1-Solicitation - ADA Paratransit Operations and Maintenance.pdf

Pg. 1 of 169

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority

RFP No. 2027-PT-01

ADA PARATRANSIT OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

& RELATED SERVICES

Release Date: Friday, September 4, 2026

New Contract EffecƟve Date: July 1, 2027

RFP No. 2027-PT-01 ii

Table of Contents

PART 1 — Procurement Process

1. IntroducƟon and Background

1.1 Purpose of this RFP

2. Procurement Timeline and Process

2.1 Vendor RegistraƟon

2.2 Pre-Proposal Conference

2.3 QuesƟons, Requests for ClarificaƟon & RFP Changes

2.4 Proposer’s ExaminaƟon of Project ObjecƟves & Requirements

3. Required proposal elements

3.1 Technical Proposals

3.1.1 QualificaƟons, Experience & Capacity of Firm and Key Personnel to Deliver Services 5

3.1.1.1 Joint Offers

3.1.2 The Proposing Firm’s Understanding & Approach to Providing all Service Included in the Scope of Services

3.1.2.1 Supplemental Services & Technology Enhancements

3.1.2.2 Timing of New Technologies & Processes

3.2 Cost Proposals

3.3 Required Forms & Disclosures

4. EvaluaƟon and Award

4.1 EvaluaƟon Criteria

4.2 EvaluaƟon Panel & Interviews

4.3 NegoƟaƟon, BAFO Process & Award of Contract

4.4 Other Requirements

4.4.1 Levine Act

4.4.2 Conflict of Interest

4.4.3 ConfidenƟality of Proposals

5. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program Requirements iii

6. Labor ProtecƟons

6.1 California Labor Code 1070 et seq

6.2 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act

7. Agreements for provision of services, vehicle lease, & faciliƟes use

PART 2 — Scope of Services

1. Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

2. Included programs & services

2.1 Services to be Provided

2.1.1 County ConnecƟon LINK

2.1.2 Wheels Dial-A-Ride

2.1.3 One-Seat Ride

2.1.4 Non-Emergency Medical TransportaƟon

2.1.5 Alamo Creek ShuƩle

2.1.6 Emergency MiƟgaƟon/Mutual Aid Service

2.1.7 Special TransportaƟon Services

2.1.8 Call Center & AdministraƟve Support

2.2 OperaƟng Policies & Program Rules

2.2.1 Origin to DesƟnaƟon Service

2.2.2 On-Time Pickup & Drop-Off “Windows”

2.2.3 Fares

2.2.4 Service Changes

2.2.5 Program Eligibility

2.2.6 AdverƟsing & CommunicaƟons

3. Contractor’s role & responsibiliƟes

3.1 Provision of Included Programs & Services

3.2 Personnel Management

3.3 Use of Subcontractors

3.3.1 Subcontractor Vehicle Standards

3.4 Performance Standards

iv

3.4.1 OperaƟng Standards for Included Paratransit Services

3.4.1.1 Required Service Criteria

3.4.1.2 On-Time Performance Standard

3.4.1.3 ProducƟvity Standards

3.4.1.4 On-Board Time Standard

3.4.2 Customer Service, Call Center & Complaint Handling Standards

3.4.2.1 Call Center Accessibility Standards

3.4.2.2 ReservaƟons & “Where’s My Ride?” Service

3.4.2.3 Use of Recorded Phone Lines

3.4.2.4 Call Center Performance Standards

3.4.2.5 Complaint Handling Procedures

3.4.3 Other Performance Standards

3.4.3.1 Mechanical Reliability

3.4.3.2 Driving Safety

3.4.3.3 NEMT Performance Standards

3.4.3.4 Alamo Creek ShuƩle Performance Standards

3.4.3.5 Emergency Service Standards

3.4.3.6 Special TransportaƟon Service Standards

3.5 Safety Program

3.5.1 Accident & Incident CommunicaƟons

3.5.2 Drug & Alcohol Program

3.5.3 Accident Grading

3.5.4 ParƟcipaƟon in PTASP

3.6 CommunicaƟons & MarkeƟng Support

3.7 Fare CollecƟon & Handling

3.7.1 Pre-Paid Fare Accounts

3.7.2 Clipper 2.0

3.8 Emergency OperaƟons

3.9 Insurance Requirements

v

3.9.1 Workers’ CompensaƟon

3.9.2 Employer’s Liability

3.9.3 Commercial General Liability

3.9.4 Business Automobile Liability Insurance

3.9.5 Sexual Abuse or MolestaƟon (“Sam”) Insurance

3.9.6 Crime Insurance (Employee TheŌ)

3.10 Data Privacy & Security

4. Staffing requirements

4.1 Pre-employment Screening

4.2 Employment Status of Contractor & Subcontractor Personnel

4.3 County ConnecƟon & LAVTA rights

4.4 Uniform Requirements & Dress Code

4.5 Key Management PosiƟons

4.5.1 General Manager

4.5.2 OperaƟons Manager or Assistant General Manager

4.5.3 Safety & Training Manager

4.5.4 Maintenance Manager

4.5.5 Key Management Vacancies

4.6 Required and Recommended Supervisory PosiƟons

4.6.1 Road Supervisors

4.6.2 Dispatch/Scheduling Supervisor

4.6.3 ReservaƟons/Contact Center Supervisor

4.7 EssenƟal Non-management Staff

4.7.1 Drivers

4.7.1.1 Driver Training

4.7.1.2 Driver Uniforms

4.7.2 ReservaƟons, Scheduling & Dispatch Staff

4.7.3 Mechanics

5. County ConnecƟon & LAVTA Provided vehicles, faciliƟes, equipment & technology vi

5.1 Provided Vehicles

5.2 Provided FaciliƟes & Equipment

5.3 Provided Technology

5.3.1 Proposals for Supplemental Technologies

6. Mechanical maintenance program

6.1 General Vehicle Standards

6.1.1 Required Onboard Equipment

6.1.2 Daily Vehicle InspecƟons

6.1.3 PrevenƟve Maintenance

6.1.4 Tires

6.1.5 Vehicle Cleaning & Washing

6.1.6 Vehicle Standards Specific to Subcontractors

6.2 Maintenance of County ConnecƟon & LAVTA Provided Vehicles

6.2.1 Contractor Acceptance of Provided Vehicles

6.2.2 Daily InspecƟon of Provided Vehicles

6.2.3 PrevenƟve Maintenance of Provided Vehicles

6.2.4 Parts, Fluids & Consumables for Provided Vehicles

6.2.4.1 Major System Components

6.2.4.2 Tires for Provided Vehicles

6.2.5 In-Service Mechanical Failures

6.2.6 Warranty Repairs

6.2.7 Cleaning & Washing of Provided Vehicles

6.2.8 Fueling of Provided Vehicles

6.2.9 Return of Provided Vehicles

6.3 Maintenance of County ConnecƟon & LAVTA Provided Tools & Shop Equipment... 61

6.4 Environmental Compliance

7. ReporƟng requirements

7.1 Accident & Incident NoƟficaƟons & ReporƟng

7.2 Invoices

vii

7.3 General ReporƟng Standards

7.3.1 Daily Reports

7.3.2 Weekly Reports

7.3.3 Monthly Reports

7.3.4 Quarterly & Semi-Annual Reports

7.3.5 Annual Reports

7.3.6 Ad-Hoc Reports & Requests for InformaƟon

7.4 Maintenance Specific Reports

7.5 Public Records & Records RetenƟon

8. Service TransiƟon plans

8.1 Start-Up Plan

8.2 Hand-Off Plan

9. Program & contract oversight

9.1 IncenƟves & DisincenƟves

9.2 Liquidated Damages

9.3 CorrecƟve AcƟon Plan & Cure NoƟce

PART 3 — AƩachments and Exhibits

EXHIBIT A — Form of Proposal

EXHIBIT B — Cost Proposal Form

EXHIBIT C — IdenƟficaƟon of Prime Contractor and Subcontractors/Suppliers

EXHIBIT D — Workforce RetenƟon DeclaraƟon

EXHIBIT E — CerƟficaƟon Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion

EXHIBIT F — Lobbying CerƟficaƟon for Contracts, Grants, Loans and CooperaƟve Agreements

EXHIBIT G — CerƟficaƟon for Federal Tax Liability and Recent Felony ConvicƟons

ATTACHMENT A — County ConnecƟon LINK Service Area Policy

ATTACHMENT B — LAVTA Service Area Map

ATTACHMENT C — Alamo Creek ShuƩle Service Schedule

ATTACHMENT D — Data Security & Records Requirements viii

ATTACHMENT E — Provided Vehicle List

ATTACHMENT F — Provided Tools & Shop Equipment List

ATTACHMENT G — CollecƟve Bargaining Agreement — ATU Local 1605

ATTACHMENT H — SecƟon 13(c) Labor ProtecƟons Agreement

ATTACHMENT I — Sample Agreement for Professional Services for ADA Paratransit and Related Services

ATTACHMENT J — Vehicle Lease Agreement

ATTACHMENT K — FaciliƟes Use Agreement

ATTACHMENT L — Acknowledgement of IndemnificaƟon & Insurance Requirements

Pg. 1 of 169

PART 1 — PROCUREMENT PROCESS

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County ConnecƟon) was formed in 1980 under the provisions of the California Joint Exercise of Powers Act, Government Code SecƟons 6500, et seq.

to provide coordinated transportaƟon services within central Contra Costa County. County ConnecƟon is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors represenƟng the following member jurisdicƟons: the CiƟes of Clayton, Concord, LafayeƩe, MarƟnez, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, the Towns of Moraga and Danville, and unincorporated areas of central Contra Costa County. County ConnecƟon operates Americans with DisabiliƟes Act (ADA) paratransit service and related programs under the brand name County ConnecƟon LINK.

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was formed in May of 1985 under the provisions of the California Joint Exercise of Powers Act, Government Code SecƟons 6500, et seq., and represents the CiƟes of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, as well as unincorporated porƟons of the eastern Alameda County. LAVTA operates ADA paratransit service under the brand name Wheels Dial A Ride.

County ConnecƟon has provided the Wheels Dial A Ride service on behalf of LAVTA since 2019 under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between County ConnecƟon and LAVTA. The current combined County ConnecƟon LINK/Wheels Dial A Ride contract expires June 30, 2027.

1.1 Purpose of this RFP

County ConnecƟon and LAVTA (AUTHORITIES) are seeking proposals from well-qualified firms that will provide safe, efficient, effecƟve, and innovaƟve paratransit operaƟons, including thoughƞul analyses and use of data and operaƟng funcƟonaliƟes. We expect the successful Proposer to regularly make recommendaƟons on how to improve the provision of services, both overall and in discrete increments, as well as explore potenƟal opportuniƟes to integrate with the larger array of services provided by County ConnecƟon and LAVTA.

It is our intent with this procurement to meet or accomplish the following objecƟves to improve the current service:

Develop affordable and user-friendly technologies Increase shared ride efficiencies Expand availability of paratransit to more residents in the combined service area Offer flexible cancellaƟons and rebooking opportuniƟes Offer self-booking and trip management applicaƟons Improve/eliminate regional transfer trip wait Ɵmes

RFP No. 2027-PT-01 – Part 1 – Procurement Process

Pg. 2 of 169

Reduce deadhead and other unproducƟve Ɵme and mileage Develop partnerships with other transportaƟon modes and sponsors

County ConnecƟon and LAVTA seek proposals that demonstrate a thorough understanding of cost analysis regarding paratransit efficiency and effecƟveness. We are also looking for Proposers that can both recommend and demonstrate the capability to successfully design and implement innovaƟve approaches to, and techniques for providing, paratransit and accessible transit services.

At the conclusion of this procurement process, County ConnecƟon intends to contract with a single firm that will be responsible for providing all services described in Part 2 – Scope of Services. Any services to be provided by subcontractor must be approved by County ConnecƟon and LAVTA.

2. PROCUREMENT TIMELINE AND PROCESS

The schedule of key dates for this procurement will be as follows:

Procurement Phase Date Release of RFP Friday, September 4, 2026 Vendor RegistraƟon Deadline Monday, September 21, 2026 Pre-Proposal Conference (Virtual) Thursday, September 24, 2026 Round 1 QuesƟons & ClarificaƟon Requests Due Friday, October 2, 2026 Responses to Round 1 QuesƟons Posted Friday, October 9, 2026 Round 2 QuesƟons & ClarificaƟon Requests Due Friday, October 16, 2026 Responses to Round 2 QuesƟons Posted Friday, October 23, 2026 Proposals Due Friday, October 30, 2026 Proposal EvaluaƟon Conferences Week of November 16, 2026 BAFOs Due (If Needed) Wednesday, January 13, 2027 NoƟce of Intent to Award Wednesday, January 20, 2027 Award of Contract February 22, 2027 Start of Services July 1, 2027

2.1 Vendor RegistraƟon

Interested parƟes must register as a prospecƟve vendor by compleƟng the vendor registraƟon process at hƩps://Ɵnyurl.com/CCCTA-LAVTA-RFP-FY27 no later than 5:00 PM, Monday, September 21, 2026. ProspecƟve vendors may contact LAVTA’s Manager of AdministraƟve Services, Salomon Abdel-Aziz at procurements@lavta.org for assistance with registraƟon.

Pg. 3 of 169

2.2 Pre-Proposal Conference

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at 9:00 AM on Thursday, September 24, 2026, by videoconference, for the purpose of receiving quesƟons and comments pertaining to this RFP. The Pre-Proposal Conference can be accessed at hƩps://Ɵnyurl.com/RFP-2027-PT-01- Pre-Proposal.

Tours of the County ConnecƟon and LAVTA-provided paratransit faciliƟes may be requested on an appointment basis. The tours will not be a venue for discussing any other aspects of this RFP.

2.3 QuesƟons, Requests for ClarificaƟon & RFP Changes

Should a Proposer desire clarifications regarding this RFP, the Proposer shall submit questions via the Bonfire portal at hƩps://Ɵnyurl.com/CCCTA-LAVTA-RFP-FY27.

The procurement process will include two rounds of wriƩen quesƟons and responses:

Round 1: IniƟal quesƟons and requests for clarificaƟon, including quesƟons that could not be answered at the pre-proposal conference, must be submiƩed through Bonfire no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026. Responses to Round 1 quesƟons will be posted on Bonfire by Friday, October 9, 2026.

Round 2: Follow-up quesƟons related to the RFP or the responses provided in Round 1 must be submiƩed through Bonfire no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Responses to Round 2 quesƟons will be posted on Bonfire by Friday, October 23, 2026.

All quesƟons and requests for clarificaƟon must be submiƩed through the Bonfire portal.

Responses will be posted on Bonfire and may be incorporated into the solicitaƟon through an addendum, as appropriate.

Should it be found that issues in any quesƟons are not clearly and fully set forth in the RFP; The AuthoriƟes will issue a wriƩen addendum clarifying the maƩer, which will be posted on Bonfire.

Any clarificaƟon and/or modificaƟon of these specificaƟons or RFP requirements must be made in wriƟng by addendum. Any oral interpretaƟons or clarificaƟons offered by County ConnecƟon or LAVTA staff will not be binding on County ConnecƟon or LAVTA.

Upon issuance, addenda shall be incorporated into the RFP and agreement documents, and shall prevail over inconsistent provisions of earlier issued documentaƟon. All addenda must be acknowledged on the Form of Proposal, Exhibit A, as submiƩed by each Proposer.

Pg. 4 of 169

Failure to acknowledge any addenda may cause the proposal to be considered non-responsive and rejected.

2.4 Proposer’s ExaminaƟon of Project ObjecƟves & Requirements

By submiƫng a proposal, the Proposer represents that it has thoroughly examined and understood the work required under this RFP, and that it can perform all work, both as described and potenƟally for new approaches, to achieve County ConnecƟon’s objecƟves.

2.5 CommunicaƟon & Contact During Procurement Process

Once this RFP is issued, ANY AND ALL communicaƟon between all prospecƟve Proposers and County ConnecƟon must take place between a Proposer and County ConnecƟon as indicated within this RFP.

Under no circumstances is it allowable for a prospecƟve Proposer or their representaƟve to contact a member of the County ConnecƟon or LAVTA Board of Directors or anyone else represenƟng County ConnecƟon or LAVTA other than the County ConnecƟon staff indicated in the RFP to discuss this RFP, or anything related to it. This shall be in effect unƟl the successful Proposer and County ConnecƟon execute a contract. Nothing herein prevents a Proposer from speaking at a public Board meeƟng during the Ɵme reserved for public comment. Any violaƟon of this requirement could be the basis for disqualificaƟon of a Proposer.

2.6 Withdrawal of Proposal

Submission of a proposal shall consƟtute a firm offer to County ConnecƟon, which shall be valid for one hundred twenty (120) days from the deadline for receipt of proposals. A Proposer may withdraw its proposal any Ɵme before the date and Ɵme when proposals are due, without prejudice, by submiƫng a wriƩen request for its withdrawal via the Bonfire portal at hƩps://Ɵnyurl.com/CCCTA-LAVTA-RFP-FY27.

2.7 Protest Procedures

County ConnecƟon maintains wriƩen procedures that must be followed for all protests.

Protests regarding this RFP based upon overly restricƟve specificaƟons or alleged improprieƟes in the RFP procedures shall be submiƩed in wriƟng to Mr. William Churchill, General Manager of County ConnecƟon, at least five (5) calendar days prior to the deadline for submission of proposals. The protest must clearly specify in wriƟng the grounds and evidence on which the protest is based.

Protests based upon the recommendaƟon for award of contract shall be submiƩed in wriƟng to the General Manager at least forty-eight (48) hours from receipt of the noƟce from County ConnecƟon advising of the staff’s recommendaƟon for award of contract.

Pg. 5 of 169

Any protest must clearly specify in wriƟng the grounds and evidence on which the protest is based.

Failure to comply with the rules set forth herein may result in rejecƟon of the protest.

3. REQUIRED PROPOSAL ELEMENTS

County ConnecƟon and LAVTA shall not be liable for any pre-contractual expenses incurred by Proposer in the preparaƟon of its proposal. Proposer shall not include any such expenses as part of its proposal. Pre-contractual expenses are defined as expenses incurred by the Proposer in:

Preparing its proposal in response to this RFP

Submiƫng the proposal to County ConnecƟon

NegoƟaƟng with County ConnecƟon regarding any maƩer related to the Proposer’s proposal

Any other expenses incurred by Proposer prior to date of award of a contract

Proposals must address each item below. Proposals must be in sufficient detail to permit evaluaƟon and demonstrate the Proposer's ability to meet the requirements. Proposals that do not include all the required informaƟon and fully completed proposal forms may be rejected as non-responsive. Each proposal must include:

(1) A transmiƩal leƩer signed by an authorized representaƟve.

(2) A technical proposal fully responsive to SecƟon 3.1 below and Part 2, Scope of Services.

(3) A cost proposal (Exhibit B).

(4) Exhibits A-G included in Part 3.

3.1 Technical Proposals

Technical Proposals shall not exceed 50 pages in length, or 150 pages including aƩachments. Technical proposals should include or address the following:

3.1.1 QualificaƟons, Experience & Capacity of Firm and Key Personnel to Deliver Services

A summary statement outlining the organizaƟon’s history and experience in providing ADA paratransit and related accessible services on an advance-reservaƟon system.

Each Proposer must list all paratransit faciliƟes it currently operates and provide a brief descripƟon of services performed. County ConnecƟon may make pre-selecƟon inspecƟons of said faciliƟes as prearranged with the Proposer.

Pg. 6 of 169

Each Proposer shall provide informaƟon sufficient for County ConnecƟon to determine the Proposer’s financial stability and responsibility. Proposers must submit their most recent audited financial statements and balance sheets for the past two years, as well as disclose any informaƟon regarding pending financial issues, including any pending liƟgaƟon against the organizaƟon that may impact its financial capacity.

Each Proposer must include a list of no more than five (5) references from organizaƟons currently receiving similar services from the Proposer or that have received services in the past three (3) years.

Provide a summary of transportaƟon experience that describes the Proposer’s ability to perform all work described in Part 2.

3.1.1.1 Joint Offers

Where two or more firms desire to submit a single proposal in response to this RFP, they should do so on a prime contractor-subcontractor basis rather than as a joint venture. County ConnecƟon intends to contract with a single firm and not with mulƟple firms doing business as a joint venture.

3.1.2 The Proposing Firm’s Understanding & Approach to Providing all Service Included in the Scope of Services

The Proposer should describe their plan to provide the services described in Part 2, Scope of Services, and parƟcularly include:

Overall approach to scope of work.

OperaƟons and maintenance training and safety/risk management programs

(fully documented).

OrganizaƟons operaƟng in California must submit the latest copy of California

Highway Patrol Safety Compliance Report (CHP343) for each facility currently operated in California. This report must indicate a saƟsfactory raƟng for each facility.

Maintenance programs (including PrevenƟve Maintenance InspecƟon (PMI), Daily Vehicle InspecƟon (DVI) reports and policies (fully documented)).

Proven capability and proficiency (fully documented) with Trapeze® PASS Version 21 scheduling system, or equivalent.

Sample copies, both blank and filled out samples, of driver’s trip sheets and logs for a one-week period.

Fare revenue/collecƟon control and security procedures.

ImplementaƟon Plan. A detailed plan showing how all start-up tasks (e.g., personnel recruitment/hiring, iniƟal training, facility preparaƟon) will be completed prior to system start-up. Significant milestones and target dates should be idenƟfied.

Pg. 7 of 169

ConfirmaƟon of compliance with drug and alcohol tesƟng requirements.

A proposed organizaƟonal chart for the project showing staffing levels by funcƟon for all services to be provided under the CONTRACT, idenƟfying which posiƟons are dedicated to this CONTRACT and which are shared with or supported by the Proposer’s corporate or regional staff.

IdenƟficaƟon of, and résumés for, each of the Key Management PosiƟons described in Part 2, including the proposed Project Manager. Proposers shall confirm that each named individual is commiƩed to this project, and no Key Management PosiƟon shall be subsƟtuted aŌer award without the prior wriƩen approval of County ConnecƟon.

Start-up and hand-off transiƟon plans

3.1.2.1 Supplemental Services & Technology Enhancements

Each Proposer shall provide a descripƟon of what, if any, supplemental services or technological resources and support can be provided by the Proposer to improve and enhance service coverage, efficiency, or effecƟveness, included within the Proposer’s proposed price, at no addiƟonal cost to County ConnecƟon or LAVTA.

This includes any innovaƟve technology soluƟons offered to supplement County ConnecƟon and LAVTA-provided technologies. The descripƟon shall include how service coverage, efficiency, and/or effecƟveness will be improved by the uƟlizaƟon of the supplemental service and/or technological support. See also PART 2 — 5.3.1 Proposals for Supplemental Technologies.

3.1.2.2 Timing of New Technologies & Processes

Proposers may offer to employ new technologies, methods, or processes to improve and enhance the exisƟng service model. If any such changes require development, tesƟng, or substanƟve review and approval prior to implemenƟng (i.e., they will not be feasible during the CONTRACTOR start- up/transiƟon period), County ConnecƟon expects that the two parƟes will work collaboraƟvely to schedule, review, approve, and implement the changes in an expediƟous, yet measured manner.

3.2 Cost Proposals

For the purposes of cost proposal development, Proposers should review carefully the detailed requirements described in Part 2, Scope of Services.

Pricing shall be provided in three components for each year of the base contract period.

(Please refer to the pricing sheets found in Part 3, AƩachment and Exhibits). The three components, covering all services to be provided as defined in this RFP, are:

Monthly fee for fixed costs

Pg. 8 of 169

Hourly rate for variable costs for each of the programs included in the

CONTRACT

Direct reimbursement for passthrough costs

For any opƟon terms exercised by County ConnecƟon, County ConnecƟon will provide wriƩen noƟce to the CONTRACTOR 90 days prior to the expiraƟon of the then-current base term. The CONTRACTOR may request (with saƟsfactory documentaƟon), and County ConnecƟon may approve, adjustments to contract rates for any years beyond the base period. Such requests must be made at least 90 days prior to the commencement of any opƟon year and must be supported with evidence of increased CONTRACTOR costs that, in County ConnecƟon's discreƟon, jusƟfies CONTRACTOR’S requested increase.

Adjustments in contract rates shall be mutually agreed upon.

Fuel expenses for County ConnecƟon and LAVTA provided vehicles should be submiƩed as a pass-through cost. CONTRACTOR shall submit all original fuel invoices. More detail on potenƟal alternaƟves to this arrangement in future periods of the contract is included in the Scope of Work, under Contractor ResponsibiliƟes, Maintenance.

3.3 Required Forms & Disclosures

See Part 3, Exhibits A-G

Pg. 9 of 169

4. EVALUATION AND AWARD

This is a best value procurement, meaning that County ConnecƟon intends to award a Contract to the most qualified, responsible firm submiƫng the most technically responsive proposal, and technical merit will outweigh price compeƟƟveness per the evaluaƟon criteria shown below.

Technical merit includes qualificaƟons of the firm and named key personnel; understanding and approach to the Scope of Services, including innovaƟve operaƟonal and technology soluƟons to provide the best customer experience; and methodologies that improve efficiency and contribute to the cost-effecƟveness of the service.

County ConnecƟon may reject any proposal in which the qualificaƟons or prices are not deemed to be within an acceptable or compeƟƟve range. County ConnecƟon may seek clarificaƟons from any or all Proposers regarding their proposals or may request that Proposers submit modified proposals or best and final offers (BAFO). County ConnecƟon may award a contract without the need for a BAFO, so all Proposers should submit their best proposal.

4.1 EvaluaƟon Criteria

In determining the number of points a proposal will receive in each category, County ConnecƟon will consider the proposal material submiƩed, references, oral interviews (if applicable), and any other relevant informaƟon about a given Proposer. The following criteria will be used in the evaluaƟon of the proposals:

EvaluaƟon Criteria Points Understanding & approach to scope of services

QualificaƟons, experience & capacity of firm and key personnel to deliver services

Reasonableness of cost

RetenƟon of current employees for at least 90 days (10% preference under lab. Code, § 1072)

Total Possible 100

4.2 EvaluaƟon Panel & Interviews

County ConnecƟon will screen proposals to ensure proposer(s)' responsibility and responsiveness to the RFP requirements. A proposal will be considered responsive only if it complies in all material respects to the RFP's requirements. County ConnecƟon may reject as non-responsive any proposal that does not include the required documents referenced herein. However, County ConnecƟon reserves the right to request addiƟonal informaƟon and clarificaƟons during the evaluaƟon and selecƟon process from any or all proposers regarding their proposals.

Pg. 10 of 169

A review panel will screen, evaluate, and rank proposals in accordance with the evaluaƟon criteria set forth above. Following the iniƟal screening and review of wriƩen proposals, one or more firms may be invited to parƟcipate in a final selecƟon process, which may include parƟcipaƟon in an oral interview and/or the submission of addiƟonal informaƟon.

Not all proposers will be guaranteed an interview and County ConnecƟon reserves the right to award the contract without conducƟng interviews.

The EvaluaƟon Panel's composite scores for all steps of the evaluaƟon process will comprise the official record for the proposal evaluaƟon process; individual evaluaƟon records may not be retained and will not be available for public inspecƟon at any point during or aŌer the evaluaƟon process. By submiƫng a proposal, proposers agree to be bound by these terms and will not later challenge said terms.

4.3 NegoƟaƟon, BAFO Process & Award of Contract

Upon recommendaƟon by the EvaluaƟon Panel, County ConnecƟon and LAVTA may accept the highest-ranked proposal without negoƟaƟons or negoƟate the terms and condiƟons of the Contract and/or cost proposal with the highest-ranked firm.

County ConnecƟon reserves the right to negoƟate with any individual(s) or qualified firm(s), to request revised proposals, to visit the proposer(s)' site(s), to interview or not, or to request BAFOs if it is in the best interest of County ConnecƟon to do so. Upon compleƟon of this step in the selecƟon process, the EvaluaƟon Panel will re-rank the firms remaining in the compeƟƟve range, in accordance with the evaluaƟon criteria set forth above.

County ConnecƟon also reserves the right to further reduce the compeƟƟve range at any Ɵme during this step of the evaluaƟon and selecƟon process and County ConnecƟon may hold simultaneous discussions with those proposers that remain in the compeƟƟve range.

Proposers who are no longer in the compeƟƟve range, and will therefore not conƟnue to the final step of the selecƟon and evaluaƟon process, will be noƟfied as soon as it is pracƟcable.

This RFP does not commit County ConnecƟon to award a contract. County ConnecƟon reserves the right, in its sole discreƟon, to: (1) reject any proposal; (2) accept the proposal it considers most favorable to County ConnecƟon’s interest; (3) waive minor irregulariƟes;

(4) reject all proposals and seek new proposals when such procedure is reasonable and in the best interest of County ConnecƟon; (5) make mulƟple or subsequent awards prior to or during the performance period as circumstances may dictate to meet service requirements; and (6) shiŌ trip volume and other scope of work tasks between providers in the event that the selected Contractor is unable to meet service requirements.

Pg. 11 of 169

4.4 Other Requirements

4.4.1 Levine Act

The Levine Act (Government Code 84308) is part of the California PoliƟcal Reform Act of 1974. The Levine Act prohibits any County ConnecƟon or LAVTA Board Member from parƟcipaƟng in any acƟon related to a contract, if the Board Member receives any poliƟcal contribuƟons totaling more than $500 from a party or parƟcipant to a contract proceeding, or from their agents, within twelve (12) months of the proceeding. The Levine Act also requires a member of the Board who has received such a contribuƟon to disclose the contribuƟon on the record of the proceeding. In addiƟon, Board Members are prohibited from accepƟng, soliciƟng, or direcƟng a campaign contribuƟon of more than $500 from a party or parƟcipant to the proceeding, or from their agents, for 12 months following the date a final decision concerning the contract has been made.

Proposers must disclose in their proposals any contribuƟon of more than $500 that they have made to a County ConnecƟon or LAVTA Board Member within the twelve-month (12) period preceding submission of their proposals. This duty applies to the proposer's company, any member of their team, any agents of the proposer or other team members and to the major shareholders of any closed corporaƟon that is part of their team.

4.4.2 Conflict of Interest

By submiƫng a proposal, the Proposer represents and warrants that no director, officer, or employee of County ConnecƟon or LAVTA is in any manner interested directly or indirectly in the Proposal or in the Contract which may be made under it or in any expected profits to arise therefrom, as set forth in ArƟcle 4, Division 4, Title I (commencing with Sec. 1090) of the Government Code of the State of California.

The Proposer warrants and represents that it presently has no interest and agrees that it will not acquire any interest which would present a conflict of interest under California Government Code SecƟons 1090 et seq. or SecƟons 87100 et seq. during the performance of services under the Contract. The Proposer further covenants that it will not knowingly employ any person having such an interest in the performance of the Contract. ViolaƟon of this provision may result in the Contract being deemed void and unenforceable.

Pg. 12 of 169

4.4.3 ConfidenƟality of Proposals

All responses to this RFP become property of County ConnecƟon and will be kept confidenƟal unƟl a recommendaƟon for award of a contract has been announced.

ThereaŌer, submiƩals are subject to public inspecƟon and disclosure under the California Public Records Act (PRA).

The PRA (California Government Code SecƟons 7920.000 et seq.) mandates public access to government records. Therefore, unless the informaƟon is exempt from disclosure by law, the content of any proposal, request for explanaƟon, excepƟon or subsƟtuƟon, response to these specificaƟons, protest or any other wriƩen communicaƟon between County ConnecƟon and the Proposer shall be available to the public.

If the Proposer believes any communicaƟon contains trade secrets or other proprietary informaƟon that the Proposer believes would cause substanƟal injury to the Proposer's compeƟƟve posiƟon if disclosed, the Proposer shall request that County ConnecƟon withhold from disclosure the proprietary informaƟon by marking each page containing such proprietary informaƟon as confidenƟal. By submiƫng a proposal with porƟons marked “confidenƟal,” a Proposer represents it has determined such porƟons qualify for exempƟon from disclosure under the PRA. The Proposer may not designate its enƟre proposal as confidenƟal.

AddiƟonally, the Proposer may not designate its cost proposal or any required proposal forms or cerƟficaƟons as confidenƟal.

By submiƫng a proposal the Proposer agrees that, if Proposer requests that County ConnecƟon withhold from disclosure informaƟon idenƟfied as confidenƟal, and County ConnecƟon complies with the Proposer's request, the Proposer shall assume all responsibility for any challenges resulƟng from the non-disclosure, indemnify and hold harmless County ConnecƟon from and against all damages (including but not limited to aƩorney's fees that may be awarded to the party requesƟng the Proposer informaƟon), and pay any and all costs and expenses related to the withholding Proposer informaƟon.

The Proposer also agrees that it shall not make a claim, sue, or maintain any legal acƟon against County ConnecƟon or its directors, officers, employees, or agents in connecƟon with the withholding from disclosure of Proposer informaƟon.

If Proposer does not request County ConnecƟon to withhold from disclosure informaƟon idenƟfied as confidenƟal, County ConnecƟon shall have no obligaƟon to withhold the informaƟon from disclosure and may release the informaƟon sought without any liability to County ConnecƟon.

Pg. 13 of 169

5. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program Requirements

County ConnecƟon, a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit AdministraƟon (FTA) is commiƩed to and has adopted a DBE Program in accordance with federal RegulaƟons 49 CFR Part 26 issued by the U.S. Department of TransportaƟon (DOT).

On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of TransportaƟon (DOT) issued an Interim Final Rule amending Title 49, Code of Federal RegulaƟons, Part 26, ParƟcipaƟon by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in DOT Financial Assistance Programs (Interim Final Rule). As a result of the Interim Final Rule, County ConnecƟon has placed a moratorium on some of the DBE requirements associated with this RFP. That moratorium may be liŌed if the Interim Final Rule is not made permanent, or is otherwise amended. As a result of the Interim Final Rule, the DBE cerƟficaƟon standards have changed, and the DBE database maintained by the California Unified CerƟficaƟon Program (CUCP) lists DBE firms cerƟfied under invalid cerƟficaƟon standards. As of the issuance date of this RFP, proposers are not required to obtain DBE parƟcipaƟon on this contract and County ConnecƟon may not count DBE parƟcipaƟon on this contract towards its overall DBE goal.

County ConnecƟon may, at some Ɵme in the future, direct the selected Contractor to maintain records of all DBE parƟcipaƟon in the performance of the Contract. In the event that County ConnecƟon directs the selected Contractor to maintain records of DBE parƟcipaƟon in the performance of the Contract, all DBE firms parƟcipaƟng in the project must be cerƟfied DBEs as of the date of such direcƟon by County ConnecƟon. County ConnecƟon will accept cerƟficaƟons by the CUCP that are in compliance with the Interim Final Rule.

It is County ConnecƟon’s policy to ensure non-discriminaƟon in the award and administraƟon of all contracts and to create a level playing field on which Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s) can compete fairly for contracts and subcontracts relaƟng to County ConnecƟon’s construcƟon, procurement, and professional services acƟviƟes. To this end, the County ConnecƟon has developed procedures to remove barriers to DBE parƟcipaƟon in the proposal and award process and to assist DBEs to develop and compete successfully outside of the DBE Program. County ConnecƟon has commiƩed to a three-year overall goal of 3.5% SBE/DBE parƟcipaƟon. In connecƟon with the performance of this contract, the selected Contractor will cooperate with County ConnecƟon in meeƟng these commitments and objecƟves. Pursuant to U.S. DOT RegulaƟons 49 CFR Part 26, the selected Contractor is required to make the following assurance in its agreement with County ConnecƟon and to include this assurance in any agreements it makes with subcontractors in the performance of the contract:

"The CONTRACTOR (and any subcontractors) shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, naƟonal origin or sex in the performance of this contract. The CONTRACTOR (and any subcontractors) shall carry out applicable requirements of the 49 CFR Part 26 in the award and administraƟon of U.S. DOT-assisted contracts.

Failure by the CONTRACTOR (and any subcontractors) to carry out these

Pg. 14 of 169 requirements is a material breach of this contract, which may result in the terminaƟon of this contract or such other remedy, as County ConnecƟon deems appropriate."

By submiƫng a proposal, the Proposer is deemed to have made the foregoing assurance and to be bound by its terms.

In addiƟon to and in accordance with the federal DBE RegulaƟons (49 CFR Part 26.39), County ConnecƟon has implemented a small business element, as part of its DBE Program. County ConnecƟon encourages the parƟcipaƟon of DBEs for contracƟng and subcontracƟng opportuniƟes available at County ConnecƟon. DBEs are oŌen eligible for cerƟficaƟon as Small Business Enterprises (SBEs); therefore, County ConnecƟon also encourages the parƟcipaƟon of cerƟfied SBEs, who meet the current SBA business size standard. County ConnecƟon will not accept cerƟficaƟons/verificaƟons by agencies that allow companies to self-cerƟfy as small businesses. County ConnecƟon’s DBE Officer is available to assist proposers with idenƟfying subcontracƟng opportuniƟes, and DBE and SBE resources.

A completed and signed List of Prime Contractor and Subcontractors/Suppliers form (see Exhibit C) must be submiƩed with the proposal. This form includes informaƟon about the Proposer and all subcontractors/suppliers that provided a bid, quote, or proposal.

Where the selected Contractor has indicated SBE firms will be uƟlized under the contract, the selected Contractor shall submit to the DBE Officer periodic progress and parƟcipaƟon reports documenƟng that SBE uƟlizaƟon. These reports shall be prepared and cerƟfied correct by the selected Contractor or its authorized representaƟve. The SBE reporƟng forms to be used for this purpose will be furnished by the DBE Officer aŌer award of contract.

The selected Contractor shall maintain records to verify applicable SBE parƟcipaƟon. Such records shall show the name and business address of each SBE parƟcipaƟng in the Contract, the total dollar amount actually paid each SBE, and the date of payment.

The selected Contractor shall retain all records concerning DBE/SBE parƟcipaƟon under this contract for not less than three (3) years. The selected Contractor shall not make subsƟtuƟons of previously approved DBE/SBE subcontractors or suppliers without prior wriƩen approval from County ConnecƟon.

County ConnecƟon reserves the right to request addiƟonal informaƟon regarding DBE/SBE parƟcipaƟon in this Contract. Failure to submit the requested informaƟon and/or documentaƟon within the Ɵmes stated shall make the Proposer ineligible for award.

Any Proposer who would like addiƟonal informaƟon regarding SBE/DBE parƟcipaƟon on this contract or County ConnecƟon's DBE Program may contact KrisƟna MarƟnez, Director of Human Resources, at 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord, California 94520, (925) 680-2031.

Pg. 15 of 169

6. LABOR PROTECTIONS

Operators and call center staff working for the exisƟng contractor belong to the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1605. In order to maintain conƟnuity of service and maximize customer service, County ConnecƟon desires the winning Proposer to maintain good labor relaƟons. A copy of the collecƟve bargaining agreement between the ATU and the current Contractor, Transdev, is included in Part 3.

6.1 California Labor Code 1070 et seq.

The selected Contractor and any subcontractors will be responsible for full compliance with California Labor Code SecƟon 1070, et seq.

Ten Percent Preference for Retaining Current Employees The law establishes incenƟves to proposers for public transit service contracts who will retain qualified employees of the prior contractor or its subcontractor to perform the same or similar work for a period of at least 90 days. These incenƟves protect against the significant economic dislocaƟon of qualified public transit employees. Pursuant to the law, the Proposer must declare in its proposal whether or not it and its subcontractor(s) will retain the employees (as defined by California Labor Code SecƟon 1071(d)) of the prior contractor or subcontractor(s), except for reasonable and substanƟated cause, for a period of at least 90 days (See Workforce RetenƟon DeclaraƟon Form). County ConnecƟon will give a 10% preference to any Proposer that declares it will retain such employees.

Employee Lists from ExisƟng Contractor County ConnecƟon will arrange to make available to prospecƟve Proposers informaƟon regarding the number of Transdev employees who are performing services under the current services contract with County ConnecƟon and the wage rates, benefits, and job classificaƟons of those employees. If the successor services contract is awarded to a new contractor, the exisƟng contractor will promptly (no later than fiŌeen (15) business days aŌer County ConnecƟon's request) provide the names, addresses, dates of hire, wages, benefit levels and job classificaƟons of employees to County ConnecƟon and the successor contractor.

Employee Lists from Contractor — During Contract Term In order to facilitate the provisions of the law, County ConnecƟon requires that upon the commencement of the Contract and throughout the full term of the Contract, that the successor contractor (Contractor) and its subcontractor(s) maintain a list of all employees providing the services required under the Contract, which includes the informaƟon above and must indicate which employees were employed by the prior contractor and its subcontractor(s), if any. The Contractor and its subcontractor(s) must also maintain a list of all employees of the prior contractor and its subcontractor(s), that were not retained

Pg. 16 of 169 by the Contractor or its subcontractor(s), and such list must indicate the reasons why such employees were not retained.

Upon request from County ConnecƟon, the Contractor and its subcontractor(s) must provide such lists to County ConnecƟon within 10 days of such request. County ConnecƟon may request such lists throughout the term of the Contract.

Employee Lists from Contractor— Before ExpiraƟon or TerminaƟon of Contract At least six months before the end of the Contract, Contractor and its subcontractor(s) will be required to provide County ConnecƟon a list of employees working at County ConnecƟon and LAVTA locaƟons(s). This list of employees must indicate the length of service of each employee, their job Ɵtle and descripƟon, and their current salary. This informaƟon may be distributed by County ConnecƟon to future proposers for a new contract that will commence whenever the current contract term ends. Contractor and its subcontractor(s) must provide updates on a monthly basis of the employee lists aŌer the original employee list has been submiƩed.

Contractor and its subcontractors’ obligaƟon to provide monthly updates of the employee lists will last unƟl the end of the Contract term. If a new contract is awarded to a different contractor at the end of Contractor’s Contract, Contractor must provide to the new contractor the name, address, date of hire, wages, benefit level, and job classificaƟon of each employee employed at Contractor’s locaƟons covered by Contractor’s Contract within fiŌeen (15) business days aŌer Contractor has been noƟfied by County ConnecƟon of the idenƟty of the new contractor. Any outstanding payments due to Contractor, including but not limited to, the final payment will not be processed unƟl Contractor and its subcontractor(s) comply with all requirements described in this SecƟon.

Successor Contractor ResponsibiliƟes under Labor Code 1070, et seq.; IndemnificaƟon The Contractor and its subcontractor(s) that declares it will retain such employees will be responsible for the duƟes and obligaƟons provided in California Labor Code SecƟon 1072, including making a wriƩen offer of employment to each employee to be retained and in the event fewer employees are necessary under the new Contract, retaining qualified employees by seniority within the job classificaƟon. Nothing in the California Labor Code SecƟon 1070, et seq. requires the Contractor or subcontractor(s) to pay the same wages or offer the same level of benefits provided by the prior contractor or subcontractor(s).

The Contractor will also be subject to the enforcement provisions of California Labor Code SecƟon 1073 for any violaƟons of this law.

Contractor is responsible for defending, and will hold County ConnecƟon and LAVTA harmless from, any claims or controversies alleging any violaƟon or breach of Labor Code SecƟon 1070, et seq., whether made by Contractor’s own employees, the employees of its subcontractor(s), or employees of the prior contractor or its subcontractor(s), arising from or related to the terms and condiƟons of employment of

Pg. 17 of 169 employees hired to work for Contractor as of the effecƟve date of the Contract. This indemnificaƟon obligaƟon will survive the terminaƟon or expiraƟon of the Contract.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, no cost of liability for which Contractor is responsible under this paragraph will be deemed an allowable cost payable to Contractor or claim or liability for which Contractor is enƟtled to indemnificaƟon or reimbursement from County ConnecƟon or LAVTA. Contractor shall be exclusively responsible for saƟsfacƟon of all obligaƟons that may be owed to its employees of the prior contractor, pursuant to Labor Code SecƟon 1070, et seq., both during and subsequent to the terms of the Contract.

6.2 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act

Proposers are hereby noƟfied that County ConnecƟon receives federal mass transit funds, and that, under SecƟon 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act (49 U.S.C. SecƟon 5333(b)), it must protect covered mass transit employees affected by any “project” that County ConnecƟon iniƟates that uses the federal mass transit money. For covered employees, this includes:

(a) conƟnuing their collecƟve bargaining rights; (b) protecƟng them against a worsening of their employment condiƟons (including reducƟons in wages and benefits); (c) providing priority of reemployment if the employee is laid off or their job is eliminated; and (d) providing paid training.

The selected Contractor agrees that no provision of the Contract will require it to dismiss or displace any employee or to rearrange the workforce covered by any SecƟon 13(c) agreements as a result of any "Project" as defined by the SecƟon 13(c) agreements to which the selected Contractor has agreed to be bound in accordance with 49 U.S.C.

§5333(b). The selected Contractor shall therefore be responsible for defending, and shall hold County ConnecƟon and LAVTA harmless from, any claims or controversies alleging any violaƟon or breach of the SecƟon 13(c) agreements to which Contractor has agreed to be bound, whether made by Contractor's own employees, the employees of its subcontractors, or employees of any former contractor of County ConnecƟon or LAVTA, or any other employees that allege to have been affected by the project, arising from or related to any organizaƟon or reorganizaƟon of workforce or any modificaƟon of the terms and condiƟons of employment of employees hired to work for the selected Contractor on the effecƟve date of the Contract or as a result of any increases or reducƟons in the level of those services thereaŌer, unless those later acƟons have been explicitly directed and required in wriƟng by County ConnecƟon in exercising its rights under this Agreement. This indemnificaƟon obligaƟon will survive the terminaƟon or expiraƟon of the Contract. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Contract, no cost or liability for which the selected Contractor is responsible under this paragraph shall be deemed an allowable cost payable to the selected Contractor or a claim or liability for which the selected Contractor is enƟtled to indemnificaƟon by County ConnecƟon.

Pg. 18 of 169

Please also see Public TransportaƟon Employee ProtecƟve Arrangements Requirements in the Federal Requirements of the Sample Agreement.

7. AGREEMENTS FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES, VEHICLE LEASE, & FACILITIES USE

The firm selected by County ConnecƟon to provide the services outlined in Part 2 will be required to execute an Agreement for Professional Services, a Vehicle Lease Agreement, and a FaciliƟes Use Agreement (collecƟvely “Agreements”) with County ConnecƟon. Samples of these Agreements are included in Part 3. If a Proposer desires any addiƟons, deleƟons, or modificaƟons to the form of Agreements, they must be submiƩed with the proposal. With the excepƟon of any such addiƟons, deleƟons, and modificaƟons, the Proposer will, by making a proposal, be deemed to have accepted the form of Agreements. In parƟcular, Proposers are directed to review the insurance and indemnificaƟon requirements set forth in the Sample Agreement for Professional Services.

Pg. 19 of 169

PART 2 — SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ACRONYMS

ACD – AutomaƟc Call DistribuƟon system

ADA – the Americans with DisabiliƟes Act of 1990, as amended

ADA Paratransit – adapƟve public transit service for individuals with disabiliƟes or disabling health condiƟons that prevent them from…