4-1. RFP 26-04 - Designing for Transit Guideline and ADA Analysis.pdf

Request for Proposals

#26-04

MST Designing for Transit Guidelines and

ADA Analysis Project

For The

Monterey-Salinas Transit District

RFP #26-04 SCHEDULE

Issue Date: Friday, December 19, 2025

Question Submission Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026 by 12:00 PM

Deadline to Submit Proposals: Friday, January 30, 2026 by 2:00 PM

Interviews: Week of February 16, 2026

Monterey-Salinas Transit

19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200

Monterey, CA 93940

Request for Proposals For

MST Designing for Transit Guidelines and

ADA Analysis Project for the

Monterey-Salinas Transit District

Bus stops are a critical part of every transit rider’s experience. The Designing for Transit

Guidelines and ADA Analysis Project would help to outline a path to make transportation safe, accessible, and equitable for all modes and abilities throughout Monterey County.

Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST) is the primary public transit provider in Monterey

County. The agency operates 37 routes, serving the County’s estimated 437,325 residents. It operates through two major transit hubs in Monterey and Salinas, as well as secondary hubs in

Marina and Sand City. Additionally, MST provides connections to the City of Paso Robles in

San Luis Obispo County, the City of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, and the City of Gilroy in

Santa Clara County. MST’s most frequent transit bus service is focused around the denser, more urban areas of Salinas and Monterey. Limited service extends to rural communities in southern

Monterey County.

Designing for Transit is a guide for developers, planners, city or public agency staff, and transit agency staff to meet complete street objectives while providing the best possible experience for bus riders, bus drivers, and others around bus stops and along bus routes. The most recent edition is from 2020, and it has become outdated as new state laws take effect.

Designing for Transit provides a high-level overview of bus stop planning and design considerations, as well as integrating transit service on streets. The guide addresses bus stops, where and how bus stops interact with the street network to inform placement at an intersection, minimum street dimensions for accommodating buses and providing other transit-supportive or priority treatments along roadways, and access between bus stops and the places people want to go.

Well-designed and thoughtfully located bus stops are a key component of high-quality transportation systems. By updating the Designing for Transit guide, MST can collectively improve the quality, efficiency, customer experience, and safety of our transit system.

The primary project stakeholders will be Monterey-Salinas Transit District and Caltrans.

AMBAG supports this project and is available to assist and provide input when needed. The

Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) maintains a Technical Advisory

Committee (TAC) comprised of public works staff from across Monterey County. The TAC will provide invaluable technical expertise throughout the project. MST will be hiring a Consultant to complete the scope of work listed below. Due to the interconnectedness of this project, TAMC, AMBAG, Monterey County, and the 12 jurisdictions MST serves will also be involved.

The overall project objectives are to 1) update the Designing for Transit guide and 2) perform a thorough ADA analysis of all active stops within the MST service area.

The consultant selected will enter into a contract with MST effective upon contract execution and receipt of a Notice to Proceed, and shall remain in effect through the completion of all deliverables described in the Scope of Services.

Proposals must be received by MST NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM, Pacific Time on

Friday, January 30, 2026. Any submissions received past this deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted through Monterey-Salinas Transit’s Bonfire eProcurement portal. If you are not already registered, please do so at www.mst.org/procurement and select “Become a Vendor.”

If you have any questions regarding this solicitation, please submit them via MST’s Bonfire Portal no later than 12:00 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026. An addendum to this RFP will be issued answering any questions received by the deadline.

If you have any questions related to the procurement process, please contact:

Monterey-Salinas Transit

19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200

Monterey, CA 93940

Attention: Steven Bruno

Purchasing Agent

Phone: 831-264-5884

Email: sbruno@mst.org

History and Overview of MST

The Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST) was created by state law AB644 and formed on July 1, 2010. The District succeeds the Monterey-Salinas Transit Joint Powers

Agency formed in 1981 when the City of Salinas joined the Monterey Peninsula Transit

Joint Powers Agency which was formed in 1972.

Current members of the district are the Cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, and the County of Monterey. A board of directors with a representative from each member jurisdiction governs the agency and appoints the general manager.

MST serves a 159-square-mile area of Monterey County, Northern San Luis Obispo, Southern Santa Cruz, and Southern Santa Clara Counties. MST’s 37 routes serve an estimated 437,325 within ¾ mile of a bus stop in Monterey County.

http://www.mst.org/procurement mailto:sbruno@mst.org

For more information about MST, log onto http://www.mst.org/.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Task 1: Existing Conditions

The Consultant will review MST’s current Designing for Transit and will research and summarize industry best practices for developing design guidelines and meeting ADA standards at bus stops, as well as conducting peer agency reviews. The peer agency reviews will focus on understanding processes and policies that have been most effective in maintaining and managing stops and most efficient in completing stop improvements. The review of MST’s current guidelines will ensure the updated guidelines are in alignment with existing policies and identify any policy that may require refinement based on updates to bus stop design best practices. The

Consultant will also research and summarize all relevant transportation and land use documents and policies affecting the study area, including a review of existing data collected for previous planning efforts. This includes, but is not limited to, AMBAG’s Monterey Bay Moving Forward

2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, City of Monterey’s

ADA Transition Plan, MST’s Title VI Program Update, MST Transit-Oriented Development

(TOD) Planning Study, and ADA Standards for Transportation Facilities.

The ADA Analysis will evaluate all MST bus stops and be used to make recommendations for future bus stop locations and improvements. A peer review will be conducted to understand how other agencies have incorporated ADA requirements into their bus stops, including signage. The

Consultant will review ADA standards and analyze current bus stops within MST’s service area to identify locations where bus stops are ADA compliant and where upgrades are needed. The

Consultant will also review transit operating schedules and data to compile performance measures to be used for ADA analysis.

Task Deliverables

Summary of existing Designing for Transit guidelines and peer review

Summary of existing MST bust stop infrastructure

Summary of existing ADA standards

Task 2: Analysis

The Consultant will analyze agency specific information, including recent bus stop design, current amenities, and current and near term fleet mix. As MST moves toward a zero emissions fleet, new vehicles with different weights and dimensions will be added to the fleet. As ridership continues to increase, additional vehicle types, such as double-decker buses may be added to

MST’s fleet and would also need to be analyzed. The updates should take into consideration the surrounding environments to ensure that these guidelines address the specific nuances of transportation. Characteristics such as ridership and frequency of service, roadway classification, and presence of a bicycle lane could be used to help determine the best bus stop classification.

Updated guidelines will maintain a balance between allowing for flexibility and providing clear http://www.mst.org/ guidance to agency staff and local jurisdictions. The Consultant will work closely with MST staff to ensure that the final guidelines provide clear guidance on appropriate designs and amenities at various bus stops.

To best incorporate ADA standards into all aspects of the bus stop, the consultant will review and analyze best practices for bus stop flag design to produce a memorandum. This memo will be used internally by MST staff to design and install future ADA-compliant bus stop flags throughout MST’s service area

The Consultant will prepare an inventory of ADA compliance at all bus stops within MST’s system. The inventory will include stops that are already ADA compliant and assess what upgrades are necessary at non-compliant stops to bring them up to ADA standards. The inventory will also include cost estimates for the necessary upgrades. A discussion of cost-effective maintenance needed at these locations will include, but not be limited to: pavement conditions, sidewalk and landing width, and boarding area slope. In addition to the inventory, the

Consultant will analyze data related to land use surrounding stops, equity, and current ridership and service data to better identify and prioritize ADA improvements. This scope of work does not include construction of stop improvements.

Summary of updated guidelines

ADA Bus Stop Signage Memorandum

Bus Stop Inventory

Task 3: Public Outreach

A number of outreach efforts would take place to ensure the public is involved in the planning process. Public opinion would be solicited for information related to the preferences and concerns about bus stop infrastructure and amenities, and existing first-last mile connections.

In person or online surveys would be conducted. These surveys would target both riders and non-riders and would be available in other languages as appropriate to provide equitable access. The survey will be shared through social media and community organizations. The survey would seek information on what MST riders and non-riders are looking for in the waiting environment.

These surveys could help gain insights into how bus stop needs and preferences may differ by community.

The Consultant would attend up to four (4) public community events such as TAMC’s Bike and

Pedestrian Committee and the MST Mobility Advisory Committee (MAC). MAC is comprised of consumers and medical/social service agency personnel who have first hand experience using

MST’s service or assisting others to do so. MAC input would be considered during the analysis portion of the project.

Meeting Summaries

Presentation Information

Sign-in Sheets

Survey and Survey Results

Task 4: Advisory Committee Meetings

The Consultant and MST will conduct meetings with TAMC and AMBAG staff to provide technical and advisory input to the Designing for Transit guide update. This group can help to identify any existing challenges with bus stop infrastructure and any gaps in the current guidelines. Planning and/or public works staff from local jurisdictions input would be valuable for identifying any local issues. MST and the Consultant will hold at least three meetings with the Technical Advisory Committee to assess the effectiveness of the updates and ensure that the guidelines are user friendly. Other topics to be discussed with the Technical Advisory Committee include bus stop inventory and ADA improvement prioritization. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure clear communication between MST, Caltrans, and TAMC throughout the life of the project.

Agendas

Attendee Lists

Minutes/notes from Technical Advisory Committee

Task 5: Draft and Final Plan

Consultant will produce and distribute a Designing for Transit Guide Draft Report for review and discussion with the Technical Advisory Committee for their input regarding changes for the

Draft Report. The updated guidelines will integrate key goals, objectives, and policies identified throughout the project. An ADA Analysis Draft Report and Bus Stop Signage memorandum will also be produced and distributed. In addition, Consultant will prepare a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the results of the report in an editable format.

Designing for Transit Draft Report

ADA Analysis Draft Report

Bus Stop Signage Memorandum

PowerPoint presentation

Task 6: Board Review/Approval

Consultant will present the Draft Report to the MST Board Operations Performance Committee.

Consultant will revise the Draft Report and incorporate all revisions suggested by the MST

Board Operations Performance Committee. A complete electronic copy of the Final Report, including files in the source application, will be the final product. Consultant will ensure that the

Final Report is an ADA compliant document. The Consultant will present the Final Report to the full MST Board of Directors upon completion.

Draft Board Reports

Meeting Minutes

Designing for Transit Final Report

ADA Analysis Final Report

ATTACHMENTS

The following attachments are hereby made part of this Request for Proposals (RFP) #26-04:

Appendix A – Sample Contract

Appendix A(1) – Required Federal Clauses

Appendix A(2) – Grant Agreement

Appendix B – Caltrans Reimbursement Guide

Appendix C – Caltrans Travel Policy

Appendix D – Required Forms

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Each proposal must include all completed forms from Appendix D as well as the following information. This information should be confined to no more than 20 Pages, excluding resumes of staff members and required forms. Please submit One (1) electronic version of your proposal.

1. Firm name, business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address.

2. Date of establishment of business.

3. Type of organization (individual, partnership, or corporation).

4. Description of firm’s experience with local government agencies, especially transit agencies, if any.

5. Description of firm’s experience with other clients.

6. List of current clients and contact information.

7. Names of individuals who would be directly engaged in the performance of work under this solicitation. For each of the individuals please submit:

a. Number of years related experience.

b. List of references and contact information.

c. Brief description of work performed for these references or relationship to these references.

8. Describe any areas of specialty that your firm has (such as type of client and/or subject matter and/or other).

9. Include your general approach on how to best serve MST and how you propose to meet

MST’s needs.

10. Please outline your cost for the described services using the Cost Proposal Form in

Appendix D. Do not include your cost proposal in the same document as your technical proposal. This must be uploaded separately to the Cost Proposal section of the procurement submittals in Bonfire.

This project will be paid for in part or in whole using Federal Funds and/or Caltrans Grant Funding. The contractor must agree to abide by all Federally Required Contract Clauses provided in Appendix A(1), the clauses of the Grant Agreement in Appendix A(2), Caltrans’ Reimbursement Guide in Appendix B, and

Caltrans’ Travel Policy in Appendix C. These clauses are not negotiable. In addition, proposers must not be debarred or suspended in any way. A search of the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) will be conducted to confirm.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

The Evaluation Committee will review all proposals. Those firms determined to meet MST objectives may be invited to an oral interview, if deemed appropriate. These interviews are expected to take place during the week if February 16, excluding the 16th itself as this is a holiday. Staff will recommend a firm for contract award and a contract will be awarded pending approval of the Monterey-Salinas Transit District Board of Directors.

The selection will be made of the firm or person whose proposal is most responsive to the

Request for Proposals (RFP) and offers the best advantage to MST.

As part of the selection process, consultants may be requested to provide information concerning client representation for evaluation by MST. If, at the discretion of MST, a conflict of interest, real or apparent, exists or may exist, then MST reserves the right not to select a consultant to perform the services herein, regardless of the qualifications of that consultant or the ranking of the consultant as provided below.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:

1. Qualifications of the Firm: Technical experience in performing work of a closely similar nature; experience working with transportation organizations or other public agencies; record of completing work on schedule; strength and stability of the firm;

technical experience and strength and stability of proposed sub-consultants, if any; and assessments by client references. (30 points)

2. Staffing and Project Organization: Qualifications of project staff, particularly key personnel, especially the project manager; key personnel’s level of involvement in performing related work; logic of project organization; adequacy of labor commitment;

concurrence in the restrictions on changes in key personnel. (20 points)

3. Demonstrated understanding of the project requirements and potential problem areas; project approach, work plan, and quality assurance program. (35 points)

4. Cost and Price: Reasonableness of the total price and competitiveness of this amount with other offers received. Consultants are asked to submit a cost proposal separate from their technical proposal that accurately reflects their costs in performing the services discussed in the scope of work. (15 points)

RIGHTS OF MST

This RFP does not commit MST to enter into a Contract, nor does it obligate MST to pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of proposals or in anticipation of a contract.

MST may investigate the qualifications of any Proposer under consideration, require confirmation of information furnished by the Proposer, and require additional evidence or qualifications to perform the Services described in this RFP.

MST reserves the right to:

1. Reject any or all proposals.

2. Issue subsequent Requests for Proposal.

3. Postpone opening for its own convenience.

4. Remedy technical errors in the Request for Proposal process.

5. Approve or disapprove the use of particular sub-consultants.

6. Negotiate with any, all, or none of the Proposers.

7. Solicit best and final offers from all or some of the Proposers.

8. Award a contract to one or more Proposers.

9. Accept other than the lowest offer.

10. Waive informalities and irregularities in proposals.

The proposals received become the exclusive property of MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT

DISTRICT. At such time as a contract award is made by MST, all proposals submitted in response to this RFP shall become a matter of public record and shall be regarded as public records, with the exception of those elements of each proposal which are trade secrets as the term is defined in California Government Code 6254.7 and which are so marked as “TRADE

SECRET,” “CONFIDENTIAL,” OR “PROPRIETARY.” MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT

DISTRICT shall not in any way be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any such records or portions thereof, including, without limitation, those so marked if disclosure is deemed required by law or by an order of a court. Proposals that indiscriminately identify all or most of the proposal as exempt from disclosure without justification may be found technically unacceptable.