School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Safety Program

March 31, 2026
RFP Number: 8120.1
Prebid Conference: April 15, 2026
Due Date: April 24, 2026
To: Prospective Offerors:
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), in collaboration with Montgomery County, Maryland, is issuing this
Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified vendors to provide a comprehensive School Bus Stop-Arm Camera
Safety Program. This program aims to enhance student safety by detecting and deterring illegal passing of stopped
school buses.
A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held on April 15, 2026 at 11:00a.m. EST via Zoom. The
conference will not be recorded. Information to access the conference is contained in the RFP, Section
14.0. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by the close of business, 4:00 p.m., on April 13,
2026.
Please respond according to the instructions provided in the attached. Proposals must be received on or
before April 24, 2026 at 2:00pm. Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered.
Proposals shall be delivered in a sealed envelope with the RFP number, opening date and opening time
indicated in the lower left corner of the envelope. Proposals shall be delivered to MCPS Department of
Procurement, 45 West Gude Drive, Suite 3100, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
The offeror must submit one (1) original, one (1) redacted copy, one (1) electronic version on flash drive
and one (1) separate copy of the proposal. The proposal must be signed by an official having authority to
contract with MCPS. The firm and official's name shall be used. This solicitation does not commit MCPS
to pay any costs incurred in the submission of proposals or guarantee that an award will be made.
In the event of emergency closing of the MCPS Board of Education offices, this RFP will be accepted at
the same time on the next regular working day.
AMD
Enclosure
Sincerely,
Angela McIntosh Davis
Director, Department of Procurement

Office of Financial Management
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Procurement, Suite 3100
45 West Gude Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Request for Proposal #8120.1
SCHOOL BUS STOP-ARM CAMERA SAFETY PROGRAM
Equipment, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Services
1.0 INTENT
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), in collaboration with Montgomery County, Maryland, is
issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified vendors to provide a comprehensive School Bus
Stop-Arm Camera Safety Program. This program aims to enhance student safety by detecting and
deterring illegal passing of stopped school buses.
Maryland law prohibits vehicles from overtaking or passing a stopped school bus operating its alternately
flashing red lights (Md. Code Ann., Transp. 21-706). The violation of this law poses significant safety
risks to students boarding and exiting school buses. To address this critical safety concern, Maryland law
authorizes local jurisdictions to collaborate with boards of education to install school bus monitoring
cameras on school buses to record images of vehicles overtaking and passing stopped school buses and to
impose civil penalties on vehicle owners for violating the law.
MCPS currently operates a fleet of approximately 1,500 school buses, with potential growth to 1,600
buses. The selected vendor will be required to provide, install, operate, and maintain a state-of-the-art
camera system capable of capturing high-quality images and video evidence of stop-arm violations.
The primary objectives of this program are:
* To enhance student safety by deterring illegal passing of stopped school buses through the installation and
operation of exterior-mounted stop-arm cameras
* To capture clear, evidentiary-quality images and video of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses
* To enable efficient identification and processing of violations in coordination with Montgomery County
Police Department (MCPD)
* To provide comprehensive violation processing services including review, citation issuance, payment
processing, and customer service
* To improve public awareness and compliance with school bus safety laws
* To generate accurate data and analytics for program evaluation and continuous improvement
* To provide internal and external surveillance recordings to investigate alleged student misconduct, alleged
staff misconduct, injuries, and accident investigations
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the 15th largest school system in the United States, and the
largest in the state of Maryland. During the 2025-2026 school year, MCPS served more than 156,000 students

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from 157 countries speaking 162 languages. With a Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Operating Budget of approximately
$3.6 billion, MCPS employs more than 25,800 employees. Among the 211 schools that MCPS operates, 45 are
National Blue-Ribbon schools. Six MCPS high schools rank in the top 200 of The Washington Post's 2015
High School Challenge, and all 25 MCPS high schools appear on this list, which only includes the top 11 percent
of high schools in the country. MCPS has one of the highest graduation rates among the nation's largest school
districts, according to an Education Week report. In 2010, MCPS was the recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award, the highest presidential honor given to American organizations for performance
excellence.
3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected Contractor shall provide a complete, turnkey School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Safety Program that
includes all equipment, software, installation, training, operation, maintenance, and violation processing
services. The Contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of the program as detailed below.
3.1 EQUIPMENT AND INTALLATION
The Contractor shall provide and install all necessary equipment on MCPS school buses, including but not
limited to:
* Exterior-mounted stop-arm cameras capable of capturing license plates and vehicle information
* Exterior cameras not targeted toward stop-arm enforcement to capture views of each side of the bus, its
surroundings and traffic
* No less than four interior cameras recording audio and video of the driver seat area, any loading areas,
passenger section
* Non-enforcement cameras must be of sufficient quality, placement and number to provide comprehensive
views to serve the needs for training, surveillance and investigations
* On-board digital video recording systems
* GPS tracking and geolocation systems
* Communication hardware for data transmission
* All necessary mounting hardware, cabling, and power supplies
* Any additional hardware and software needed to ensure full system functionality
* All hardware and software for video retrieval
3.1.2 System Operation and Monitoring
The Contractor shall:
* Monitor system functionality daily using automated health check systems
* Ensure continuous operation of all installed equipment
* Collect and securely transmit digital images and video footage to the Contractor's servers
* Review captured violations for quality and evidentiary standards
* Provide a secure web-based portal for authorized MCPS and County personnel to access system data
3.1.3 Violation Processing System
The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive Violation Processing System that includes:
* Initial review and analysis of all captured violations

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* Vehicle owner identification through Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) records
* Preparation of violation packages for County review and approval
* Citation printing and mailing within 14 days of the violation date
* Provision of online payment portal for citation recipients
* Processing of all payment methods (online, mail, phone, in-person)
* Comprehensive customer service center including phone and email support
* Management of disputes, appeals, and hearings coordination
* Timely distribution of collected revenues to MCPS and the County
3.1.4 Maintenance and Technical Support
The Contractor shall:
* Provide all necessary maintenance and repairs to installed equipment
* Maintain adequate inventory of spare parts and replacement equipment
* Designate a Maintenance Supervisor and sufficient staff for timely repairs
* Respond promptly to system failures and equipment malfunctions
* Provide equipment upgrades and technology improvements as needed
* Replace stolen, damaged, or inoperable equipment at no cost to MCPS
3.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - SEE APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
The proposed system must meet or exceed the following technical specifications:
3.2.1 Camera System Requirements
* High-definition video capture capability (minimum 1080p resolution)
* Ability to capture clear license plate images in various lighting and weather conditions
* Wide-angle coverage to capture approaching and passing vehicles
* Automatic activation when stop-arm is deployed
* Timestamping and GPS coordinates embedded in all captures
* Durable, weatherproof construction suitable for all-season operation
* Ability to capture multiple lanes of traffic simultaneously
* Internal Camera to monitor the driver's activities with audio and video
* Internal camera to record audio and video of each passenger loading area
* Internal camera to record audio and video of the front third of the bus passenger cabin
* Internal camera to record audio and video of middle section of the bus passenger cabin
* Internal camera to record audio and video of the rear section of the bus passenger cabin with the
downward view of the back rows
* External cameras that record each passenger loading/unloading area
* External cameras each side of the bus, its surroundings and traffic such that evidence for accident
investigations would be gathered with minimal blindspots
* External camera with a rear view facing down
3.2.2 Data Storage and Management
* Secure on-board storage with redundancy capabilities
* Automated wireless data transmission via cellular or WiFi networks
* Cloud-based storage with appropriate retention policies

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* Encryption of all data in transit and at rest
* Chain of custody documentation for all evidentiary materials
3.2.3 Software Platform Requirements
* Web-based access portal compatible with modern browsers
* Role-based access control with individual user credentials
* Real-time system status monitoring and reporting
* License plate recognition (LPR) capabilities
* Integration capabilities with County systems for citation approval workflow
* Comprehensive reporting and analytics tools
* Audit trail functionality for all user actions
* Mobile-responsive design for field access
3.2.4 Compliance and Security Requirements
* Compliance with all federal, state, and local privacy laws
* Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
* Disaster recovery and business continuity plans
* Prevention of unauthorized video downloads through tracking mechanisms
3.3 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for the following:
3.3.1 Project Management
* Designate a dedicated Program Manager as the primary point of contact
* Develop and maintain project implementation schedule
* Coordinate all activities with MCPS and Montgomery County staff
* Provide regular status updates and progress reports
* Manage all subcontractors and vendors
3.3.2 Installation and Deployment
* Develop phased installation plan with minimal disruption to bus operations
* Provide all labor, materials, and equipment for installation
* Conduct thorough testing of all installed systems before activation
* Complete installation on all buses according to agreed schedule
* Coordinate with MCPS Division of Transportation Services for bus availability
3.3.3 Quality Assurance
* Implement comprehensive quality control procedures
* Review all violation captures for accuracy and evidentiary quality
* Reject false positives and non-violations before submission to County
* Ensure citation packages meet legal and procedural requirements
3.3.4 Customer Service

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* Operate a customer service center with adequate staffing during business hours
* Provide multiple contact methods (phone, email, online portal)
* Respond to inquiries within established timeframes
* Handle payment processing and account inquiries
* Manage dispute resolution and hearing coordination
* Maintain professional and courteous communication at all times
* Provide support for other video retrieval activities for security, misbehavior and accident investigations
3.3.5 Legal and Regulatory Compliance
* Ensure all operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws
* Remain current with changes in relevant legislation and regulations
* Acknowledge that all citation issuance decisions rest solely with the County
* Provide expert testimony and support for contested citations as needed
3.4. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall meet the following minimum performance standards:
3.4.1 System Uptime and Availability
* Maintain a minimum of 85% system uptime for all operational school buses equipped with cameras on
assigned routes each month ("Uptime Average")
* Provide monthly reporting of Uptime Average
* Respond to equipment failures within 24 hours of notification
* Complete repairs or replacement within 5 business days of failure notification
3.4.2 Violation Processing Timeliness
* Submit violation packages to County for review within 3 business days of capture
* Mail citations within 14 days of violation date after County approval
* Ensure no citations are mailed beyond statutorily established spoilage dates
* Process payments and update accounts within 1 business day of receipt
3.4.3 Quality Standards
* Maintain accuracy rate of 95% or higher for license plate identification
* Achieve citation dismissal rate of less than 10% for quality-related issues
* Ensure all submitted violations meet evidentiary standards
3.4.4 Customer Service Standards
* Answer phone calls within 3 minutes during business hours
* Respond to email inquiries within 2 business days
* Maintain customer satisfaction rating of 80% or higher
* Resolve complaints within 10 business days
3.5 DATA MANAGEMENT/PRIVACY AND SECURITY

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The Contractor agrees to safeguard all digital images, video, metadata, and other data obtained as part of the
School Bus Safety Camera Program ("Data") at all times. The Contractor shall:
3.5.1 Confidentiality Requirement
* Utilize Data only for purposes consistent with the scope of this RFP
* Exercise due care in safeguarding Data against loss, theft, or inadvertent disclosure
* Establish safeguards consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law
* Comply with Board of Education policies and MCPS regulations relating to data security
* Protect student information and other sensitive data in accordance with FERPA and other applicable laws
3.5.2 Data Access and Control
* Implement role-based access controls with individual user credentials
* Ensure user credentials are not shared among users
* Restrict access to video content and incident data based on user roles
* Track and prevent unauthorized video downloads
* Maintain comprehensive audit logs of all system access and user actions
3.5.3 Data Retention and Disposal
* Maintain data retention policies compliant with Maryland law
* Securely dispose of data according to established schedules
* Provide data portability and return of all data upon contract termination
* Certify destruction of all copies after contract conclusion
3.5.4 Cybersecurity Requirements
* Implement industry-standard encryption for data in transit and at rest
* Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing
* Maintain incident response and breach notification procedures
* Notify MCPS and County within 24 hours of any security incident or data breach
* Provide evidence of cybersecurity insurance coverage
As specified in more detail in the MCPS General Contract Articles and elsewhere in this RFP, the vendor will
comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to this project, including
but not limited to the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA"), 20 U.S.C.
1232g, and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. part 99), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
("COPPA"), 15 U.S.C. 6501-6505, and its implementing regulations (16 C.F.R. 312, et seq.), the Protection
of Pupil Rights Amendment, ("PPRA") 20 U.S.C, 1232(h) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. 98.1
et seq.), the Maryland Student Privacy Act of 2015, Md. Ed. Code Ann., 4-131, Code of Maryland Regulations
(COMAR) 13A.08, as well as applicable Board of Education policies and MCPS regulations, including but not
limited to MCPS Regulation AFA-RA, Research and Other Data Collection Activities in Montgomery County
Public Schools, MCPS Regulation JOA-RA, Student Records, and MCPS Regulation JFF-RA, Federal
Requirements for Use of Protected Student Information.
3.6 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall provide comprehensive reporting to MCPS and Montgomery County on a regular basis. All
reports shall be provided in electronic format unless otherwise specified.

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3.6.1 Monthly Reports
* The following reports shall be provided by the 10th day of each month for the preceding month:
* System Uptime Report showing operational status by bus and route
* Violation Statistics Report including number of violations captured, reviewed, submitted, and approved
* Citation Issuance Report detailing citations issued, mailed, and pending
* Payment Report showing payments received by type and location
* Customer Service Report including call volumes, inquiry types, and response times
* Revenue Collection Report with detailed breakdown and distribution
* Maintenance and Repair Log
3.6.2 Quarterly Reports
* Program Performance Analysis comparing metrics against established goals
* Trend Analysis showing violation patterns by location, time, and route
* Customer Satisfaction Survey Results
3.6.3 Annual Reports
* Comprehensive Annual Program Report including year-to-date statistics and program analysis
* Safety Impact Assessment evaluating program effectiveness
* Technology Assessment and Upgrade Recommendations
3.6.4 Ad Hoc Reporting
* Contractor shall provide additional reports as reasonably requested by MCPS or County
* Real-time access to system data through web portal
3.7 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall provide comprehensive training to MCPS and County personnel to ensure effective use
of the School Bus Safety Camera System and associated software platforms.
3.7.1 Initial Training
Prior to program launch, the Contractor shall provide training covering:
* System overview and functionality
* Software platform navigation and features
* Violation review and approval procedures
* Data access and reporting tools
* Privacy and security requirements
3.7.2 Ongoing Training
* Provide training for new users within 2 weeks of request
* Conduct refresher training sessions annually or as needed
* Provide training on system updates and new features
3.7.3 Training Delivery Methods

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* In-person training sessions at MCPS facilities
* Virtual/webinar training options
* Recorded training modules for self-paced learning
* Written user guides and reference materials
* Ongoing technical support and helpdesk services
3.7.4 Training Documentation
* Provide comprehensive user manuals and training materials
* Maintain training records and attendance logs
* Update documentation to reflect system changes
It is the intention to award to the most favorable respondent(s) based on the evaluation criteria in Section 12.0.
However, the Montgomery County Board of Education reserves the right to make awards according to the best
interest of MCPS. This request for proposal may result in multiple awards.
In determining the qualifications of an offeror, MCPS will consider the offeror's record and performance of
any prior contracts with MCPS, federal departments or agencies, or other public bodies, including but not
limited to the offeror's record providing online digital curriculum services to MCPS or other schools or school
districts. MCPS expressly reserves the right to reject the proposal of any offeror if the investigation discloses
that the offeror, in the opinion of MCPS, has not properly performed such prior contracts or has habitually and
without just cause neglected the payment of bills or has otherwise disregarded its obligations to subcontractors
or employees.
MCPS may conduct any necessary investigation to determine the ability of the offeror to perform the work,
and the offeror shall furnish to MCPS all such information and data requested, such as information about its
reputation, past performance, business and financial capability and other factors that demonstrate that the
provider is capable of satisfying MCPS' needs and requirements for a specific contract. MCPS reserves the
right to reject any proposal if the evidence submitted by the offeror or investigation of such offeror fails to
satisfy MCPS that such offeror is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete
all requirements contemplated therein. Consideration will be given to any previous performance with MCPS
as to the quality and the acceptability of bidder's services.
All offerors submitting a proposal shall include evidence that they maintain a permanent place of business.
Copies of any appropriate licenses necessary to perform this work shall be submitted with each proposal.
Offerors also shall demonstrate that they have adequate staff to perform the required services. Use of
subcontractor(s) and/or third-party providers, if any, must be specifically identified within the proposal.
Subcontractor and/or third-party provider roles shall be clearly expressed. MCPS reserves the right to accept
or reject use of proposed subcontractor(s) and/or third-party provider(s).
MCPS reserves the right to add or delete Contractors throughout the contract term should MCPS
determine, in its sole discretion, that there be a need for additional services not available from the
awarded Contractors.
4.0 CONTRACT TERM
The initial term of contract shall be for an initial two (2) year as stipulated on the RFP. The contract may not
begin until one day after approval by the MCPS Board of Education and will conclude as stated under the
contract term. MCPS reserves the right to extend this contract at existing prices, terms and conditions for up to

9 RFP 8120.1
three additional terms for one (1) year each. Written notice indicating MCPS' intention to pursue the extension
of the contract will be issued to the successful vendor 90 days prior to the expiration of the original contract.
The vendor shall have ten (10) days from the date of notification to return the notice acknowledging its intent
to accept or reject the extension.
Once all responses are evaluated, MCPS staff may make a recommendation to the MCPS Board of Education
to extend the contract or decide to rebid. If the contract is extended by the MCPS Board of Education, a contract
amendment will be issued.
5.0 PRICING STRUCTURE
Proposers shall provide detailed pricing information for all services described in this RFP. MCPS is seeking
proposals that are cost-effective and provide value to the program.
5.1 Pricing Model Options
Proposers may submit pricing based on one or more of the following models:
* Revenue-sharing model based on percentage of collected citation fines as outlined above of at least
40%
* Per-violation fee model
* Per-bus monthly or annual fee model
* Hybrid model combining elements of the above
* Alternative pricing models (must be fully explained)
5.2 Required Pricing Information
Proposals must include detailed breakdowns of all costs, including:
* Equipment costs (if applicable)
* Installation costs (if applicable)
* Monthly or annual service fees
* Per-violation processing fees
* Maintenance and support costs
* Training costs
* Any additional fees or charges
5.3 Pricing Assumptions
Proposers shall base pricing on the following assumptions:
* Initial fleet size of almost 1,500 buses
* Potential growth to 1,600 buses during contract term
* 5-year initial contract term with renewal options
* Current fine amount of $_______ per citation (subject to change by law)
5.4 Payment Terms
* Proposers shall specify proposed payment terms and invoicing schedule
* All costs associated with equipment, installation, maintenance, and operations shall be borne by the
Contractor unless otherwise specified