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PSS sees end to bus problems soon
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Posted on Feb 08 2005
The Public School System is optimistic that it would soon resolve the shortage of school buses that is plaguing the school system.
Public School System associate commissioner David M. Borja said that PSS is actively publishing their bid bulletins for the acquisition of four additional 66-capacity buses and eight 10-passenger vans. Two of the vans will be shipped to Rota, while one will go to Tinian.
Borja said that PSS has already received two federal grants for the purchase of the additional buses, but the first grant—which would have allowed PSS to buy three 66-capacity buses and 14 10-capacity passenger vans—was withheld due to protests raised by a non-winning bidder. The protesting bidder had contested the validity of the licenses of the other bidders.
“We are still trying to wrap up the protest. We’re almost at conclusion,” said Borja.
He said that, by the end of this week, PSS will be able to re-issue the bid request for the first grant, inviting new bidders for the bus project.
“Hopefully, we would be able to go and sign the contract for the purchase of the buses with one vendor and 14 vans by another vendor,” he added.
Although the first grant is on hold at the moment, Borja said that PSS would stay with the qualified vendors who have already been determined during the previous evaluation, plus any new bidders who may come in.
Borja said he wants the bidding to be in a “win-win-win” situation for everyone, “PSS wins, one bidder wins, and other bidder wins for this requirement,” he said.
Borja remains optimistic on this issue for the sake of the children he said.
If PSS could acquire 15 buses for the 15 public schools, the bus problem will be solved on Saipan alone. Right now PSS is down to eight buses from nine; three others are being maintained. PSS had 20 school buses in 1994.
The bid bulletin for the second grant will run for 30 days before qualified bidders are short-listed, said Borja, so public school students will still have to wait but he assured that this step will go a long way to finally solve the bus shortage problem.
