#2026-RFP-CB-01

Title: On-Call Grant Development, Compliance, and Technical Advisory Services

SCOPE OF WORK

Summary CityBus (Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation) is the public transportation provider for the Greater Lafayette, Indiana region, delivering fixed-route, paratransit, campus, and mobility services that support residents, businesses, educational institutions, and visitors throughout the community.

As the Agency continues to invest in fleet modernization, facility improvements, passenger amenities, technology enhancements, and long-range service initiatives, securing and effectively managing grant funding has become increasingly important to achieving its strategic goals.

CityBus intends to establish a contract with a qualified consultant or consultant team to provide on-call grant development, compliance, and technical advisory services. The selected consultant will serve as an extension of Agency staff by assisting with funding strategy, competitive grant development, grant administration, regulatory compliance, and related technical services necessary to successfully plan, secure, implement, and manage federally and state-funded projects.

Services will be provided on an as-needed basis through individually authorized task assignments during the term of the contract.

NEORide is issuing and administering this Request for Proposals (RFP) on behalf of CityBus (Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation). This procurement is being conducted exclusively for the benefit of CityBus and is not a cooperative procurement or purchasing agreement. Services resulting from this solicitation will be provided solely to CityBus under a contract executed between CityBus and the selected proposer.

Project Details This procurement is being administered by NEORide in accordance with applicable federal procurement requirements, including 2 CFR Part 200 and FTA Circular 4220.1F, on behalf of CityBus. The selected consultant shall assist CityBus in achieving the following objectives:

· Maximize the Agency's ability to secure federal, state, and discretionary funding opportunities.

· Develop and maintain a proactive funding strategy that supports both short-term and long-range capital and operational priorities.

· Prepare high-quality, competitive grant applications supported by technical analysis, accurate budgets, and compelling project narratives.

· Assist CityBus in maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local grant requirements throughout the grant lifecycle.

· Support implementation of awarded grants through effective project management, reporting, documentation, and closeout activities.

· Identify emerging funding opportunities and advise the Agency on project readiness and competitiveness.

· Reduce administrative burden on Agency staff by providing timely technical assistance, regulatory guidance, and grant administration support.

· Assist with procurement and project documentation necessary to maintain grant eligibility and compliance.

· Develop tools, processes, and recommendations that strengthen the Agency's long-term grant management capacity.

· Provide technical expertise that supports implementation of CityBus's strategic plans, capital improvement initiatives, fleet modernization efforts, facility improvements, technology investments, and other organizational priorities.

The selected consultant shall provide professional services on an as-needed basis through individual task assignments. Services may include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Funding Strategy & Grant Readiness The consultant shall assist CityBus in developing and maintaining a comprehensive funding strategy that aligns anticipated projects with available funding opportunities.

Services may include:

· Identification and evaluation of federal, state, regional, and local funding opportunities.

· Development of annual and multi-year funding strategies.

· Grant readiness assessments.

· Funding eligibility analyses.

· Capital funding prioritization.

· Matching fund strategy development.

· Funding opportunity calendars.

· Legislative and regulatory monitoring.

· Strategic planning support related to future funding opportunities.

· Executive briefings regarding significant funding developments.

Deliverables may include funding matrices, grant calendars, readiness assessments, implementation strategies, and executive summaries.

B. Grant Development The consultant shall provide comprehensive grant development services for competitive and formula-funded programs.

Services may include:

· Evaluation of Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs).

· Grant application planning and coordination.

· Development of project narratives.

· Preparation of budgets and supporting documentation.

· Coordination of technical information from Agency staff and project partners.

· Benefit-cost analysis coordination.

· Development of schedules and implementation plans.

· Preparation of supporting documentation.

· Submission support through applicable grant management systems.

· Review and editing of Agency-prepared applications.

Grant programs may include, but are not limited to:

· Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs

· Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) programs

· U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary grant programs

· Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) programs

· Indiana Metropolitan Planning Organization funding opportunities

· Environmental and energy-related grant opportunities

· Other federal, state, regional, local, and private funding programs as appropriate.

C. Grant Administration Following award, the consultant may assist CityBus with grant implementation and administration.

Services may include:

· Grant award review and acceptance support.

· Development of implementation schedules.

· Budget monitoring.

· Scope management.

· Grant amendments and revisions.

· Progress reporting.

· Performance reporting.

· Financial documentation support.

· Grant reimbursement assistance.

· Documentation management.

· Grant closeout support.

D. Grant Compliance & Regulatory Support The consultant shall provide technical guidance to assist CityBus in maintaining compliance with applicable grant requirements.

Services may include:

· Interpretation of federal and state grant requirements.

· Review of grant documentation for compliance.

· Assistance with FTA circulars and guidance.

· Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) support.

· Procurement compliance guidance.

· Buy America and Build America, Buy America (BABA) guidance.

· Civil Rights, Title VI, DBE, ADA, and related federal program support.

· Internal compliance reviews.

· Preparation for oversight reviews and audits.

· Corrective action assistance, when required.

The consultant shall provide recommendations that promote sound grant management practices while reducing compliance risk and strengthening CityBus's long-term administrative capacity.

Project Administration NEORide has been authorized by CityBus to administer this procurement process, including issuance of the solicitation, receipt of proposals, coordination of communications with proposers, administration of addenda, facilitation of the evaluation process, and assistance with contract negotiations, as requested.

CityBus will serve as the evaluation committee and will independently evaluate all proposals submitted in response to this solicitation. CityBus retains sole authority regarding proposal evaluation, consultant selection, contract award, contract administration, and acceptance of services.

The contract resulting from this solicitation shall be between CityBus and the selected consultant. NEORide shall not be a party to the resulting agreement and assumes no contractual obligations arising from this procurement.

Award Following completion of the evaluation process, CityBus intends to select the proposer determined to provide the best value in accordance with the evaluation criteria established in this RFP. Any recommendation developed during the evaluation process is subject to approval by CityBus. CityBus reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to award a contract in its sole discretion.