Grand - Jackson Transit Advisory Committee (TAC)

Transit Advisory Committee  

[Initial] Request for Proposals 

 GRAND COUNTY TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Request For Proposal

Professional Consulting Services for Transportation Development Program

Proposal Deadline -  November 16, 1999  

I.             PURPOSE    

Grand County is soliciting proposals from qualified professional consultants to produce a Transportation Development Program (TDP) specifically for the years 2001 through 2007, with more generally planning through year 2020, for Grand County and the communities of Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Parshall, Tabernash, and Winter Park in northwestern Colorado.  Portions of Rocky Mountain National Park, several National Forests and a geothermal hot springs are situated in Grand County, as are many places to ski (alpine and nordic)  and snowmobile (Winter Park, Silver Creek, Berthoud, Devil's Thumb, YMCA, Grand Lake) and to participate in abundant summer recreational and festival activities (Grand Lake,  the several reservoirs, Silver Creek, Winter Park/Fraser Valley).  These natural and cultural amenities create extensive year-round and seasonal tourism in the County.  In order to meet the next state funding cycle deadline,  a final TDP will be expected by November 1, 2000.  

II.             PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS  

A.         Format, Background & Deadlines:  

1. Bid proposals and all attachments must be in writing and received at the offices of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners at 308 Byers Avenue, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado 80451 by 4:00 PM on November 16, 1999. Fax proposals will not be accepted.   It is the responsibility of each prospective Consultant to ensure that their proposal arrives at the County offices at or prior to the time and date indicated above. Proposals not timely received will be returned unopened. The Consultant is expected to meet the following timetable:  

November 16, 1999 &     Proposals due from Potential Consultants

December 6, 1999         --     Short List Potential Consultants Notified of Request to Augment RFP response/negotiations

December 24, 1999      --      Short list proposal augmentations due/negotiations

January 12, 2000 --     Consultant contract awarded

July 1, 2000 --     Draft TDP due from Consultant to TAC and others

July 1-31, 2000             --      Review of Draft by TAC and others

Aug. 1-October 1, 2000 --     Public Comment and Revision Period

November 1, 2000 --     Final TDP due  

2. Six (6) copies of each bid should be received.  Bids should be in two separate sealed envelopes; one sealed envelope clearly marked ìBID/PROPOSAL & TDP:  Scope of Work and Timelineî containing six (6) copies of all portions of the proposal other than cost, and a second sealed envelope clearly marked ìBID/PROPOSAL & TDP:  Itemized Costs of Proposalî containing six (6) copies of only the dollar cost figures in total and itemized by Task # __, Approach (or Product) #___.    

3. A cover sheet shall be submitted with each proposal.  The cover sheet shall list the Consultant with names and phone number of persons who may be contacted to answer questions. Also, the cover sheet shall state who prepared the proposal and how they can be reached.  Included with the proposal shall be the names and personal resumes of each principal of the Consultant's firm and any person who will be assigned to or responsible for preparing this TDP.

4. Each potential Consultant shall submit with their proposal an indication of their qualifications to prepare a TDP, including experience and descriptive examples of their work.  Examples should be representative work of the specific individuals who would be assigned to this project.

5. The proposal shall include references from other clients who have received similar or noteworthy services. Please provide name, business or agency affiliation and a current phone number at which to contact such references.

6. Proposals must be signed by a duly authorized officer(s) of the firm.  Consortiums, joint ventures, or teams submitting proposals, although permitted and encouraged, will not be considered responsive unless it is established that all contractual responsibility rests solely with one contractor or one legal entity which shall not be a subsidiary or affiliate with limited resources.  Each such submittal should indicate the entity responsible for execution on behalf of the team.

7. Questions regarding the proposal process, the specifications or scope of work must  be (a) submitted in writing to the TAC chairperson [Sue Ann Fitch, Chair, Grand County Transit Advisory Committee, P. O. Box 1808, Grand Lake, CO  80447 (or by e-mail at esmerelda1@hotmail.com)], and (b) received not later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 1999.  Responses to any written communication will be made available to each known prospective Consultant.  Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of any Contract are not binding.  Oral or written explanations or instructions received other than from the TAC by this process are not binding. 

8. Grand County and the Transit Advisory Committee reserve the right to request clarifications, in writing and/or by oral interview, to any element of the prospective Consultant's bid/proposal package.  Grand County and the Transit Advisory Committee also reserve the right to enter into a contract with any prospective Consultant based upon its initial proposal or on the basis of a best and final offer without conducting oral interviews, requesting or receiving and bid/proposal augmentation, or issuing any supplements or addenda to this RFP.  

            B.            Specific Terms and Conditions  

1. Proposals shall be firm for a period of 90 days commencing November 16, 1999.  

2. Ineligible contract participants.  Any person or entity on the U.S. Attorney General's list of ineligible contractors will not be considered.  No member of or delegate to the Congress of the United States shall be admitted to any share or part of any resultant contract or to any benefit arising therefrom.  No member, officer, employee of Grand County, member of its governing body or of the Transit Advisory Committee, or of a local public body having jurisdiction within Grand County's service area, during his or her tenure or one year thereafter, shall have an interest, direct or indirect, in any contract resulting from this RFP or the proceeds thereof.    

3. Incorporation of RFP and response in contract.  This RFP and the submitted bid/proposal will become a part of any contract or Purchase Order issued for this project.  Any changes shall be mutually agreed upon and incorporated in writing into the final executed contract document.  

4.  Addenda and supplements to RFP.  In the event that it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, if additional information is necessary to enable the prospective Consultant to make an adequate interpretation of the provisions of this RFP, then necessary supplements to the RFP will be provided to each prospective Consultant.  Receipt of all addenda must be acknowledged by each prospective Consultant.  

5. Rejection rights/Contigency.  Grand County and the Transit Advisory Committee reserve the right to reject any or all bids and proposals, to waive informalities or irregularities in the proposals received, to reject non-conforming, non-responsive, conditional or qualified proposals, to re-solicit bids/proposals, to withdraw this RFP and/or to accept the bid/proposal which, in the their judgment, best serves the interests of Grand County.  All prospective Consultants are notified that the execution of a contract pursuant to this RFP is dependent upon appropriation by Grand County and the voting members of the Transit Advisory Committee of the necessary funds and upon the negotiation of a mutually acceptable contract with the successful Consultant.  

6. Costs of Proposal Preparation & no reimbursement.  No reimbursement will be made by Grand County, the TAC or any member thereof for any costs incurred prior to award of the Consultant's contract.  Grand County, the TAC and its members shall be held harmless and free from any and all liability, claims, or expenses whatsoever incurred by, or on behalf of any person or entity responding to this RFP.  

7. Firm Cost Itemization/Discrepancies.  All price quotations shall be firm and provided both in total and itemized according to task and approach/product specified (i.e. itemized by Task # __ and Approach (or Product) #___), including direct labor, overhead, general administrative expenses, materials, travel and profit.  In the event of a discrepancy between the unit cost proposal and the price extension, the unit cost proposal will be deemed intended by the proposed Consultant, and the extension will be adjusted accordingly.  In the event of a discrepancy between the sum of the extended amounts and the total proposal price, the sum of the extended amounts shall govern.  

8. Taxes.  Unless otherwise indicated, the prices set forth in the bid/proposal shall not include taxes of any kind.  

C.         General Terms and Conditions  

All workmanship in the performance of these services shall be of highest quality, and shall include the latest innovations and developments available.  

1. Payment Terms.  Monthly partial payments based upon the professionals' billing are permissible.  The amounts of partial payments shall be based upon the TAC verifying the Consultant's progress in completing the TDP.  

2. Assignment.   The Consultant shall not assign, transfer, convert, sublet, or otherwise dispose of the contract or its right, title or interest in any part thereof without written consent from Grand County and the Transit Advisory Committee.  

3. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.   The Consultant shall comply with all State and Federal laws and regulations in preparing the TDP and, if requested by the TAC or Grand County, shall supply certification and evidence of such compliance.  The contract shall be construed pursuant to the laws of the State of Colorado and venue for any dispute shall be Grand County.  

4. Equal Employment Opportunity.   In connection with this proposal, the Consultant shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, being handicapped, a disadvantaged person, or a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, except where religion, sex or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the Consultant.  The Consultant will take affirmative action to insure that applicants are employed without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status being handicapped, a disadvantaged person, or a disabled or Vietnam era veteran.  Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training. The Consultant agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause. The Consultant, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Consultant, will state that such Consultant is an equal opportunity employer. Notices, advertisements and solicitations placed in accordance with federal law, rule or regulation shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of meeting the requirements of this section.  The Consultant will furnish all necessary information and reports and will permit access to its books, records, and accounts by the TAC and Grand County for purposes of investigation to business provisions of any resultant contract.  

5. Preference for Local Labor and Materials for Labor.  In compliance with C.R.S. ß 8-17-101 and &102, preference shall be given to Colorado labor in the several classifications of skilled and common labor, and not less than eighty percent (80%) of each type or class of labor in the several classifications of skilled and common labor employed shall be Colorado labor.  The term ìColorado laborî means any person who has been a bona fide resident of the State of Colorado for a period of not less than one (1) year, without discrimination as to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin or handicap.  Further, the Consultant shall make an affirmative effort to employ, where at all possible, qualified local (Grand County) labor as part of the work force.  Local sub-contractors must comply with union labor agreements to which the Consultant and/or its sub-contractors are bound, if any.  Finally, each prospective Consultant is notified that, in compliance with C.R.S. ß 8-18-101, when a contract for commodities or services is to be awarded to a bidder, a resident bidder as defined in C.R.S. ß8-19-102(2) shall be allowed a preference against a nonresident bidder equal to the preference given or required by the state in which the nonresident bidder is resident.  

6. No Waiver of Governmental Immunity.  Nothing in this RFP and/or any contract resulting therefrom shall be construed against Grand County, the TAC or its members to waive the provisions of the Governmental Immunity Act of the State of Colorado, C.R.S. ß 24-10-101 et. seq.  

7. Noncompliance.  In the event of the Consultant's noncompliance with the nondiscrimination provisions of any contract resulting from this RFP, Grand County and/or the TAC shall impose such contract sanctions as it may determine to be appropriate, including, but not limited to withholding of payments under the contract until the Consultant complies, and/or cancellation, termination, or suspension of the contract, in whole or in part.  

8. Allowable Costs.    Allowable costs under any subsequent contract will be determined in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).   

9. Insurance.  Consultant shall provide and keep in force at its own expense the following minimum insurance for itself and its employees in connection with their work under this project.  

a. Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability: Statutory  

b. General Liability: $1,000,000 each occurrence and aggregate  

c. Liability Insurance: $150,000 each occurrence and $800,000 aggregate.  

Certificates evidencing such coverage shall be furnished to the TAC prior to commencing any work under any contract resulting from this RFP and any supplements or addenda thereto.  The certificates must show the Contract Number and give a brief description of the work to be performed.  Each certificate must contain a provision that coverages afforded under such policies will not be cancelled or permitted to lapse unless at least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to Grand County and the TAC at the address set forth in II.A.1. above.  Insurance companies providing coverage shall have and maintain an A Best rating for the duration of any contracting resulting from this RFP and any supplements or addenda thereto.  Self-insured liability coverage will be permitted; however, any Consultant utilizing self-insurance shall provide Grand County and the TAC with an irrevocable Letter of Credit for the total amount of self-insurance from a financial institution that is listed by Standard & Poors (S&P) in one of the three highest credit categories.  The deductible limit for damages to vehicles or property shall not exceed $10,000.00.  

9. Debriefing.   An unsuccessful proposed Consultant may request, in writing, a formal debriefing. 

10. Indemnification.  The Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless Grand County, the Transit Advisory Committee and its members against and from all liability, claims, damages, demands and cost, including attorneys' fees of every kind and nature and attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death or damage to or destruction of property resulting from or in any manner arising out of or in connection with the project and the performance of the work under any contract resulting from this RFP and any supplements or addenda thereto.  

11. Waiver  By submission of its bid/proposal, the proposed Consultant represents and warrants that it has sufficiently informed itself in all matters affecting the performance of the work or the furnishing of the labor, services, supplies, materials, or equipment called for in this RFP; that it has checked its bid/proposal for errors and omissions; that the prices stated in its bid/proposal are correct, as intended by it and are a complete and correct statement of its prices for performing the labor, services, supplies, materials or equipment required by any contract resulting from this RFP and any supplements or addenda thereto.  

12. Confidentiality of Financial Information.  Financial information required to be submitted with bids/proposals to establish financial responsibility, cost proposals and other financial data, such as overhead rates, etc. shall be handled as confidential data and utilized on a ìneed-to- knowî basis for bid/proposal evaluation.  

D.         The proposed Consultant whose bid/proposal is accepted shall enter into a written contract with Grand County and shall furnish certificates of insurance as set forth above in II.C.9 within fourteen (14) days after contract award.  

III.            AWARD OF CONTRACT  

After receipt of proposals (and any proposal augmentations requested from the proposed Consultant short list), the Transit Advisory Committee will use the following factors in selecting the Consultant for the project:  

1. Understanding of Project.  Clearly demonstrated understanding of the proposed project and completeness.  (grasp of issues and relevance of objectives) (Weighted Value = 25%)  

2. Overall technical approach. (Responsiveness, clarity, quality and originality)  (Weighted value = 20%)  

3. Personnel qualifications.  Substantiated representations regarding the Consultant's capabilities and professional competence in providing the services required and experience in completing similar projects. (quality/relevance of firm/team experience, availability)  (Weighted Value = 20%)  

4. Cost of service and schedule (reasonable and appropriate emphasis)  (Weighted Value = 20%)  

5. References (Weighted Value = 15%)  

IV.            SPECIFICATIONS/SCOPE OF WORK  

A.             Summary  

The final product required of the Consultant is a Transportation Development Plan (TDP) which meets Federal funding requirements and the suggestions of the Colorado Department of Highways (C-DOT) in How to Write a TDP:  Guidelines for Rural and Small Urban Areas, Vol. 1, January 1990, and all applicable updates.  

Grand County, its communities and various private employers are coordinating and funding the preparation of this TDP. A Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) has been appointed to supervise and assist the Consultant in the preparation of a TDP.  It is expected that the TDP will provide specific transit need analyses and proposals for operating and funding solutions for a transit program addressing those identified needs.  The detailed focus of the TDP should be a six-year (2001-2007) wheeled transit development plan.  However, it is also expected that the TDP will also provide the broad outlines, gradually less detailed over time, of a phased nineteen-year (2001-2020) master transit development plan (planning & publicity, development/implementation, review/enhancement) as to all transit modalities.  In order to enhance public funding possibilities, the TDP should address not only in-County transit needs, but also integration of Grand County transit services with services provided by or to/from other communities including:  Kremmling/Silverthorne (Hgwy. 9), Steamboat/Routt/Moffat County (U.S. 40), Denver (U.S. 40, I-70), Rocky Mountain National Park west side (U.S. 34), Estes Park (U.S. 34, summer only) and North Park/Walden (Hgwy. 125).  

            In addition, the TDP should address coordination of existing transit services to achieve cost efficiencies and reduction of duplication.  

            The TDP should build upon the previous Grand County TDP, 1986-1990, and the Grand County Specialized TDP, Elderly & Handicapped, 1991-1996.  However, the baseline data in those documents may be outdated.  Therefore, the 2001 - 2007 TDP should also benefit from the review and consideration of at least the following more recent planning efforts within this region:  

The Northwest Colorado 2020 Transportation Plan

  RMNP draft Transportation Study (in progress)

  The Grand County Master [Growth] Plan (April 1998)

  The Grand County Housing Authority Profiles 

  Colorado Passenger Rail Study (1996), Northwest Corridor/Moffat tunnel section

  Grand County Lifestyles:  Summary of Results of Surveys, Focus Groups & Public Records Gathered 1991-1995

  Existing TDPs/updates of Moffat/Routt and Larimer/Weld counties

  Summit County TDP Update 2000-2005 (June 1999)

  Summit County Commuter Connections Survey (June 1998)

                                      Needs Study, Fraser Valley Recreation District

                                      I-70 Corridor Study (C-DOT, in progress)

                                      Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Demographic Review (July 1997)

  Resort Towns and State Revenues, prepared by Browne, Bortz & Coddington, Inc., for Colo. Ass'n of Ski Towns (CAST) and Colo. Ski Country, USA, (November 1993)  

To the extent that these and other existing resources do not include updated Grand County transit (resident, regional commuter and visitor travel patterns) and/or funding acceptability information, the Consultant is expected to conduct a survey(s) to obtain data in these areas. This survey(s) will provide additional baseline data for the TDP.   

Thus, the current TDP requires a comprehensive new data collection effort and plan for services.   The TDP should also:  

  identify unmet transportation needs in, to and from Grand County

  identify transit users and appropriate service areas

  review and synthesize the work already produced by the community

create a transit plan and implementation schedule that fits within the recommended financial plan

discuss various funding options and analyze the pros, cons and public acceptability of each

. recommend a financial structure and plan to meet all capital and operating funding requirements for the initial six-year period, including a budget schedule

provide specific suggestions for consolidating existing transit service networks to increase efficiencies and reduce duplication and cost

coordinate with county and municipal land use planning, including by examining the impact of land use decisions on transportation needs and the exploring opportunities for preservation of transportation corridors 

The Consultant should be prepared to present a work plan for review by the TAC that will satisfy these multiple interests.  The Transit Advisory Committee will approve the Consultant's work plan prior to beginning the study.  

B.            Task 1 - Study Administration and Organization  

1. Objective: to provide advice and guidance in regard to the development of the study and review its progress  

2. Approach  

a. a Transit Advisory Committee (TAC), with representation from various geographical portions of the study area, local governments and school districts, transit providers and interested private citizens/employers has been formed.  The members of the TAC were selected on the basis of expertise and/or geographical location so they can review and comment on what would work best in their area and for their needs in regard to the management and operation of a transportation program.  

b. the TAC will establish the specific goals and objectives for transit in the study area and the TDP, and will meet with the Consultant to review products of the TDP development at key points and approve the final product before the public comment period and/or distribution.  

c. the staff of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners will be responsible for arranging for and publicizing TAC meetings, public comment meetings, meeting notices, agendas and materials, and compilation and distribution of minutes of meetings  

d. TAC representatives and the Consultant will arrange and attend at least six public meetings on the TDP; three in various regions of the county during the information gathering process and three in various regions of the county during the draft-to-final public comment period. These public meetings shall be held in Fraser/Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling.  

3. Product: the TAC provides an appropriate means to ensure that the development of the TDP addresses the concerns of the residents, visitors, officials and transit providers in the study area and that a logical program for transit in the study area is produced.  

4. Personnel: the Grand County Board of County Commissioners have appointed a Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) for this project.  TAC work sessions and meetings will be scheduled on an ongoing basis, allowing for technical input from a variety of sources and sustained communication with interested parties and the public.  

5. Time to Complete:  Ongoing, final TDP to be distributed by November 1, 2000.  

C.            Task 2 - Data Base Compilation  

1. Objective: to provide a demographic, geographic and socio-economic overview of the study area with projections covering the TDP planning periods.  

2. Approach  

a. Review, coordinate and summarize existing local resources, federal census information, the resources of the state demographers and Colorado Department of Transportation and the office of the Grand County Department of Zoning and Planning to provide current demographic figures,  six-year projections and nineteen-year projections.  Consultant will propose and implement the most cost effective mechanism/source for data gathering additional statistically reliable information.  May require specialized services (e.g. surveys, interviews).  

3. Products: updated, six-year and nineteen-year projection tables and distribution maps showing the following:  

a. general population

b. population over 65 years

c. minority populations

d. persons with no automobiles

e. handicapped population

f. population below the poverty level

g. elementary and secondary school students

h. regional commuter patterns

i. recreational visitors to Grand County, by month and community

j. activity centers including: resort/recreation areas, hospitals, clinics, senior centers, shopping centers and other commercial centers, schools, community colleges, and other transit generators

k. major employment and recreation centers

l. major housing centers  

4. Personnel: the Consultant's staff will be responsible for the data compilation and the Consultant will be responsible for the data analysis and graphics.  

5. Time to Complete:  To be determined.  Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal. 

D.            Task 3 - Transit Demand Update and Needs Estimation  

1. Objective:  to define and estimate the need for transit by the various population segments in, to and from Grand County.  

2. Approach  

a. the Consultant will develop unmet six- and nineteen-year transit demand estimates by  

1) reviewing, refining and updating existing resources,  

2) surveying residents, regional commuters and visitors, and  

3) receiving public input at three (3) public meetings held in various regions of Grand County (see IV.B.2.d. for meeting places)

b. the service supplied as tabulated in Task #5 will be compared with the demand calculated in this task to determine whether unmet needs exist.  

3. Products:  

a. provide a quantitative transit needs chart and text discussion for the various population segments, visitors and the general public (See IV.C.3.a-l above) in the study area; this profile will indicate percent of unmet need of the various geographic portions of Grand County about patterns, times and sites of transit demand (including intercity bus and regional commuter services).  Public transit trip purposes and times of transit demand shall also be addressed.  

b. Generate maps  

1) identifying heavy, intermediate and light resident/regional commuter travel patterns (i) within Grand County and (ii) connected with regions outside Grand County

2) identifying heavy, intermediate and light visitor travel patterns (I) within Grand County and (ii) connected with regions outside Grand County

3) indicating total annual and monthly transit needs by community within Grand County  

4. Personnel: the Consultant will conduct the survey and develop the quantitative needs estimates and qualitative transit demand text discussions and map(s) with the assistance of the Transit Advisory Committee; the staff of the office of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners will arrange for and publicize the three meetings to obtain public comment on transit needs.  

5. Time to Complete: To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal  

E.            Task 4 - Inventory of Transit Providers  

1. Objective: to provide an inventory of public and private transit services presently offered within the study area, including intercity bus services, and to provide information necessary for subsequent tasks including identifying possibilities for enhanced service and/or reduced cost by coordinating existing transit services;  to obtain information on operational statistics, expense and funding sources and organizational structure.  

2. Approach  

a. Information will be collected from existing transit providers within the study area including public and private transit operators, specialized E&H providers, intercity bus operators, taxis, lodge shuttles, nursing home transportation, and others involved in transit and paratransit.  Should include update of previous TDP information. May also require survey of existing transit providers to collect information determining trip origins, destination, purpose and transfer patterns as well as interest in and ability to coordinate transit activities in the areas set forth in IV. F.6.I below.  

b. the format for the inventory will be a table with the following information by geographic region within Grand County for each transit provider. (including financial information for private providers to the extent they are willing to provide it);  

1) name of operation and type of service (fixed route, demand responsive, etc.)

2) service area(s) and primary type of clients served

3) time and level of service

4) hours of operation

5) miles of operation

6) number of passenger trips

7) number of passengers served

8) number of vehicles and routes

9) seating capacity and vehicle equipment

10) vehicle mileages and expected replacement year

11) annual operating, administrative and capital expenditures

12) fare schedule:  adult, elderly, handicapped, student, visitor

13) employees:  admin., drivers, maintenance, other

14) sources of revenue and type of ownership  

3. Products:  

a. a table showing the above information with annual and monthly totals for each provider showing the following data items:  

1. total trips

2. total vehicle miles

3. total vehicle hours of operation

4. total revenues

5. total expenditures

6. total passengers served

7. trips per passenger

8. trips per vehicle mile

9. trips per vehicle hour

10. cost per trip

11. cost per vehicle mile

12. cost per vehicle hour  

b. Tables and maps indicating annual and monthly existing transit provided by community within Grand County.    

4. Personnel  

a. an Existing Transit Provider subcommittee of the Transit Advisory Committee will compile the inventory with the assistance of  the Consultant.  

b. the Consultant will become familiar with the existing transit services in the study area and will review and analyze the inventory and then provide the recommendations for coordination of existing transit services to reduce duplication and costs and to increase efficiencies.  

5. Time to Complete:  To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal  

F.            Task 5 - Evaluation of Existing Service vs. Transit Needs  

1. Objective: to determine the extent to which the need for transit service in the study area is being met and from this evaluation to design more efficient/cost effective alternatives to meet these needs and any unmet needs.  

2. Approach  

a. the existing transit services will be evaluated using the guidelines below; the inventory table(s) and maps constructed for Tasks #3 and #4 can be the source of much of this information.  

b. transit supply and condition - a narrative description of the current status of transportation in the study area, including:  

1) quality and quantity of service based on service hours, service miles and area coverage,  

2) efficiency of service provided based on cost of service.  

3) effectiveness of service based on percent of demand being met as well as how well service meets transit goals and objectives.  

4) an evaluation of local support including the amount of financial support provided by the local governments and taxpayers, private entities, as well as volunteer help and community support  

5) evaluation of management, financing and institutional arrangements can be divided into the following categories:  

a) administrative responsibilities: includes analysis of current sources of transportation funding, eligibility to continue receipt of these funds and procedures required to secure them; grant writing; capital acquisition and financing of equipment and support facilities: service monitoring and reporting: service change decisions; accounting and budgeting; insurance; and public information and marketing.  

b) Operating responsibilities: management and supervision of services; scheduling of routes, vehicles, and drivers; vehicle maintenance; parts purchases; driver training; and safety inspection.  

6) coordination of transit activities: provide an evaluation of the extent of coordination of transit service in the study area; coordination opportunities include:  

a) service information

b) vehicle maintenance

c) purchase of parts and supplies

d) purchase of insurance

e) interagency contracting

f) vehicle sharing

g) driver training and safety

h) accounting and bookkeeping services

i) computer sharing            

3. Products: Narrative working paper identifying deficiencies and duplications in existing service and clarifying service need.  

4. Personnel: the Consultant will prepare the evaluation and recommendations with the aid of the Existing Transit Provider Subcommittee of the Transit Advisory Committee  

5. Time to Complete:  To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal  

G.         Task 6 - Development of Master Transit Plan and Alternatives for Improvement of Service  

1. Objective: to make recommendations for specific development of six-year and general development of nineteen-year transit service programs to meet transit needs in Grand County in the most effective and efficient way within available and/or readily obtainable resources.  

2. Approach  

a. examine data compiled in the evaluation tasks to determine where the existing Grand County transit services do not meet needs or is ineffective or inefficient  

b. use the evaluation tasks to examine alternatives or improvements to bring about a desired level of service and efficiency.  

c. identify recommended institution, expansion and/or improvements of/to transit services in/to/from Grand County, including Intercity Bus and Regional Commuter Service alternatives  

d. analyze funding structure:  who pays vs. who benefits from the current arrangement, generate alternative future funding structures with appropriate cost/benefit analysis  

e. review needs/opportunities/cost/benefit of individual community transit systems, if existing and/or if recommended  

3. Products: (in order of priority and emphasis)  

a. Six-Year Implementation of County-wide Wheeled Transit Service.  Creation of an implementable working paper setting forth, in detail, recommended county-wide wheeled six-year transit service based upon the evaluation tasks above.  Provide text, tables and estimated financial requirements discussing recommended transit service plan including:  

1) service area(s) and primary type of clients served

2) time and level of service

3) hours of operation

4) miles of operation

5) number of passenger trips

6) number of vehicles and routes

7) seating capacity and vehicle equipment, with a summary  environmental assessment and cost/benefit analysis of fuel alternatives (gas, diesel, electric, propane, etc.)

8) annual operating, administrative and capital expenditures

9) fare schedule:  adult, elderly, handicapped, student, visitor

10) number of employees:  admin., drivers, maintenance, other

11) funding/revenue sources (private v. public v. mixed public/private, etc.), analyzing the pros, cons and public acceptability of each

12) organizational structure (authority v. district, etc.)

13) recommend a financial structure and plan to meet all capital and operating funding requirements for the initial six-year period, including a budget schedule (see Task #7).  

Discussion and/or tables should show the resources needed (budgeting and financing method) to institute county-wide  transit service, thus allowing the Transit Advisory Committee to select alternatives that meet transportation goals and objectives, is operationally and institutionally feasible, and implementable within existing citizen and public/private entity support.  (See Task #8)  

b. Discussion of Staged Nineteen-Year All-Modality Transit Recommendations.  Discuss recommended staged nineteen-year development of transit opportunities in Grand County in all modalities.  The stages should include at least:  (1) six-year wheeled transit implementation period including planning & publicity, (2) investigation and maturation of short- and long-term all modality transit service, (3) review/enhancement of short- and long-term transit plans.     

c. Coordination Plan for Existing Transit Service/Providers.  Provide discussion of recommended alternatives detailing coordination possibilities for existing transit services (and, if savings realized, recommended expansion of transit service using existing transit) in the study area;  with tables showing the resources needed (budgeting and financing method) to institute each alternative (and any possible expansion) using the categories of IV.G.3.a.1-13 above and IV.H.2.g. below, thus allowing the Transit Advisory Committee to select an alternative that meets transportation goals and objectives, is operationally and institutionally feasible and implementable within existing resources.  (This product should be able to ëstand alone' whether or not six- and/or nineteen-year county-wide transit recommendations are implemented.)  

d. Planning/Zoning Recommendations To Enhance Implementation of Transit Alternatives.  Suggest particular enhancements, if recommended, to existing county and municipal zoning and land use planning, including by examining the impact of land use decisions on transportation needs and the exploring opportunities for preservation of transportation corridors.  

4. Personnel:  Formulating the recommendations of these tasks will be the responsibility of the Consultant; the selection of recommended alternatives will be the responsibility of the Transit Advisory Committee and/or its voting members either individually or collectively.  

5. Time to Complete:  To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal.

H.            Task 7 & Operation and Management   

1. Objective: to provide a program for implementation of (a) the six-year (2001 & 2007) TDP recommendations, and (b) the existing service coordination recommendations,  and (c) adequate data for redefining each of these alternatives as appropriate.  

2. Approach:   the elements of this task are as follows  

a. map(s) indicating areas to be served and types of transit service needed

b. a monitoring program to track performance measures

c. an organizational/management chart

d. a chart of coordination activities

e. an analysis of privatization activities

f. a six-year financial plan for implementation of a county-wide transit system containing:  

1) operating expenses

2) administrative expenses

3) capital expenses

4) expected revenue and sources of revenue (emphasis should be on less dependence on funds generating by additional taxes)

5) a marketing program  

g. specific recommendations for coordination of Existing Transit Services including :   

1) service formation

2) vehicle maintenance

3) vehicle sharing

4) purchase of parts and supplies

5) purchase of insurance

6) inter-entity contracting

7) driver training and safety  

3. Products: (the products in Task #6,  #7 and #8 overlap to some extent)  

a. a detailed plan which can implement and guide county-wide wheeled transit service operations in/to/from Grand County for the next six years (2001-2007),  

b. a nineteen-year conceptual plan which can form the basis for development of Grand County transit opportunities in all modalities over that time period (2001-2020); and  

c. specific recommendations for coordinating existing transit services to reduce inefficiencies and realize costs savings (and, if savings are thereby realized, recommending service expansions) either while the six-year and/or nineteen year transit plans are implemented and/or if either plan is not implemented.  

4. Personnel: the primary responsibility will rest with the Consultant.  

a) the Consultant will work very closely with the Transit Advisory Committee on this aspect of the study; the TAC members will review and comment on what would work best in their communities/constituencies and for their needs in regard to the management and operation of a transportation program.  

5. Time to complete:  To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal

I.          Task #8 - Funding Source Analysis and Recommendation

1. Objective: to provide a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of various funding options for implementation of the six-year TDP recommendations and nineteen-year TDP conceptualization.  

2. Approach:   

a. Research and evaluate long- and short-term private and public funding options including those available for initial capital expenditures and ongoing operating funds.  

b. Evaluate the feasibility/advisability of bus/busstop advertising and rider fares as funding sources.  

c. By surveying Grand County residents and visitors (see population groups set out in IV.C.3.a-l above), determine which funding options are most implementable and address the concerns of fairness in different communities of Grand County.  

3. Products:  

a. Develop a chart setting out funding options analyzed by:  

(i)  existing public and private dollars available,  

(ii) identifying additional public and private funding available or expected to be available, purposes for which additional funding is/will be available (e.g. less polluting mass transit vehicles), length of time/difficulty to obtain,  major funding pre-requisites, funding cycle deadlines; and  

(iii)  public acceptability of each option.  

b. Discuss recommended future and/or additional funding sources by ranking on a continuum with the most preferred alternative being that which will provide efficient, equitable funding sources for transit services in Grand County that will have greatest likely resident and visitor support in ridership.  

4. Personnel: The Consultant will have primary responsibility for this task, in consultation with the Funding subcommittee of the Transit Advisory Committee.  

5. Time to Complete:  To be determined. Provide suggested timeline in bid/proposal

J.            Task 9 - Completion and Distribution  

1. Objective: to receive input from the Transit Advisory Committee, the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Northwest Regional Transportation Planning Commission (NWRTP), the public and others regarding the acceptability of the document as a transportation development program as described in this RFP.  

2. Approach:  

a. by July 1, 2000 the Consultant will distribute a draft of the TDP to all concerned parties including CDOT.  The Consultant will be responsible for printing forty (40) copies of the draft document; the staff of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners will be responsible for posting at least one (1) copy of the draft document in a public place in each community in Grand County.  

b. The Consultant will receive input from Grand County and the members of the TAC both in writing and at a TAC meeting between July 1-31, 2000.  

c. The Consultant will receive public input regarding the draft document in writing and at three (3) public meetings (see IV.B.2.d. for meeting places) between August 1, 2000 and September 30, 2000.  

3. Products: The draft TDP will be revised and a final TDP printed and distributed by November 1, 2000.  The Consultant will be responsible for printing fifty (50)  copies of the final TDP document.  The camera-ready artwork incorporated in the final TDP will be delivered to the TAC with the final document.  

4. Personnel: the Consultant and the Transit Advisory Committee staff will accomplish this activity with the Consultant completing all necessary revisions.  The staff of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners will arrange for and publicize (a)  the three public meetings, (b)  the Consultant's address at which written comments will be received, and (c) by distributing and/or posting a copy in each Grand County community of the draft and final TDP.  

5. Time to Compete: November 1, 2000.  

J.            Budget  

The project will be awarded on a ënot to exceed' budget basis as established by Grand County, the TAC and its voting members.  Please itemize your proposal carefully by task and approach/product as described in this Request for Proposal.  In addition to covering the financial cost of the TDP, it is contemplated that substantial administrative support in time and other resources needed to develop this TDP will be provided by the members of the Transit Advisory Committee, the office of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners and other public and private citizens and entities of Grand County.  Grant applications will also be submitted, to the extent that monies are or become available, seeking additional funding for the process of preparing this TDP.

This RFP issued on :  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1999

  To see current version of TAC Roster

Return to Main Transit Page

Request for Proposals & Addenda

Return to Main Transit Page