1-RFI 25-054 New Operating Agreement.pdf

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Request For Information

San Francisco Bay Ferry Request For Information #25-054 New Operating Agreement

Section 1 Overview

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (SF Bay Ferry) is soliciting feedback to inform development of an RFP and subsequent contract for operation of its San Francisco Bay Ferry service. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), or other solicitation for purchasing goods or services, nor does it constitute the commencement of any type of formal procurement process. SF Bay Ferry anticipates issuing a Request for Proposals to start the formal procurement process for the operation of its SF Bay Ferry service within the next 4-6 months.

Further, this RFI does not represent a commitment by SF Bay Ferry to issue an RFP in the future.

Therefore, those choosing to respond to this RFI will not, solely through submitting a response, be deemed to be “bidders” or "proposers" in any sense; and no such respondent will have any preference, special designation, advantage or disadvantage whatsoever in any subsequent procurement process. This RFI is not and should not be construed under any circumstances as a pre-requisite or prequalification procedure or step for later participation in any procurement. A failure to respond to this RFI does not prohibit participation in any RFP that SF Bay Ferry may issue.

By responding to this RFI and presenting information to SF Bay Ferry in connection with this RFI, respondent represents and warrants that it has the full right and authority to make offered submissions, information and disclosures, and that such submissions, information and disclosures do not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party. By submitting a response to this RFI, a respondent agrees to hold SF Bay Ferry harmless with regard to any third party claims asserting any rights over any information submitted as part of a response.

By responding to this RFI and presenting information to SF Bay Ferry in connection with this RFI, each respondent agrees that SF Bay Ferry may use any information, ideas, and materials the respondent provides in any manner SF Bay Ferry so desires, including but not limited to stakeholder discussions, the development of specifications and/or a proposed scope of work, and inclusion in any procurement documents SF Bay Ferry may issue.

Participation in this RFI process is voluntary. Respondents to this RFI must cover any and all of costs associated with providing a response to this request. SF Bay Ferry will not provide any reimbursement, stipend, or credit for any efforts related to responding to this request.

All submittals provided in response to this RFI become the property of SF Bay Ferry. Consequently, they become public records and as such may be subject to public review. SF Bay Ferry does not seek submittal of any trade secrets or other proprietary information over which a respondent may wish to exert rights of confidentiality, ownership, or other types of continuing control. All information provided by respondents may be published or otherwise made publicly available by SF Bay Ferry in accordance with applicable laws, including the California Public Records Act. Respondents should not include proprietary or confidential information with the information contained in any response to this RFI.

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1.1 Submission Details

Please submit your response to this RFI via the Bonfire portal before the due date identified in Section 1.2.

If you have any questions about this RFI please submit them, in writing, through the Bonfire portal.

1.2 RFI Timeline

Please review the below RFI timeline. Dates may be modified or amended by SF Bay Ferry.

Activity Date RFI released July 1, 2025 RFI Information Session, Industry Day August 5, 2025 Deadline for Questions August 15, 2025 RFI Responses Due August 26, 2025

1.3 RFI Information Session / Industry Day

An optional Information Session and Industry Day will be held to familiarize prospective respondents with SF Bay Ferry operation Potential proposers, subcontractors, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. During the Information Session WETA staff will summarize the goals of the procurement and the information requested. The information session and open house will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. A final agenda will be posted by July 22, 2025.

Section 2 Background Information

2.1 Goals and Outcome

The goal of the RFI is to alert industry to the upcoming RFP, familiarize industry with the ferry operation, SF Bay Ferry’s vision for the future, and expectations for a partnership with the selected operator. SF Bay Ferry also wishes to collect input on certain topics related to the upcoming RFP, Contract, and Scope of Work.

2.2 Background

WETA was created by the California State Legislature as a planning agency in 2000 and assumed operation of multiple municipal ferry services under the brand San Francisco Bay Ferry in 2012. It currently operates three daily routes, three additional weekday-only routes, a short-run pilot service and three special event routes. In 2024, it carried 2.7 million passengers. Its operations funding is provided largely by local bridge toll and sales tax revenue and fare revenue. Its capital funding is provided largely by local, state, and federal grants and by local bridge tool and sales tax revenue. Its operations budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is approximately $73 million. Its capital budget for FY25-26 is approximately $147 million.

WETA owns its vessels, facilities, equipment, and inventory and holds landing rights agreements at its terminals.

Additional information on SF Bay Ferry and the ferry operations can be found at https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/.

WETA entered into an operating agreement with a local private operator in 2011 and renewed that agreement in 2021. The agreement expires on December 31, 2026. Following the conclusion and evaluation of this RFI, WETA expects to issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for ferry operations and maintenance. A tentative schedule, subject to change at WETA’s discretion, is below.

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RFP Release: Fall 2025 Proposals Due: Spring 2026 Award of Contract: Summer 2026 New Agreement Takes Effect: January 1, 2027

2.3 Scope of Services

SF Bay Ferry intends to contract ferry system operations that will include:

Vessel operations and maintenance – crewing, maintenance and regulatory compliance of 19 subchapter T & K passenger vessels operating on a daily schedule established by WETA on 8 routes in the Bay Area

Shoreside Operations – operation, maintenance and regulatory compliance of two facilities, including warehousing, office space, workshops, maintenance and passenger docks, inventory management, fueling systems and other vessel support systems

Future Services – the integration of new vessels (5 all electric vessels currently on order) and potential new routes

SF Bay Ferry will retain responsibility for:

Determining service routes and setting schedules and fares System financing

Capital projects Landside development Marketing and public relations Government and regulatory relations System planning

Section 3 Information Requested

3.1 Respondents’ Submittals

Responses to the RFI should include the following information:

Cover letter including o Entity name, address, and contact information o Any other pertinent information of company background

Additionally, response or commentary on any or all of the following topics:

Statement of interest noting whether the respondent intends to participate in the RFP and in what capacity (prime, subcontractor, etc.)

Term of agreement – state preferred term of agreement, including base and extension periods.

Please state rationale.

Compensation Structure – state preferred compensation structure for the proposed scope of work.

Information required to propose – state what types of information SF Bay Ferry could provide that would assist you in developing a proposal.

Insurance – indicate any recommendations or concerns in regards to obtaining appropriate levels of coverages commensurate with the intended scope of work.

Contract security – comment on the requirement of a performance bond or other form of security.

Performance incentives – comment on key performance indicators your firm would be prepared to meet within the intended scope of work.

Innovative pathways to providing these services.