8-02. 2026 ICB SCOPE.docx

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION 2

II. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) GUIDANCE 2

III. UDOT PROGRAM EMPHASIS 3

VII. ELIGIBLE EXPENSES 13

I. INTRODUCTION

The Utah Department of Transportation, Rural Public Transit Team, announces the availability of assistance funding for feeder route intercity bus services. This solicitation is based on the need for intercity bus service identified in the most recent statewide intercity bus assessment – The 2024 UDOT Intercity Bus Study – which analyzed gaps in existing service and potential ridership. Through this analysis, UDOT has identified two intercity bus routes as the priority for service implementation at this time. These routes include:

1. U.S. Routes 191 & 6 corridor beginning/terminating in Blanding, continuing to Green River via Monticello and Moab, with connections to Provo and beginning/terminating at the Salt Lake City intermodal Center

2. U.S. Route 40 corridor beginning/terminating in Vernal, continuing to Heber City via Roosevelt and Myton, with connections beginning/terminating at the Salt Lake City intermodal Center UDOT seeks proposals for the Blanding and Vernal corridors. Offerors may propose on either corridor individually or both corridors combined. UDOT reserves the right to evaluate and award corridors separately to different vendors, or jointly to a single vendor if determined to be in the best interest of the State.

The purpose of this RFP is to select a vendor(s) to operate the above mentioned routes. Federal funding has been allocated by UDOT to subsidize both routes through payment of the net operating expenses (gross operating expenses – minus revenue). It is expected that each route increase ridership through the course of this contract in order to reduce or eliminate the necessary subsidy in future years. The aggregate sum of all contracts may not exceed the total amount of annual distribution received from FTA through the Utah 5311(f) allocation.

II. FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) GUIDANCE

Program guidance for FTA’s rural intercity bus program is provided in (FTA) Circular 9040.1G (49 U.S.C. 5311 – Formula Grants for Other Than Urbanized Areas), Chapter VIII, Intercity Bus. The Circular defines intercity bus service as “regularly scheduled bus service for the general public that operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, that has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers, and that makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points, if such service is available.” Package express service may also be included, if incidental to passenger transportation[footnoteRef:1]. [1: Intercity service is not limited by the size of the vehicle used or by the identity of the carrier. Air, water, and rail service are not included. Assistance must support intercity bus service in rural and small urban areas (rural places are defined as under 50,000 persons). Charter and tour services are not eligible for FTA assistance per 49 CFR Part 604. Commuter bus services are not eligible for funding under this program.]

Services must be designed to provide for a meaningful connection with the national intercity bus network, including service to connecting points at times when passengers may make convenient connections. National Program Objectives. The National Objectives as prescribed by FTA in the Circular are as follows:

· To support the connection between rural areas and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus service.

· To support services to meet the intercity travel needs of residents in rural areas.

· To support the infrastructure of the intercity bus network through planning and marketing assistance and capital investment in facilities.

The link below offers additional information about FTA’s intercity bus program:

Intercity Bus Program Section 5311 (f) | FTA

III. UDOT PROGRAM EMPHASIS

The focus of the UDOT’s Section 5311(f) program is the provision of intercity bus connections to rural and small urban areas that have lost intercity connections, and focusing the limited resources on new routes or services in areas that have the fewest alternatives as a means to provide intrastate connections as well as interstate links. UDOT has chosen to participate in the FTA Section 5311(f) national intercity bus program through start-up assistance of operations as a means to address gaps in rural and regional travel connectivity. UDOT has chosen operational assistance funding of rural Intercity bus transit operations as a means to further rural/suburban/urban connectivity but does so utilizing a finite amount of FTA funds apportioned to the State of Utah. The State of Utah does not contribute any other or additional funds to this program.

The funding available for this award is under the direction of the Federal Transit Administration, Section 5311 grant apportionment. The formula grant for Rural Areas (5311) provides statutory reference for the Intercity Bus Program. “Each state must spend no less than 15 percent of its annual apportionment for the development and support of intercity bus transportation, unless it can certify, after consultation with intercity bus service providers, that the intercity bus needs of the state are being adequately met. The anticipated funding can be determined from Table 9: FY 2026 Section 5311 Rural Area Formula Apportionment on the FTA website https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments/table-9-fy-2026-section-5311-and-section-5340-rural-area-formula .

The definition of eligible intercity bus services under this program includes services that are:

· Open to the general public

· Regularly scheduled service (service offered five to seven days a week)

· Fixed-route

· Fixed schedule

· Capable of carrying baggage

· Providing a meaningful connection (in terms of coordinated stop locations, schedules, and information) to the national system of intercity bus transportation.

Commuter, local transit shuttle, charter, and tour services are strictly ineligible for Section 5311(f) operating assistance under this solicitation.

Intercity service is not defined by the type of vehicle used (except for the requirement to carry passengers and baggage). All vehicles used to provide services for the proposed routes must be fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant[footnoteRef:2]. The size and capacity of the vehicle used should support the expected ridership, baggage, and ADA requirements. [2: Over-the-Road buses that meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 38, Subpart G (49 CFR 38.151 et seq.) will be considered accessible. If intercity services are operated by a public entity or under contract to a public entity, they must be compliant with both 49 CFR Part 38.23 and Subpart G of Part 38.]

UDOT requires that all services provided under this program offer users meaningful connections with the national intercity bus network, including interline (joint) ticketing and service connections that are shown in the public timetables for the services. Connections to local public transit, passenger rail, and air travel are strongly encouraged. All carriers that offer direct service or as an interline partner offer service to points that cross state lines must comply and be in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In addition, carriers must be in full compliance with motor carrier safety and vehicle registration regulations.

For the purpose of this RFP, a “meaningful connection” consists of:

1. A scheduled transfer window of no more than 2 hours (preferably within 90 minutes) between subsidized feeder routes and connecting national network carriers.. If a rider from the subsidized service exits at the shared stop that will grant access/transfer to the national intercity network, then the rider should not be required to wait for more than two hours to make that connection. The same concept applies to riders exiting the unsubsidized service, wanting to connect to the subsidized service.

2. Connecting stops must be physically co-located at the same terminal/shelter facility (e.g., Salt Lake Intermodal Center) to ensure safe passenger transfers without crossing active major roadways.

3. Easily accessible and identifiable schedule information: Each participating operator must update and maintain public schedules (brochures, websites) and establish/maintain an active General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) and GTFS-Realtime feed published on Google Transit to ensure seamless digital connection visibility across transit planning platforms.

IV. MANDATORY MINIMUMS

Offerors must currently meet these mandatory minimums at the time of their response to the solicitation.

A. In-Kind Match Letter To qualify for up to 100% reimbursement of the net operating deficit, an Offeror may utilize eligible unsubsidized connecting intercity bus service as local in-kind match.

Offeror must provide in-kind match letter which may be provided directly by the Offeror (if the Offeror currently operates connecting unsubsidized intercity routes) OR through a formal match letter/agreement from a connecting partner intercity carrier.

Whether provided directly by the Offeror or by a connecting partner operator, the match documentation must explicitly verify the following:

1. 50% Valuation Threshold: Reimbursement of up to 100% of the net operating deficit is permitted ONLY IF the verified annual operating cost of the connecting unsubsidized service equals at least 50% of the net operating cost of the Section 5311(f) subsidized route. If the match value is less than 50%, federal reimbursement will be capped proportionally unless supplemental cash local match is provided.

2. Direct Connecting Route Requirement: The unsubsidized service offered as match MUST directly connect with the Section 5311(f) subsidized Utah route at a shared terminal junction (e.g., Salt Lake Intermodal Center) within a two-hour transfer window. Arbitrary routes from a broader national network that do not physically connect to the Utah route cannot be used.

3. Unsubsidized Mileage & Cost Basis: Itemization of the specific connecting route, total annual unsubsidized revenue miles operated, and annual operating costs allocated as project match.

4. Non-Duplication Certification: Explicit certification that the unsubsidized route mileage and operating costs offered as match are not being double-counted or committed as in-kind match in any other state or for any other FTA grant.

5. Match Documentation: If the match is provided by a partner carrier, the proposal must include an official In-Kind Match Letter signed by an authorized corporate officer of that carrier. If provided by the Offeror, the proposal must include a certified self-declaration letter of the Offeror's unsubsidized route costs.

B. Interline Ticketing and Information Offerors must have sponsored membership in the National Bus Traffic Association (NBTA) revenue clearinghouse to enable single-ticket, multi-carrier sales across the national network.

Offerors must be interline partners on the national intercity bus network. An interline partner is able to sell tickets that allow a passenger to buy a single ticket that provides travel through two or more different bus companies. The National Bus Traffic Association (NBTA) clearinghouse allows the numerous firms that provide transportation on a particular ticket to collect their proportionate share of the revenue based on the part of the trip that particular carrier provided. More information on this can be found at: http://www.bustraffic.org/. Participation in the NBTA revenue clearinghouse is possible at minimum cost for firms and public transit agencies providing rural intercity service as a sponsored member. Contact NBTA for more information.

Offeror must submit documentation showing the interlining requirement is met.

C. Vehicles All vehicles assigned to Section 5311(f) service must be owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the Offeror. Vehicles must meet the following mandatory specifications and operational guidelines:

1. ADA Compliance & Basic Amenities: Vehicles must be 100% ADA-compliant with an operational wheelchair lift or ramp, securement locations, climate control (HVAC), luggage bays, and optional Wi-Fi capability and front bike racks.

2. Camera Surveillance System: Vehicles must be equipped with an operational multi-channel digital camera surveillance system (covering interior passenger areas, driver area, and forward-facing/exterior views) with continuous recording storage for passenger safety, security, and incident investigation.

3. Restroom Amenity Standard: For continuous route segments exceeding two (2) hours in length (applying to all runs on the Blanding and Vernal corridors), vehicles must be equipped with an operational on-board lavatory, or the contractor must provide pre-approved, ADA-accessible restroom stops along the route. (Note: Under 49 CFR Part 37, if an onboard restroom is not present or is not wheelchair-accessible, scheduled comfort stops must be fully ADA-accessible)

4. Fleet Age & Mileage Guidelines: To ensure passenger comfort, vehicle reliability, and minimal service disruptions on long rural corridors, UDOT recommends aligning fleet standards with peer state best practices capping over-the-road motorcoaches at 7 years / 250,000 miles and body-on-chassis cutaways at 3 years / 125,000 miles.

UDOT fleet Liability Disclaimer: UDOT assumes no financial, title, purchase, or lease liability for contractor fleet vehicles upon contract expiration or early termination. The size and capacity of the vehicle used must support expected ridership, baggage, and ADA requirements. If ticket sales approach maximum vehicle capacity, Offerors should allow UDOT the option to add supplementary vehicle(s) with added capacity to the trip. Changes to the structure and operation of a route should be examined for compliance with the intent of this contract. The decision to add supplementary vehicles will be made at UDOT’s discretion. Supplementary vehicles must adhere to the service schedule while supporting baggage and ADA requirements. Reimbursement for authorized supplementary vehicle miles will be billed at the awarded per-mile rate (net of additional farebox revenue collected).

Offeror must submit vehicle plan with proposal.

D. Technology Offerors must maintain, update, and share General Transit Feed Specification – Real Time (GTFS Realtime) with UDOT and must register in Google Transit at http://google.com/transit, providing schedule information in the required format and updating this information as schedule changes occur. Offerors are responsible for ordering equipment, and for its installation, maintenance, and replacement. All costs associated with equipment should be included in monthly invoicing. All back-up and supplementary vehicles should be equipped with this technology.

Offerors must have a system in place for notifying ticket purchasers directly in the event of an emergency service cancellation.

Offerors must submit compliance documentation as per Section N.

E. Vehicle Signage & Branding (Exterior & Interior) As mandated by federal Title VI and ADA regulations, UDOT requires Offerors to post on-board notices. These notices will be provided by UDOT and must be posted clearly and visibly in all vehicles at all times, including any back-up or supplementary vehicles.

Offeror must submit these documents with proposal and updated periodically, and all updated documents provided by UDOT shall replace existing documentation on all vehicles.

All vehicles assigned to service under this contract must meet the following exterior branding, interior notice, and customer information standards:

1. Exterior Vehicle Identification: All primary, back-up, and supplementary vehicles must be clearly marked on the exterior as providing “Intercity Bus Service” (via vehicle decals, magnetic side-signage, or electronic destination sign headers) to ensure clear public identification at shared transit hubs and rural flag stops.

2. UDOT-Provided Federal & State Notices: Offerors must visibly post all official notices provided by UDOT, including Title VI Nondiscrimination notices, ADA rights postings, and complaint procedures.

3. Service Usage Instructions & Translation Access: Offerors must post clear notices and instructions on how to use the intercity bus service visibly in all vehicles. Additionally, the Offeror must provide readily available contact information and directions for passengers needing language/translation assistance services.

4. Required On-Board Amenities & Interior Signage: All vehicles must feature the following physical postings and holders:

· Timetable Holder: A dedicated, easily accessible timetable holder stocked at all times with current printed schedules.

· No Smoking Signage: Clearly posted signs stating that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on board.

· Priority Seating Designation: Signs clearly marking priority seating areas reserved for elderly passengers and individuals with disabilities.

F. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Intercity service Offerors crossing State lines are required to be in compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Also, Offerors of intrastate service that interline with services to provide interstate trips must meet FMCSA regulations. More information can be found at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/.

Offerors must hold active USDOT and FMCSA Motor Carrier (MC) passenger operating authority (or provide proof of application to obtain authority prior to service start) and maintain a "Satisfactory" safety rating.

Offerors must submit a certified 2-year safety/accident history statement with their proposal and maintain current annual FMCSA vehicle inspection reports for all deployed vehicles, making them available to UDOT upon request.

G. Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedures Offerors must maintain an active Drug and Alcohol Testing Program that complies with FTA regulations (49 CFR Part 655) and U.S. DOT testing procedures (49 CFR Part 40) for all safety-sensitive employees assigned to this Section 5311(f) service.

FTA – Assisted Grantees: Offerors who receive FTA financial assistance which supports the majority of their overall operations, please submit an approved FTA Drug Free Workplace Policy and an approved Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy (https://www.transit.dot.gov/drug-alcohol-program).

Private For-Profit Carriers (FMCSA-Regulated): For Offerors who are private-for-profit carriers that already report to FMCSA, please submit proof of an approved and active FMCSA Drug and Alcohol policy (49 CFR Part 382). Refer to FMCSA website: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing-program for more information). Important: If awarded a contract the selected carrier must update its policy to incorporate FTA Part 655 provision prior to service initiation.

Offerors must submit a Drug & Alcohol Policy (FMCSA & FTA 655 Transition Commitment) signed PDF Policy Document.

H. Pre-Service & Ongoing Requirements:

Offeror must submit its FTA-compliant policy to UDOT, initiate required testing, establish reporting protocols, and submit annual Management Information System (MIS) reports as required by FTA. National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting.

Offerors are required to report 5311(f) intercity bus program activities annually to the National Transit Administration’s National Transit Database (NTD) https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd. The annual reporting period covers the state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The complete and verified NTD data must be submitted to UDOT no later than September 15th. Submissions must include total federal grant funding expended, annual vehicle revenue-miles, regular unlinked passenger trips, and passenger-miles traveled.

I. Americans with Disabilities Act Offerors must comply with federal accessibility mandates under 49 CFR Part 27 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Federally Assisted Programs) and 49 CFR Part 37 (Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities). All primary, back-up, and supplementary vehicles assigned to service must be 100% wheelchair-accessible (equipped with operational lifts/ramps and securement systems), and all drivers/operators must be trained to proficiency in operating accessibility features and assisting passengers with disabilities.

Offerors must submit compliance documentation as per Section N.

J. Title VI Requirements All intercity bus service supported by federal Section 5311(f) funds must be in full compliance with UDOTs Title VI plan (UDOT Title VI Plan - Transit) which prohibits the inequitable treatment of persons as a result of projects which are undertaken with federal financial assistance.

As mandated by federal regulations, the contractor must post physical Title VI nondiscrimination notices and complaint procedures clearly in all primary, back-up, and supplementary vehicles. These notices will be provided directly by UDOT and must replace any outdated notices as updates are issued.

The Offeror must ensure equal service access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations along the corridor by providing available translation services, bilingual route/schedule information and accessible customer support.

Offerors must submit a UDOT Title VI & LEP Non-Discrimination Acknowledgment signed PDF assurance.

K. Section 5333(b) Special Warranty for Labor Protection Under 49 U.S.C. § 5333(b) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines, all Section 5311 operational projects, including intercity bus (5311(f)) operating projects, require formal agreement to the terms and conditions of the standard U.S. DOL Section 5333(b) Special Warranty for the Section 5311 program.

Execution of the Special Warranty is a mandatory condition of contract award, and the Offeror must ensure these federal labor protection provisions are included in any lower-tier subcontracts involving public transit operations.

Offeror must sign, acknowledge, and submit the FTA Federal Clauses included in this procurement as verification of compliance.

L. Pre-Trip Inspection and Vehicle Maintenance Records Offerors will be required to maintain appropriate vehicle maintenance and pre-trip inspection records. UDOT may conduct a site visit to review such records. The purpose of the site visit is to ensure appropriate recordkeeping and to inspect the fleet used in these services.

Offeror shall submit pre-trip checklists and maintenance plan.

M. Compliance with All Federal and State Requirements Offerors must comply with all Federal and State requirements pertaining to the 5311 program.

Offeror must sign, acknowledge, and submit the FTA Federal Clauses included in this procurement as verification of compliance.

N. Required Tasks before Service Initiation Before service initiation, the selected Offeror shall comply with the tasks summarized below.

· Finalize schedule and stops, including arrangements with commission agents or those in control of unstaffed stops.

· Develop communication procedures and contacts with transportation partners, including connecting intercity bus carriers, other intercity bus providers, Amtrak (if applicable), local transit operators in the service area, and any other public or private providers;

· Obtain sponsored membership in the National Bus Traffic Association or similar, and make alternative arrangements before service begins, to interline successfully with the national intercity bus network;

· Work with connecting carriers to be included in their ticketing and payment systems.

· Must document FMCSA authority as an interstate carrier as required to be able to sell or accept interline (interstate) tickets;

· Document that all vehicles to be used on these services are fully ADA compliant, including all wheelchair accessibility features, and that staff are trained to proficiency in the use of these features;

· Provide vehicle inventory to UDOT for proposed route(s).

· Vehicles to have General Transit Feed Specification – Real Time (GTFS Realtime). Publish active GTFS feed to Google Transit and share GTFS-RT feed with UDOT at least 15 days prior to launch (mandatory prior to release of the 1st monthly reimbursement payment).

· Provide updated Drug and Alcohol Policy to UDOT, initiate testing, and set up reporting protocol.

Offeror must list the following statement in its proposal, in this section: “Proposer acknowledges the requirements listed in this section and shall complete them if selected as the Apparent Successful Proposer.

V. SCOPE OF SERVICES

UDOT is seeking Offerors to provide intercity bus service for the two separate corridors. The solicited route corridors will have termini as described:

1. U.S. Route 191 & 6 corridor beginning/terminating in from Blanding, continuing to Green River via Monticello and Moab, with connections to Provo and beginning/terminating at the Salt Lake City intermodal center

2. U.S. Route 40 corridor beginning/terminating in from Vernal, continuing to Heber City via Roosevelt and Myton, with connections beginning/terminating at the Salt Lake City intermodal center Full detail on the proposed service(s) should be provided separately for each project. The Offeror should clearly note the route(s) they are submitting and all information should be organized with a separate section for each route.

UDOT is seeking turnkey intercity bus services, in which the Offeror will provide the following:

· All vehicles and equipment

· Sufficient staffing to provide daily operation of the services

· Regularly scheduled, year-round service on the proposed intercity route(s)

· Obtain all required permits and authority (as necessary)

· Required insurance

· Conduct appropriate maintenance and retain records

· Enter into agreements with other carriers as required to support the use of interline ticketing and connections to the national intercity bus system.

· Obtain access to private or public intermodal terminals of connecting services

· Obtain access to and enter into agreements with private property owners when necessary

· Obtain access to and enter into agreements with local jurisdictions when necessary

A. Route Outline Offerors are encouraged to propose detailed route maps and example timetables, based on their experience in operating intercity bus services, local knowledge of the corridors, and the need to provide connectivity to the national intercity bus network (see Route and Schedule Worksheet included in Appendix A: Worksheet 6A).

Offerors can describe their proposed service by including specific information such as:

· A route map showing proposed stop locations;

· Local area maps and/or satellite imagery (e.g. Google Street View screenshots) depicting proposed stop locations;

· Details regarding the frequency of service; and

· A timetable presenting the proposed schedule (including scheduled arrival/departure times for connecting services, where applicable);

· A sample fare schedule.

B. Anticipated Stops To provide connectivity, each route should connect with the national intercity bus network where possible. Connections to local public transit service, passenger rail, and air travel are strongly encouraged. (see Route and Schedule Worksheet included in Appendix A: Worksheet 6A) Offerors must complete and maintain a standardized Stop Inventory Matrix for each route, detailing address, building owner/agent contact, ADA accessibility features, lighting/shelter and passenger amenities, and connecting local transit options. Offerors are encouraged to meet with localities and organizations where stops are proposed and submit documentation of the meetings and the input received. Potential local contacts include the following:

· Local public transit operators;

· Local Chambers of Commerce;

· Universities and Colleges;

· Association of Governments (AOGs); and

· Private property owners and property management staff.

C. Schedule Offerors should propose timetables that provide scheduled connectivity to and from other intercity bus services linking the region with the national intercity bus network (see Route and Schedule Worksheet included in Appendix A: Worksheet 6A). Offerors must propose operations during reasonable hours of day, no late night/early morning service.

Meaningful connections to the national intercity bus network are critical to the operation of these routes as the FTA allows the local portion of the funding for unsubsidized intercity bus routes to be provided through an in-kind mileage match. Offerors should consider a meaningful connection to be scheduled opportunities for riders to transfer to connecting intercity bus services within a two-hour window. Offerors may propose schedules in this corridor based on their experience in operating intercity bus services, and local knowledge of the market and the corridor and the need to provide connectivity to the national intercity bus network.

D. Fare Structure & Passenger Revenues Offerors are responsible for proposing a competitive, distance-based fare structure along the corridor. Proposed fares must balance passenger affordability with the goal of achieving at least a 10% farebox recovery ratio as outlined in the 2024 Intercity Bus Study. All ticket revenues collected by the offeror will be deducted from gross operating costs on monthly invoices. Offerors must include a complete sample fare table (origin-destination matrix) with their proposal submittal.

E. Frequency A minimum of one round-trip per day, seven days-a-week is required. Service must be year-round and include service on holidays.

F. Estimated Ridership Offerors should provide ridership and farebox revenue estimates. Note that it is anticipated that ridership will take time to develop, and that ridership in the first year of service could be lower than ridership in the second year of service. Reimbursement will be based on the bid cost-per-mile rate for actual miles operated, minus actual monthly farebox revenues collected by the operator.

VI. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A. Performance Expectations and Requirements

1. On-Time Performance (OTP): Minimum 90% monthly target (defined as arrival/departure within 15 minutes of published schedule).The on-time performance of this service shall be monitored. It is expected that the Offeror(s) will be able to meet all scheduled departure times except in cases of emergency, inclement weather, or the need to hold for late connections. Failure to meet schedules due to maintenance or dispatch problems or equipment failure that are the responsibility of the Offeror will be considered a failure to perform and will result in appropriate adjustments to invoices and may result in additional actions by UDOT to ensure satisfactory service for the citizens of Utah.

2. 2024 Study Standards/Benchmarks: Routes will be evaluated annually against the performance standards established in the 2024 UDOT Study: minimum 10% farebox recovery, maximum $250 subsidy per passenger, and minimum .5 boardings per revenue hour.

Note on Performance Benchmarks: The performance benchmarks derived from the 2024 Utah Intercity Bus Study represent annual program evaluation targets used by UDOT to monitor overall corridor health and guide multi-year service planning. UDOT recognizes that passenger ridership requires time to develop over the 2-year contract term. Failure to meet these specific ridership benchmarks will not result in immediate financial penalties, provided the contractor operates all scheduled service reliably, maintains active marketing outreach, and fulfills all operational and reporting obligations.

B. Passenger Emergency & Service Disruption Contingency Plan The Offeror must submit a formal emergency contingency plan covering severe weather, road closures, and vehicle mechanical breakdowns. For extended delays or missed connections resulting from contractor equipment failure, the contractor is responsible for providing passengers with food vouchers and overnight hotel accommodation.

C. Marketing & Public Information Plan The Offeror is responsible for actively promoting the intercity bus service to maximize ridership, route awareness, and public access. The Offeror must develop and execute a localized marketing plan that includes corridor advertising (newspaper, local radio, social media, and community flyers), press releases, and timetable distribution to key transit hubs, medical centers, and higher education institutions along the route(s).

D. Reporting & Data Sharing In addition to the GTFS and real time tracking capabilities detailed above, UDOT requires Offerors to share various data used for performance monitoring and operations management. The lists below identify the data and reporting frequency required by UDOT from the Offerors:

Monthly reporting (due to UDOT within 3 business days of the last day of each month)

· Ridership by origin and destination (with the ability to view by date, direction, and trip)

· Boardings and alightings itemized by individual bus stop location

· Total monthly passenger miles and unlinked passenger trips

· Wheelchair lift/ramp deployment counts per route

· Ticket sales by origin and destination including ticket cost (with the ability to view by date, direction, and trip)

· In-kind mileage report (details the number of unsubsidized interlining intercity bus trips available, and their trip length in miles)

· On-time performance (details the actual arrival and departure times for each bus, ability to view by day of the week, date, stop, direction, and trip) As requested by UDOT:

· Ticket sales by origin and destination including ticket cost (with the ability to view by date, direction, and trip)

· Ticket availability/vehicle capacity remaining

· Ticket purchaser email address list (by date, direction, and trip)

E. On-Board Surveys UDOT may periodically conduct on-board surveys of riders. These surveys may be paper or electronic and will be provided by UDOT. Offerors must present the survey to riders and collect and mail completed paper surveys to UDOT. All costs associated with mailing surveys shall be included in monthly invoicing.

VII. ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Eligible operating expenses for the intercity program will be based on a fully-allocated cost per revenue mile (see Appendix B). Eligible expenses include items such as fuel, oil, replacement tires, replacement parts, maintenance and repairs, driver and mechanic salaries and fringe benefits, dispatcher salaries and fringe benefits, and licenses. It can also include administrative expenses, including items such as transit manager’s salary, secretary and bookkeeper salaries, marketing expenses, office supplies, vehicle insurance, and facility and equipment rental. All of these expenses are to be included in the fully-allocated cost per revenue mile, without showing separate line items. In addition, the fully-allocated cost per revenue mile can include depreciation and profit, as it is intended to be an all-inclusive rate per revenue mile.

The project in-kind match and subsequent project reimbursement cannot be used for vehicle procurement as capital expenditures; therefore, any capital must be supplied, purchased, or leased by the Offeror. UDOT is not responsible for the title of any vehicles purchased or leased for the purposes of supplying the contract services herein. UDOT is not liable and does not bear the burden of lease, or purchase agreements, for vehicles at the end of the contract period, or if circumstances arise that require contract termination.

Net operating expenses are those expenses that remain after operating revenues are subtracted from eligible operating expenses. At a minimum, operating revenues must include farebox revenues, but may also include revenue from bus package express, bus ticket sale commissions, or advertising on the vehicle. Operating revenues are all revenues accrued to the benefit of the project including farebox revenue (passenger fares) and contract revenues. Farebox revenues include fares paid by passengers who are later reimbursed by a human service agency, or other user-side subsidy arrangements, but do not include payments made directly to the transit provider by human service agencies.

VIII. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Proposal The selection panel is composed of UDOT employees from varying Departments and Bureaus and in some cases external Stakeholders. The panel members may or may not be familiar with your company. With that in mind, it is important to provide detailed information regarding the evaluation criteria listed below (see Appendix A for Specific questions to be utilized for evaluation).

1. Offerors Information and Key Personnel

2. Experience/Past Performance (This section will be evaluated and rated at twice the weight of the other sections)

3. Financial Status and Insurance

4. Management Plan (This section will be evaluated and rated at twice the weight of the other sections)

5. Maintenance, Safety and Emergency Response

6. Description of Proposed Service

B. Cost Proposal (Appendix B) In addition to the technical narrative criteria above, Offerors must also submit a completed financial matrix on Appendix B (Proposed Budget and Cost Per Mile) for each proposed route. Cost evaluation points will be calculated using the following comparative formula:

Offeror's Cost Points = Max Cost Points x

· Evaluation Basis: Cost scoring is based on the average proposed gross cost per mile across the two (2) contract years submitted on Appendix B.

· Contract Award & Invoicing: Contracts will be awarded based on the offeror's bid rate per mile. Monthly reimbursements will be paid on actual net operating expenses (actual gross miles operated multiplied by the awarded cost per mile rate, minus actual monthly passenger fares collected).

Scope of Work and Response Requirements Page 2 of 2