Actually, notices have to go out at least 90 prior to June 26 by law.

And, sure you can voice your concerns, but what was posted is old news.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Well then maybe our Union Leaders can post something. ANYTHING at all (such as we're trying or we're in contact with the Mayor's office) then we can call it NEW NEWS!!!

[24yrs1181]

Because of the lack of any official updates to the pending DOE bids other than " we are working on it " I made this post, there are many people that have no idea that the bids will go out on May 1, 2015, and will involve approximately 4000 runs, the people of Pioneer may have a better channel of information on this subject, this post is for the members that get a confused look from their shop reps when they ask any detailed questions about this pending disaster.

[Buzz]

Because of the lack of any official updates to the pending DOE bids other than " we are working on it " I made this post, there are many people that have no idea that the bids will go out on May 1, 2015, and will involve approximately 4000 runs, the people of Pioneer may have a better channel of information on this subject, this post is for the members that get a confused look from their shop reps when they ask any detailed questions about this pending disaster.

John, the bids are NOT going out in May. They went out before Bloomberg left office and the OPENING of the bids has been postponed for the third time, which is May 1. I think you're confusing the issue all the more by posting like it's something new. I don't know if this is due to confusion, or having one's own agenda.

[Goose623]

Hey Buzz, if pioneer gets extended do we stay on or can he start fresh and get rid of us..

[Buzz]

Hey Buzz, if pioneer gets extended do we stay on or can he start fresh and get rid of us..

He's stuck with us!!!

[yabba]

proud member im with you on your concern and your family and mine are in the same boat.... yes there should be union meetings almost daily at this point ...its sad that there is only a plan A and there was no plan B....  i guess all the policitcal connections lines went dead ...

[PROUD MEMBER]

I voted for Michael this time & last. The only difference is this time my vote was swayed more toward Michael because he was already in talks with the Mayor's Office. At the time I was under the understanding that the International President and Michael had a good relationship with Mayor deBlasio. Also that deBlasio is on board with us. If so I don't understand why the Mayor is waiting for something to happen on the State level. He has the authority to reinstate the EPP without the State. It may not be law but he can do it just like Bloomberg took it away. So my question to the Mayor & Michael is just that?

[Buzz]

I voted for Michael this time & last. The only difference is this time my vote was swayed more toward Michael because he was already in talks with the Mayor's Office. At the time I was under the understanding that the International President and Michael had a good relationship with Mayor deBlasio. Also that deBlasio is on board with us. If so I don't understand why the Mayor is waiting for something to happen on the State level. He has the authority to reinstate the EPP without the State. It may not be law but he can do it just like Bloomberg took it away. So my question to the Mayor & Michael is just that?

You raise a good point and one that others have mentioned to me. Larry and Michael do a have a good relationship with deBlasio and he and the city council are on our side, 100%. But the mayor cannot reinstate the EPP just like Bloomy took it away. The reason is Bloomy had been granted from Albany mayoral control of the schools for a six year period in 2003, I believe. He was granted another 6 years in 2009. That expires June 30th of this year. deBlasio cannot make contracts of this nature that extend beyond that period.

But, instead of asking Cuomo for another 6 year extension of control of schools (which includes the budget) the schmuck asked for PERMANENT control ... something Cuomo was not willing to grant. So, as of now, deBlasio does not have the authority to put the EPP back into a contract that will take effect after his current control expires June 30.

(Whether he will go back to Albany and try for a 6 year extension, I do not know.)

That is the best explanation I can give you and I hope I have done so clearly. It is also as much as I know about it so I doubt I would be able to answer further questions.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Buzz
Thank you for the clarification which makes sense but that leads me to another problem. At a Union Meeting a couple of months ago (the one that was basically about approval or disapproval of the last election) I personally spoke to Michael for about 5 minutes before the meeting started. There was no one else around, no noise, no confusion. I asked him 2 questions. The first was "What do you personally think the chances of keeping the EPP is?" His answer was basically yes. The second question and more importantly (in my opinion) was the exact question that I posted on this site yesterday. It was " Michael if nothing is done on the State level can Mayor deBlasio reinstate it on the City level?" His answer was different from yours. You said NO and explained it. He said "YES" and even had told me the actual term it is called. I forget the term because I was just so happy to hear the word YES. I'm sure you can tell from my Posts & Comments throughout the past year that I do not take things lightly and pay attention to what's going on. Most of all I care about my family & this Local! There are two facts here. Your NO post and Michael's YES to me. All I can say is I hope you are wrong. If not there goes a back up for the EPP if it doesn't go anywhere with the State. Also it means either Michael lied (which I don't believe) right to my face or he didn't know (which I hope not) what he was talking about!

[Buzz]

I can't answer for Michael but I can tell you that the time you spoke to him preceded deBlasio's request for permanent control of the schools being denied, which was just last month.

Also, I would think if deBlasio could do it, he would have done it by now.

[John Eadicicco]

It is ALL bulls..t EPP doesn't matter anymore. Once 1181 deceided to negotiate the contracts separately for each company the EPP went out the window.... How are they going to decide who gets paid what amount if it's reinstated? You tell me??

[driver]

A secretary that works for Reliant Transportation said that they are talking with Neil to purchase the company. I hope this does not happen. If the union is so strong that he is going to get an extention on his contract, why does Reliant want to buy the company??? and if Reliant does take it over with no EPP there would be a board of ed master pick, and $15.00 and hour..  I hope this does not happen.....  just simply what I heard.....

[Buzz]

A secretary that works for Reliant Transportation said that they are talking with Neil to purchase the company. I hope this does not happen. If the union is so strong that he is going to get an extention on his contract, why does Reliant want to buy the company??? and if Reliant does take it over with no EPP there would be a board of ed master pick, and $15.00 and hour..  I hope this does not happen.....  just simply what I heard.....

Wow, that's a stretch. Reliant can't handle the work they have now. It's not uncommon for drivers to be sitting around because there are so many buses broken down or out of service that they don't have one. And they might as well install a revolving door on the place with as many drivers as they have quitting every month.

How many times in the past did we used to "hear" that Atlantic was going to buy us out? I wouldn't put much stock into what you heard at all.

[PROUD MEMBER]

It's been over 2 years since the strike. Does anyone know with certainty just how much the City has saved or not saved due to the removal of the EPP?

[PROUD MEMBER]

I guess my question is a joke just like most things around here. Until the shit hits the fan than the jokes become serious issues. And before someone tells me I'm to serious DON'T because I am serious!

[driver]

thanks for the imput.... still concerned........ what is this hold up?

[PROUD MEMBER]

The reason I ask besides the obvious that I need my job is that to this day I still write letters to our Councilmembers, Public Advocate, Mayor & Governor. If since the removal of the EPP the City is truly saving a substantial amount of money and at the same time statistics show safety & tardiness has not been compromised then I am wasting my time. As I said it's been two years I would think that besides our Leadership posting a letter every few months that they are working with the Mayor's office that they would post some facts such as the ones that I am asking.

[Buzz]

Can't answer your question but you might be interested in the testimony of the Fiscal Policy Institute ... an independent NYS watchdog group ... presented to the city council a year ago. I hope a similar presentation was/will be made in Albany.   

http://fiscalpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FPI-Testimony-School-Bus-Workers-March-27-2014.pdf

[John Eadicicco]

We can all kiss pioneer goodbye in 3 months!!!!!!!!!

[Just_Right]

John Isreal shut the fuk up and stop making the Pioneer people worried more than than already are.You come on this site and all you do is give is negative vibes. Go back to tommy salerno and stick your head up his ass where you belong.

[yabba]

Reliant buying Pioneer...Rotflmao... what is there to buy,there is no contract tied to neil after june as of right now.. basically there could be a bunch of broken down buses used school buses availible after june,and a piece of property is useless..for pioneer school bus the property is gold but without the contract its worthless,look how Roy down the street has had his property for years and  he basically is a landlord to car and truck monthly parking,look at the property taxes he pays ,yes he makes money from parking fees monthly, but not like owning a school bus company....so Reliant intrested in buying pionner right now ,no way unless there is a contract deal we dont know about..

[mirrorcheck]

That is actually  a great point  JohnEadicicco. Negotiations  for each company does what for the EPP. I have always thought that "we not working for the city  , but working  for the contractors" was a disadvantage.  Now without an EPP...that leverage would seem to be even weaker Imo.

[Buzz]

That is actually  a great point  JohnEadicicco. Negotiations  for each company does what for the EPP. I have always thought that "we not working for the city  , but working  for the contractors" was a disadvantage.  Now without an EPP...that leverage would seem to be even weaker Imo.

Seems like you got the cause and effect backwards to me. Individual contracts didn't cause the loss of the EPP. The loss of the EPP caused the individual contracts.

[mirrorcheck]

Buzz I wasn't actually  looking for cause and effect just the result.  If you dipped it in rock candy it wouldn't sugar coat the situation.