Request for Proposals: Development of a Rural Mobility Strategic Plan
The Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) is seeking proposals from qualified public transportation planning consultants or consulting teams to complete the development of a Yakima Valley Regional Transit Feasibility Study to determine current transit funding, equipment and operational resources and how those resources can be better utilized to address current and future public transportation needs and gaps; and identify applicable mobility strategies, which may be implemented over time. The study will be undertaken in parallel to the ongoing update of the Coordinated Public Transportation – Human Services Transportation Plan (CPT-HSTP) conducted by YVCOG staff. Both plans are to be completed in 2022.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) does not constitute a contract for services performed or to be performed. Following the selection of the consultant, the YVCOG will negotiate a contract, including a final scope of services and fee structure.
Find solicitation documents at https://www.yvcog.org/transit-feasibility-rfp/
Scope of Work – Services Requested
The chosen planning consultant or consulting team will be responsible for working with YVCOG staff to develop a Regional Transit Feasibility Study report that encompasses the following key components and deliverables:
- Preparation of a transportation services inventory – including formal and informal providers.
- Assessment of rural and under/unserved urban transportation needs – evaluating level of current and latent demand.
- Definition of need – including consideration of specific groups or geographic areas
- Revenue/Expenditure Analysis – including current capital, operational, and maintenance needs for existing and expanded services, such as more frequent stops, accessing unserved populations, equipment, and maintenance projections.
- Stakeholder Analysis such as community organizations, businesses, and elected bodies.
- Focus Group Meetings to assist with the formulation of unmet needs.
- Prospective Rider Surveys – including questions on perception and knowledge of services, as well as determination of barriers to public transportation use
- Completion of a public transportation gap analysis – considering existing services, community needs, and individual mobility concerns
- Determining service gaps are absence of service, funding, human resources, and/or information
- Evaluation of effectiveness and identification of preferred strategies, such as –
- Partnership agreements and contracts among existing service providers
- Improved travel information
- Provision of flexible service options, i.e. contracted cabs and/or “guaranteed ride home”
- Enhanced marketing and outreach
- Provision of community outreach events to showcase successful models implemented elsewhere and to build grass-roots support for selected mobility strategies
- Consider opportunities to coordinate current and future transit services with other transportation modes such as passenger rail, passenger aviation, trails, and paratransit/rideshare.
- Preparation of an executive summary and a detailed multi-year implementation plan with strategic recommendations designed to meet rural and underserved urban resident’s public transportation needs.
It is important to note that for the purpose of this project, the selected consultant or consulting team shall be to focus on developing a comprehensive inventory of all transit related resources (both material and financial), identifying service gaps and opportunities to bridge those gaps, and potential strategies and best practices to improve transit accessibility to underserved and unserved Yakima County residents.
Proposal Timetable
November 1, 2021 Request for Proposals is issued
November 15, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Pre-Application Workshop, via Zoom.
November 19, 2021 Deadline for Questions
November 30, 2021 Posting of FAQ, Frequently asked Questions and Answers
December 8, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Closing date and time for receipt of proposals
January 7, 2022 Finalists contacted; interviews scheduled as needed
January 31, 2022 Final consultant selection; start of contract negotiation
February 7, 2022, 4:30 p.m. Deadline for submission of Aggrieved Appeal form
February 28, 2022 Contract execution; notice to proceed
September 30, 2022 Desired end date of contract
Technical Assistance: Agencies are encouraged to attend the pre-application workshop. If additional assistance is needed, a phone or in-person conference is available. The deadline for technical assistance, including submitting questions is November 19, 2021.
- Pre-Application Workshop: A pre-application workshop will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., via Zoom. The information session will cover application requirements.
- Any questions and answers communicated will be made available in an FAQ posted to the YVCOG website https://www.yvcog.org/transit-feasibility-rfp/. Final edits/additions to the FAQ will be posted on the website by close of business November 30, 2021.
- Technical Assistance: Technical assistance is available to potential applicants through pre-application conferences. Assistance available includes answers about funding regulations and application requirements and discussing the proposed project’s
compliance with program regulations and eligibility for funding. If you would like to submit questions, please email them to alan.adolf@yvcog.org or call Alan Adolf, Program Manager at 509-759-7981.
