140P1224Q0033_Request_for_Information_Auto_Passenger_Count_1.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) 140P1224Q0033 National Park Service, ZION Transportation System Automatic People Counters

(APC)

RFI Coordinator

All communication regarding this RFI must be made through the RFI Coordinator identified below.

Name: Billie Thomas Title: Contract Specialist Contact Information: Billie_thomas@nps.gov

Submitted Questions Due

All questions must be submitted via email Billie_thomas@nps.gov:

Date: 2/21/2024, no later than 11:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (MS)

Response Submission

Submission Deadline: 2/27/2024, no later than 11:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (MS) Submit to Email: Billie_thomas@nps.gov

INTRODUCTION

This Request for Information (RFI) is an information gathering and market research tool, not a formal solicitation of a specific requirement. Zion National Park (ZION) is seeking information regarding an Automatic Passenger Counting System for planning purposes related to Passenger Counting and Data Integration Solutions from interested parties as defined in this RFI document. This is an opportunity for interested parties to help ZION better understand a marketplace and/or specific subject matter. This is a non-binding Request for Information (RFI). Therefore, no award shall be made as a result of the RFI process.

ZION is currently purchasing new Flyer Battery Electric Buses. The fleet will consist of Five (5), 40’ buses and Twenty-Five (25), 60’ articulated buses. All buses have a universal connector, wired above each door, but no Automated Passenger Counting (APC) capability was built-in. ZION is seeking information and rough order of magnitude pricing on potential APC solutions for our transportation system.

The ZION Transportation System operates two transit lines: one within Zion National Park and one in Springdale Town immediately outside the boundary of the park. Each line is an in-and-out system with nine stops, although the buses do not stop at every stop during each loop. In 2023, we recorded nearly 6,000,000 passenger boardings. Buses are parked at a central facility overnight and during the off-season (typically December – February).

Quantity:

Each 40’ bus has two sets of doors and each 60’ bus has three sets of doors, for a total of 85 sets of doors where APC units will be installed.

Systems Integration:

Each bus is currently utilizing New Flyer Connect Telematics to monitor bus statistics. Potential to integrate into that system is beneficial. Any additional systems must be intuitive, reasonable, and generally self-operation (i.e., require no regular input from the driver). Include information on all components and software systems required to capture and convey passenger count data.

Accuracy & Capability:

Sensors should be accurate to at least 95% to reliably count the number of passengers both boarding and alighting from each stop under various environmental conditions. Capability to separate types of users (wheelchairs, strollers, children vs. adults, etc.) is beneficial. Include information about location-based people counting when data connections are not available (ie. via GPS or other sensor systems). The current expectation for the system is purely tracking numbers of people for data collection, although expanded functionality in the future—including real-time access to counts to facilitate efficient use of the system—should be possible.

Other Requirements:

Buy-America Compliant and capability for gathering data without an internet connection are imperative, as the buses are U.S. Government property and operate in a canyon with no cellular or wireless service for roughly half of their route. No known outstanding general safety, privacy, security, or hazardous issues will be accepted. The system should not interfere with passenger movement or privacy.

Passenger data should be securely transmitted & stored so that is only accessed by authorized personnel.

System should not require regular specialized maintenance or cleaning.

Rough Order of Magnitude Pricing:

Include general purchase and initial installation costs for sensors and any system requirements, as well as costs for on-going subscriptions or anticipated typical renewal costs.

Timeline:

Include information on typical lead times and installation duration to obtain an APC operational system if or should an order be placed.

General Provisions

1. This is a non-binding Request for Information. Therefore, no award shall be made as a result of the RFI process.

2. Issuance of this RFI does not commit ZION to pay any expenses incurred by a Respondent in the preparation of their response to this RFI.

3. Issuance of this RFI in no way constitutes a commitment by ZION to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP).

4. All responses should adhere to the instructions and format requests outlined in this RFI and all written supplements and amendments.

5. All submissions in response to this RFI will be considered public records available for public inspection pursuant to the FOIA Freedom of Information Act.

I. INFORMATION SOUGHT

ZION seeks information regarding an Automatic Passenger Counting System for bus systems and welcomes responses to this RFI, including creative suggestions and feedback to enhance and expedite all future processes while providing efficient, reliable, and high-quality outcomes. Respondents are not required to submit responses pertaining to every question, but the National Park Service encourages interested parties to respond to any or all relevant aspects of the RFI.

ZION seeks detailed yet succinct responses demonstrating the Respondent’s experience and/or familiarity with the subject matter. As this is not a competitive RFP/RFQ process, Respondents should not provide any detailed and specific cost or customized pricing documentation in their response.

General cost estimates, ballpark estimates, or standard pricing history are permitted.

A. General Information

Provide a brief overview of yourself and your organization, if applicable.

1. Please identify yourself and any organization you represent in this RFI.

• Name of respondent.

• Organization and affiliation.

• Address (organizational, if responding on behalf of an entity).

• Contact information (phone number(s) and email address).

2. Please identify your experiences in providing APC solutions for bus system applications.

(Public or Private agencies)

B. Submitting the Response

1. Responses Due Responses must be received no later than the date and time listed on the cover page.

2. Delivery Instructions

Responses must be emailed by the date and time listed.

Response Format

• Responses to this RFI may be developed in a manner that suits the respondent.

• A list of key questions is included within the RFI, and all submissions, regardless of format, will be reviewed. Respondents are asked to be brief and to respond to as many questions as possible within the RFI.

• Number each response to correspond to the relevant question or instruction of the RFI to allow comparison and clarity.

REVIEW OF RESPONSES RECEIVED

C. General Information

1. ZION will review responses received for the purpose of gathering information and market research only. ZION will not score, or rate responses received.

2. ZION reserves the right to communicate and/or schedule interviews/presentations with

Respondents, if needed, to obtain additional information to enhance marketing research efforts.

APPENDIX A

RESPONSE COVER PAGE

RFI# 140P1224Q0033

ZION Transportation System APC

Lead Point of Contact - Name/Title:

Organization Name (if applicable):

Tel: Cell:

E-Mail: Website:

Street Address: City/State/Zip:

Appendix A – APC System Requirements

Automated Passenger Counting APC) System Requirements for ZION Bus Systems

1. Quantity and Quality: The system must accurately count the number of passengers boarding and alighting at each station.

• An accuracy of 95% or greater is crucial to provide reliable data for operational and planning purposes, ensuring that reports for funding and operation decisions are trustworthy.

• The system should account for passengers with disabilities, ensuring that the counting process includes their mobility or sensory impairments. ADA compliance.

2. Integration with Existing Infrastructure: The APC system should integrate with the Bus system's existing infrastructure & telemetrics, to facilitate data sharing and system coordination.

3. Data Security: Ensure the passenger count data is securely transmitted, stored, and accessed by authorized personnel.

• To ensure adherence to ZION's security policies, it is crucial for the software and servers to be compliant with security standards. This involves the ability to install security updates for programming languages, operating systems, and other relevant components for onboard and backend systems.

4. Robustness and Reliability: The system should be designed to function reliably under various environmental conditions (e.g., extreme weather, vibrations, lighting conditions) and should be resilient to potential vandalism and system failures to minimize downtime.

Ogden, Lisa M Bikes are not brought on the bus, and the first/last mile issue is not relevant to our situation.

5. Real-Time information: To ensure prompt and informed decision-making in Bus operations, the system must provide updated passenger count data within five minutes as much as possible given the constraints in connectivity along the routes. Additionally, it should offer the potential for reliability and capacity data for riders through third-party applications. This data is essential in managing passenger traffic, optimizing resources, and addressing unforeseen situations, such as accidents and overcrowding, that may require immediate attention to ensure passenger safety.

6. Minimal Maintenance: The system should be designed for low maintenance requirements to reduce operational costs and downtime without disrupting Bus operations.

• Diagnostics and regular maintenance tasks should be straightforward and easily conducted.

• Spare parts should be available as needed to reduce downtime or impact system accuracy.

• Defective parts should be repaired promptly to ensure part availability.

7. Non-Intrusiveness and Privacy: The APC system should not interfere with passenger movement or privacy.

• Cameras or sensors should not be obtrusive and blend in with the surroundings.

• To meet privacy laws, the system must ensure anonymity for passengers. Data collected must be used only for counting passengers and not for tracking or identifying individuals.

8. Data Analytics and Reporting: The system should have the potential to analyze and report data and allow for linking or exporting ridership data.

9. Validation Mechanisms: Include options for mechanisms to verify the accuracy of the counting system annually. Validation processes can include manual counts by staff to cross-check the automated counts and ensure data integrity.

10. Power Efficiency: The system should be power-efficient to minimize energy consumption and reduce the impact on the Bus system's overall energy requirements. The existing universal electrical tie-ins are 5 volts each.

RESPONSE COVER PAGE

Appendix A – APC System Requirements