San Luis Obispo
REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
(RTA)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

CONTRACT NO.: 09-001

CONTRACT NAME: Fixed Route, Runabout ADA Paratransit and Community Shuttle Services

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008 @ 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
1150 Osos St., Suite 206
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

DEADLINE FOR INQUIRIES
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 @ 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

BID DUE DATE:
Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 @ 3:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Sealed Proposals must be received and in the actual possession of the RTA Office on or before the exact Proposal Due Date/Time indicated above. At this time Proposals will be opened and each Proposer's name will be publicly read. Prices are not read and are kept confidential until award. Late Proposals will not be considered.

1. INTRODUCTION
The RTA invites proposals from qualified firms to provide high quality bus, Runabout, and community shuttle services in accordance with the specifications and provisions contained herein. In addition to the core values held by the RTA, the core values that ground the RTA's transit program, this RFP, and any subsequent Contract follow below. Proposers are encouraged to develop their Proposals and supporting business and operational practices with strong and measurable emphasis on:
o Safety - Operating a safe, secure, and reliable transit system;
o Excellence - Providing exceptional transit services that attract and retain passengers and instill pride;
o Service - Developing an ethic, spirit, and culture of public service;
o Community - Engaging the community and the RTA as partners;
o Sustainability - Developing and implementing environmentally sustainable operating and business practices;
o Employee Development - Providing employees the tools for success and professional growth;
o Imagination - Creating innovative and effective new ways to improve all preceding areas

2. BACKGROUND
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
On behalf of and in partnership with the citizens of San Luis Obispo, the Regional Transit Authority is responsible for the planning, management, and operation of all transit services operated under this Contract. The successful Proposer will be directly accountable to the RTA, and by extension, its citizens and passengers.

3. MISSION - GOALS - OBJECTIVES - EXPECTATIONS
The MISSION of the RTA is to provide an inter-connected multi-modal transportation network that promotes the social, environmental, and economic well being of the community. To that end, it is the aim of this Contract to provide an efficient, effective, and sustainable local/regional transit system as a valued and significant component of the transportation network.

A. Goals - The major goals emanating from this commitment include:
I. Safety, enhanced transportation capacity, personal mobility, convenience, and comfort;
II. Increase ridership;
III. Reduce auto dependency, traffic congestion, air pollution, and use of petroleum fuels;
IV. Improve quality of urban and suburban life.

B. Objectives - To achieve these goals, RTA requires transit services of exceptionally high quality that are also safe, secure, convenient, accessible, attractive, sustainable, and reliable. In the service of the mission and goals stated above, the Contractor shall strive to maintain and exceed the following base objectives:
I. Maintain system local and express bus on-time performance at ninety (90) percent or higher.
II. Maintain the rate of total operational complaints per 100,000 passengers at fifteen (15) or lower.
III. Maintain the rate of preventable accidents at .75 per 100,000 vehicle miles or lower.
IV. Maintain vehicle miles between road failures (breakdowns causing service interruption) at or above 13,001.
V. Maintain at least ninety-eight (98) percent of monthly preventive maintenance inspections (PMI) within a range of 3,000 vehicle miles relative to previous PMI.
VI. Operate and maintain the fare collection system so as to ensure actual revenue matches system reported revenue; fareboxes are in proper working conditions; and cashbox receivers are in proper working condition.

C. Service Expectations:
I. The RTA and the area's residents provide funding for and are entitled to safe, professional, courteous, timely, clean and reliable transportation services. The RTA expects that the Contractor will provide the necessary expertise and resources to meet those expectations.
II. All Contractor employees shall respond to passenger inquiries and requests in a professional, positive and, collaborative manner. All passenger inquiries constitute an opportunity to partner with citizens and to improve the service that they fund.
III. The Contractor and its employees will provide transit services in such a manner as to instill pride on the part of the RTA.
IV. The Contractor will develop a balanced approach to transit operations: one that hold individuals accountable but also recognizes the formative roles played by formal and informal organizational cultures.

4. TERM OF CONTRACT
Contract shall be for a total of fifty (50) months, with an initial twenty-six (26) month period commencing on May 1, 2009, and expiring on June 30, 2011. The RTA may, at its option, and after agreement between Contractor and the RTA Board, extend the period of this contract up to two (2) additional years, in increments to be determined by the RTA.

To download a PDF copy of the complete RFP, click here.

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