RFP for Modular Transit System

NEORide is seeking proposals for a Modular Transit System. The scope of work/specifications is outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The successful Proposer shall meet the terms and conditions set forth in this document and all other attachments.

All interested contractors must register as detailed in the solicitation. All questions should be submitted electronically via the Portal’s Question and Answer (Q&A) tab.

A pre-bid meeting is being held on November 8th at 1 p.m. EST. Attendance is not required. The full RFP will be released on November 11, 2024.

All proposals must be received electronically on or before Friday, January 10, 2025 at 4:00 pm (EST) via the Portal

The right is reserved to accept any proposal/bid or any part or parts thereof or to reject any and all proposals/bids. Acceptance of any proposal/bid is subject to concurrence by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation.

Any contract resulting from these proposals is subject to financial assistance contract between NEORide and the United States Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Agreements are established through free, full, and open competition as described by the laws of the State of Ohio and are available for other NEORide entities anywhere in the United States, subject to each entity’s jurisdictional law and regulation. A Master Service Agreement will be developed with NEORide. Those agencies wishing to utilize the contract will complete a partnership agreement accepting the terms and pricing of the master service agreement. Billing can be done either directly to the NEORide agencies or to NEORide itself depending on the terms of the agreement.

Any contract resulting from these proposals is subject to financial assistance contract between NEORide and the United States Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

NEORide hereby notifies all proposers that, regarding any contract entered into pursuant to this RFP, advertisement or solicitation, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals in response and will not be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or national origin in consideration for an award.

Purchasing Procedures:

Agreements are established through free, full, and open competition as described by the laws of the State of Ohio and are available as a cooperative agreement for other NEORide members anywhere in the United States, subject to each entity’s jurisdictional law and regulation. Purchase orders or participation agreements are issued by participating governmental entities directly to the Vendor or vendor-assigned dealer. A copy of the purchase orders or participation agreement are sent to NEORide offices where they are reviewed by NEORide staff and forwarded to the Vendor. In some instances, the entity may send the purchase orders or equivalent directly to the vendor and report the purchase to NEORide.

Note: It is always the vendor's responsibility to report all sales under the agreement to NEORide.

Background

NEORIDE is a Council of Governments with the goal of supporting coordinated public transit. NEORIDE is a council of governments including membership of the 38 regional transit agencies across 10 states. The 38 agencies that comprise NEORIDE run ahead of the curve in many aspects of public transportation from innovative program development and multi-county transit coordination.

NEORide's procurement is funded through an administration fee of .75% paid to NEORide by the awarded contractors. The fee is based on the actual vendor projects sales. The vendor will pay the fee on the actual invoices and paid sales to the NEORide participant. Fees are not assessed to vendors for shipping costs, required bond costs, or any taxes that may be applicable.

NEORide intends to select up to 2 vendors under the 6 RFP categories of modular systems as follows:

The RFP scope of work (SOW) includes six (6) packages: 1) Connected Transit System; 2) Automated Passenger Counter; 3) Automated Vehicle Announcements; 4) Real-time Operations and Information System; 5) Vehicle Health and Yard Management System; and 6) Transit Analytics and Insights.

Requirements are developed for each of the packages such that those can act as standalone systems and can be independently replaced/upgraded in the future.

The SOW identifies requirements for hardware, software and services for each of the packages.

Participating Agencies are using various products, as listed in Section 2.1.3. Given the varying degree of complexity and scale of products in use for transit functions at Participating Agencies, this RFP takes a modular approach to scope of work (SOW) development, as highlighted in Section 2.1.4.