GCS FY 2026 QA.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 33 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Transit-General Consulting Services
- Solicitation number
- BD-26-1030-0T100-0T100-120150
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) file for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Rail and Transit Division's General Consulting Services Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation BD-26-1030-0T100-0T100-120150. The procurement seeks professional consulting services through a task order-based contract with an initial five-year term and potential five one-year renewals, with an anticipated start date of December 15, 2025. Proposals are due by November 3, 2025, after a granted extension. The contract will support RTD in providing technical assistance, strategic planning, project management, mobility management, data collection, procurement support, compliance assistance, and new technology implementation for transit agencies across Massachusetts.
The contract will be structured as a rate-based agreement with compensation determined by fully loaded hourly billing rates for proposed staff titles. Multiple firms will be selected to ensure flexibility and comprehensive technical expertise across service categories. Initially, an 11% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal was proposed, but this requirement has been recently removed due to a federal ruling. The procurement will follow a qualifications-based selection methodology, evaluating proposals on project understanding, firm qualifications, staffing plans, project management capabilities, and past performance. Proposers may submit specialized proposals focusing on specific service areas, and competition for future task orders will be limited to firms demonstrating relevant qualifications in those specific service areas.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DBE_Tracking_Form_for_Invoicing.docx | DOCX document | |
| promptpayform.pdf | ||
| Addendum 1 Proposal Submission Clarification.doc | DOC document | |
| business-reference-form~2.doc | DOC document | |
| Contractor_Signatory.doc | DOC document | |
| EFT Form~71.pdf | ||
| FTA Certifications and Clauses Exhibit.pdf | ||
| Transit GCS RFP FY26~1.pdf | ||
| Bidders Conflict of Interest Form~3.docx | DOCX document | |
| Addenda Acknowledgement Form ~2.docx | DOCX document | |
| AFFIDAVIT OF NON-COLLUSION.docx | DOCX document | |
| DBE_Letter_of_Intent~3.docx | DOCX document | |
| MASSDOT STANDARD CONTRACT FORM.doc | DOC document | |
| Quarterly Progress Report GCS.docx | DOCX document | |
| RFP Transit Consultant_Hourly_Rate_Form.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| w9.doc | DOC document | |
| Transit GCS RFP final.pdf | ||
| Transit GCS RFP revised.pdf | ||
| DBE_Schedule_of_Participation~3.docx | DOCX document | |
| Executive Order 515.docx | DOCX document | |
| MassDOT_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf | ||
| Addendum 2 GCS RFP Calendar Revised.pdf |
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Q&A
| Transit-RFP General Consulting Services |
| Bid BD-26-1030-0T100-0T100-120150 |
| User Created | Question Subject | Questions | Answers |
| MICHAEL KIYAGA/MK ACCOUNTING FIRM LLC | Contract Term and Renewal Options | Can you clarify the expected initial contract term for this engagement, and whether any renewal or extension options will be available to the awarded vendor? | See Section 1.9 |
| MICHAEL KIYAGA/MK ACCOUNTING FIRM LLC | Evaluation Criteria �?? Cost vs. Qualifications | Could you please confirm how the proposals will be evaluated? Specifically, will cost and vendor qualifications be weighted equally, or is one factor prioritized over the other in the scoring process? | See Section 17 of the RFP, which outlines the evaluation criteria and scoring process in detail |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Cost Proposal | 1. Section 9.3 of the RFP states that the cost proposal shall include �??shall include consultant name, title/role, hourly rate fully loaded.�?? However, Section 1.10 states that the �??agreement shall be based on fully loaded hourly billing rate for all proposed staff titles. Consultant must submit a detailed rate schedule with their proposal that provides fully loaded hourly rate by staff title. The Consultant Hourly Rate form also contains a line only for �??staff function�?? rather than staff name. Can MassDOT clarify whether bidders may propose rates by staff categories/titles rather than names, since this is potentially a 10-year on-call and staff needs may be uncertain? Alternatively, if MassDOT would like to see names of key staff listed, would it be permissible to provide rates by category/title for non-key staff? | Yes, the rates must be fully loaded. please provide rates by staff categories/titles instead. |
During the contracting period, when individual task orders are issued, we will request the specific staff names assigned to those tasks at that time
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Cost Proposal | 2. The Consultant Hourly Rate form only contains columns through Year 7 �?? should bidders modify the spreadsheet to cover Years 8-10? | Rates should be for the five (5) base years. A BAFO will be requested from the vendor selected vendors prior to the execution of each option year. |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Cost Proposal | 3. Section 1.3.1 states that miscellaneous and out-of-pocket costs will be negotiated for each task order. However, the cost proposal instructions elsewhere and in the Consultant Hourly Rate form suggest that direct expenses must be included in the proposed rates themselves. Can MassDOT clarify whether direct expenses such as travel, meals, and other specific purchases should be included in the fully loaded rates or if these types of direct expenses will be negotiated on a task order by task order basis? | The rates must be fully loaded. please provide rates by staff categories/titles instead. |
During the contracting period, when individual task orders are issued, we will request the specific staff names assigned to those tasks at that time
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Cost Proposal | Will MassDOT consider allowing bidders to propose an escalation factor of greater than 3%? | See Section 9.3 | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Additional Attachments | 5. Section 9.4 states in part that �??The additional attachments are required to be submitted with your RFP response; however, you are required to adhere to all clauses and terms and conditions. Additional attachments will be incorporated during contract execution, should your bid be selected.�?? �?� MassDOT Standard Contract Form �?� MassDOT Terms and Conditions �?� Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment (EFT) �?� Verification of Tax Reporting Information (W-9) (Required form unless already on file with the Comptroller. If on file, please state in proposal) �?� Prompt Pay Discount Form �?� Authorized Signatory Listing Form However, other sections (such as 11.1.10 �?? 11.1.15) states that many of these forms should be submitted only after contract award. We assume these documents would be signed and submitted after contract award. Can MassDOT confirm that the language in Section 9.4 is an error? | See Section 9.4 | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | RFP Checklist | 6. The RFP refers in multiple places to an RFP Checklist that must be submitted with the proposal. However, it does not appear to be included with the RFP documents. Can MassDOT provide a copy of this Checklist? | Disregard the checklist. No checklist has been provided, and bidders are not required to complete or submit a checklist with their proposal. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | RFP Checklist | 7. Section 10.1 states that the RFP Checklist must be submitted with the bid. However, in Section 9.4 it is not listed as one of the documents to be submitted with the proposal. Can MassDOT clarify whether the RFP Checklist must be included in the submittal or not? | Disregard the checklist. No checklist has been provided, and bidders are not required to complete or submit a checklist with their proposal. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Prompt Payment Discount Form | 8. Please clarify whether the prompt payment discount form must be submitted with the proposal, or after contract award. | See Section 9.4 | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Terms and Conditions | 9. Please clarify whether the MassDOT Standard Contract Form and MassDOT Terms and Conditions must be submitted with the proposal, or after contract award. Sections 11.1.10 �?? 11.1.15 suggest these would be submitted after contract award, but there is language on page 38 suggesting that they may be required as part of the bid. | See Section 9.4 | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Certification Regarding Debarment | 10. The RFP requires that �??A Certification of Lower-Tier Participants Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusions shall be submitted by the Proposer to RTD for each listed sub-Consultant prior to contract award.�?? However, Section 9.14 also states that this form must be included in the proposal. Can MassDOT clarify whether this form must be submitted with the proposal, or after contract award? | The form is not required with the proposal. It will be required prior to contract award for each listed subconsultan | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Certifications Question | 11. While there is a prime Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusions included within the FTA Certifications and Clauses exhibit, there is no Lower-Tier Participant form. Can MassDOT provide a copy of the Lower-Tier Participant version of the Certification? | Yes. MassDOT will provide the Lower-Tier Participant Certification form to the selected consultant prior to contract award. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Insurance Limits | 12. The $5,000,000 limits required for privacy/security liability and umbrella liability, as well as the $2,000,000 limits for professional liability, may be difficult for small businesses, individuals, and disadvantaged businesses to meet, given the expense associated with such limits. Given the goal to maximize opportunities for participation for small and disadvantaged businesses, will MassDOT consider waiving certain coverage types or limits requirements for subs who are DBEs, individuals, or small businesses? | No. The insurance requirements listed in the RFP apply to the prime consultant. All required insurance must be provided by the prime, not by subconsultants. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Cyber Liability Policy | 13. Please confirm that a Cyber Liability policy may be used to satisfy the requirements for Privacy and Security Liability provided that the Cyber Liability policy provides equivalent coverages. | Yes. Both are the same. The name is used interchangeably but the coverage is the same. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Certificate of Insurance | 14. Section 11.1.5 requires proposers to submit a certificate of insurance with the proposal. Please confirm that a sample certificate will be acceptable so long as it shows evidence of all required coverages and limits. Typically, we would not generate an actual certificate containing all necessary endorsements and project-specific references until after contract award. | Yes. A sample certificate of insurance is acceptable with the proposal, provided it demonstrates all required coverages and limits. Final certificates with all necessary endorsements and project-specific details will be required after contract award. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | UFR efiling | 15. There is a requirement on page 37 of the RFP titled �??Filing Requirements�?? stating �??Successful bidders must have filed their Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (UFR), as required for current Consultants, with the Operational Services Division via the Internet using the UFR eFiling application for the most recently completed fiscal year before a contract can be executed and services may begin.�?? It is required for �??POS Only�?? and not required for non-POS bidders. Please clarify what POS stands for and whether these Filing Requirements are applicable for this bid. | POS stands for Purchase of Service. These filing requirements apply only to Purchase of Service contracts and are not applicable to this solicitation. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | TAG | 16. Section 3.10.4 on page 27 contains a requirement for a �??MassDOT Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to meet early in the contract �??to review and approve any variances to MassDOT standards. The TAG must review the proposed architecture and configuration, and technical infrastructure, security and architecture related documentation provided as part of the Bidder response to this RFP prior to any implementation of the COTS solution.�?? We assume this would be required only for software or hosting-related services. Can MassDOT confirm? | Yes. The TAG review requirement applies only to software or hosting-related services involving technical architecture, configuration, or security infrastructure. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Risk Assessment | 17. Section 3.10.4 of page 27 requires the selected bidder to �??participate in a risk assessment with MassDOT�??s Third-Party Risk Management program.�?? Cam MassDOT clarify what is involved in this risk assessment? | The Third-Party Risk Management risk assessment involves a review of the vendor’s information security, data protection, and privacy controls to ensure compliance with MassDOT and Commonwealth IT security standards. The assessment typically includes a questionnaire and documentation review and, if necessary, a follow-up discussion or verification with the vendor. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Hard Copy Requirement | 18. Section 9.5 requires one hard copy of the proposal to be submitted in a 3-ring binder. Will MassDOT consider removing this requirement? | No. MassDOT will retain the requirement for one hard copy submission in a 3-ring binder as stated in the RFP. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Duplicative of Information | 19. Sections 12.5.6 through 24 on pages 40-73 appear to be duplicative of information on prior pages of the RFP. Can MassDOT confirm that these sections are duplicative? Can MassDOT also confirm whether the RFP document from pages 1-40 contains all applicable requirements and other terms? | Yes. The RFP has been revised to remove duplicative sections. A revised copy will be posted in COMMBUYS. | |
| Holly Delants/Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. | Bid Proposal Submission Deadline Extension Request | Our team became aware of this solicitation just this week and as such request a two-week extension to the bid proposal submission deadline. We are requesting the deadline be extended until 11-3-2025 in order to satisfy all the requirements of the RFP and to ensure a quality and competitive proposal. Thank you in advance for your consideration. | Yes. MassDOT has granted an extension. The proposal submission deadline is now November 3, 2025. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Forms to be submitted | Could MassDOT clarify which forms need to be submitted by the Prime only with the RFP response? | See section 9.4 | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Forms to be submitted | Could MassDOT clarify which forms and certifications need to be filled-out and submitted by the Subconsultants or all members of the team? | All required forms and certifications must be completed and submitted by the prime consultant. Subconsultants are only required to submit forms specifically identified for subconsultants, such as the Lower-Tier Participant Debarment and Suspension Certification, DBE documentation, | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Forms to be submitted | For this On-Call some or most of the teams will have a large number of subs between 10 or more subconsultants. Gathering hard copy forms from the subs with Ink Signatures will be a big effort, specially since it's not clear which ones are required to be submitted by them at this point and the Q&A will be released on 10/7 close to the Submission deadline, and these forms will need to be filled-out, hard signed and mailed to the Prime. If there are any errors, correcting them on time and repeating the mailing process would be challenging. Could MassDOT confirm if these forms would need INK signatures and original copies, or if electronic sigatures for the subconsultant forms would be accepted? | No, MassDOT does not require original ink signatures. Electronic signatures are acceptable via DocuSign | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Business References | Are the 3 business references letter or form required also for each subcontractor? | Yes. Each subcontractor is required to provide three business reference letters as part of the submission. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Copy of Insurance | Is a copy of insurance required to be submitted by each subconsultant? | No. The insurance requirements listed in the RFP apply to the prime consultant. All required insurance must be provided by the prime, not by subconsultants. | It's best practice for the Prime to collect he insurance from the sub-vendor for their records. |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Business References | In the RFP, a business reference form is mentioned, but it's not attached to the RFP nor to tehdocuments in COMMBUYS. Is this business reference an actual form that needs to be submitted, or a letter from the client in their agency's letterhead? | Yes, the Business Reference Form is required and is attached and available in COMMBUYS. | |
| Virginia Boyd/Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services, LLC | �??In order for MassDOT to acquire the services of the best contractor/consultant for each individual scope element/area mentioned in the RFP, will MassDOT permit respondents to address specific scope elements as opposed to the entire scope? | Yes. Respondents may submit proposals addressing specific scope elements or areas rather than the entire scope of services. | ||
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | DBE Letter of Intent Form | Our team has several DBEs on the team and although we are confident that we will meet or exceed the DBE goal stablished of 11%, we do not know exactly the percentage each of them individually will get because each Task Order will be different. Could our DBEs be allowed to place "TBD" on the DBE Letter of Intent in the Amount Column of the second page? | No. Per the recent federal ruling, the DBE goal requirement has been removed for this project. MassDOT is no longer applying the 11% DBE goal, and the DBE Letter of Intent is not required for this solicitation. | Is this final? |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Business References | Do the Business references need to original inked signed letters mailed to us, or could MassDOT consider a scanned copy from the client? | The Business Reference Form must be completed with all required information. If a letter is provided instead, it must be on the company’s official letterhead and include complete contact information. The Business Reference Form is provided in COMMBUYS. Scanned copies are acceptable; original ink-signed letters are not required. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Business References | Since the mentioned Business Reference form is missing, could MassDOT allow for this to be a letter from the client in their own letterhead? | The Business Reference Form must be completed with all required information. If a letter is provided instead, it must be on the company’s official letterhead and include complete contact information. The Business Reference Form is provided in COMMBUYS. Scanned copies are acceptable; original ink-signed letters are not required. | |
| Brad Wright/Cambridge-Systematics, Inc. | Proposal due date | The Solicitation posting in COMMBUYS has a due date of 10/10/25 for this proposal. However, the RFP states the 10/20/25 as the due date. There seems to be an error in the Portal's solicitaion posting page. | MassDOT has granted an extension. The proposal submission deadline is now November 3, 2025. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Forms | RFR Page 22, 9.4 Required Forms �?? Bidder�??s Conflict of Interest Form. Please provide this form. | Yes. The Bidder’s Conflict of Interest Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Forms | RFR Page 22, 9.4 Required Forms �?? Business Reference Form. Please provide this form. | Yes. The Business Refernce Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Forms | RFR Page 22, 9.4 Required Forms �?? Addenda Acknowledgement Form. Please provide this form. | Yes. The Addenda Acknowledgement Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Forms | RFR Page 59, 21. To Be Submitted with Bid. RFP Submission Checklist/First Page of Consultant Response Form. Please provide this form. | Disregard the checklist. No checklist has been provided, and bidders are not required to complete or submit a checklist with their proposal. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Paper Size | RFR Page 20, 8. Proposal Format. Each RFP response must be typewritten in a clear typeface with a font size of 11 on standard 81/2�??x11�?? paper. Can organizational charts be formatted on 11�??x17�?? paper? | No. Please keep the format uniform throughout and submit all materials, including organizational charts, on 8½” x 11” paper. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Font | RFR Page 20, 8. Proposal Format. Each RFP response must be typewritten in a clear typeface with a font size of 11 on standard 81/2�??x11�?? paper. Can a smaller font be used for graphics, tables, and captions? | No. Please keep the format uniform throughout and submit all materials, including organizational charts, on 8½” x 11” paper. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | RFR Clarification | RFR Page 8, 1.4 Applicable Procurement Law, Federal Requirement: 49 CFR Part 23; 49 CFR Part 29. The hyperlink for 49 CFR Part 23; 49 CFR Part 29 on RFR page 8 appears to be inaccessible. Please confirm if the correct reference for 49 CFR Part 29 is eCFR 49 CFR Part 29 Tribal Transportation Self Governance Program. | The correct reference for 49 CFR Part 29 in this solicitation is 49 CFR Part 29 – Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), which establishes government-wide requirements for nonprocurement debarment and suspension. The Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program under Part 29 of the eCFR is not applicable to this RFR. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | Commbuys | RFR Page 10, 2. Estimated Procurement Calendar. The Deadline Bid Proposal Submission Forms and Bid Spreadsheet to COMMBUYS is 10/20/2025 at 2:00pm. On the Commbuys website, the Bid Opening Date is 10/10/2025 at 2:00pm. Please confirm that the due date for this submission is 10/20/2025 at 2:00pm, and that the Commbuys portal will accept bids until that date/time. | MassDOT Rail and Transit Division has granted an extension. The proposal submission deadline is now November 3, 2025. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | RFR Clarification | RFR Page 20, 8. Proposal Format. The tabs are labeled as: Tab 1-Introduction/Cover Letter; Tab 2-Proposal Submission; Tab 3-Cost Proposal. Section 20. RFR Page 21, 9. Instructions to Proposers. The tabs are labeled as: Tab 1-Introduction; Tab 2-Technical Proposal/Technical Specification; Tab 3-Price/Cost Proposal. Please confirm the naming convention for the tabs. | Tab 1 – Introduction/Cover Letter |
Tab 2 – Technical Proposal/Technical Specification Tab 3 – Price/Cost Proposal Please follow this format for consistency across all submissions.
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Page 34 of the RFP, under Bid Response Method, indicates that online submission is required to avoid the costs associated with paper bids. However, page 55, under 20.5 Administrative Requirements, states that one hard copy must be delivered. Could you please clarify whether submissions should be electronic, hard copy, or both? | Both are required. Proposers must submit their proposals electronically as instructed in the RFP and provide one hard copy delivered to MassDOT Rail and Transit Division by the submission deadline. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Could you please confirm whether the cover page, back page, table of contents, dividers, and cost proposal are included in the overall page limit? | No. The cover page, back page, table of contents, and dividers are not included in the overall page limit. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Pages 26 and 59 of the RFP state that Bidders must complete and submit the RFP Submission Checklist. Could you please clarify where to locate the RFP Submission Checklist/First Page of the Consultant Response Form? This item doesn�??t appear to be included in the solicitation package. | Disregard the checklist. No checklist has been provided, and bidders are not required to complete or submit a checklist with their proposal. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Could you kindly confirm whether the Consultant Hourly Rate Form is the only required submission for the Cost Proposal? The RFP states that Bidders must complete the Cost Proposal Form provided as an attachment, but no document by that name appears to be included. | Yes. Since this is a task order–based contract, the Consultant Hourly Rate Form serves as the Cost Proposal and is the only required cost submission. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Addenda Acknowledgement Form is listed as one of the required documents. Could you please confirm where this form can be found? | Yes. The Addenda Acknowledgement Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Business Reference form is listed as one of the required documents. Could you please confirm where this form can be found? | Yes. The Business Refernce Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Bidder�??s Conflict of Interest form is listed as one of the required documents. Could you please confirm where this form can be found? | Yes. The Bidder’s Conflict of Interest Form has been provided in COMMBUYS. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | Page 22 appears to indicate that the Prompt Payment Discount form is not required with the proposal and will instead be submitted by the successful firm(s) after award. However, page 26 lists it as a required submission with the bid. Could you please clarify whether this form must be included as part of our proposal? | See Section 9.4 | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | The RFP requests submission of the Certification of Primary Consultant Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters (p.58). However, this form does not appear to be included in the submission package. Could you please confirm where it can be found? | The Certification of Primary Consultant Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters form is included within the FTA Certifications and Assurances document provided in COMMBUYS as part of the solicitation package. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | The RFP states that a Certification of Lower-Tier Participants Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusions must be submitted for each listed subconsultant prior to contract award (p.58). Could you please confirm whether the Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) form included in the FTA Certifications and Clauses Exhibit attachment satisfies this requirement for each subconsultant, or if any additional documentation is needed? | The Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) form included in the FTA Certifications and Clauses Exhibit satisfies this requirement for the prime consultant. Each subconsultant must also complete and submit the Lower-Tier Participant Certification Regarding Debarment and Suspension prior to contract award. No additional documentation beyond that form is required. | |
| Jason Smith/Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. | Proposal format | The RFP states that the Consultant must comply with 49 CFR 29, Subpart C and include this requirement in any lower-tier covered transactions (p.58). Could you please confirm whether a specific form is required to meet this obligation? If so, could you advise where it can be found? | MassDOT will provide the Lower-Tier Participant Certification form to the selected consultant prior to contract award. | |
| Lisa Ayr/HNTB Corporation | RFR Clarification | RFR Page 39, 9. Provider Data Management. Required for POS Only. Please define �??POS�?? and confirm if proposers need to provide a signed PDM Documentation Summary form in our proposal response. | POS stands for Purchase of Service. These filing requirements apply only to Purchase of Service contracts and are not applicable to this solicitation. | |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Section 1.3.1 - Team coverage | Section 1.3.1 describes this procurement as a Task Order�??based contract. Can MassDOT clarify whether a prime contractor is required to cover all service categories identified in the RFP (either directly or through subcontractors), or if firms may submit as specialized primes and only be considered for Task Orders aligned with their areas of expertise? | Firms may submit as specialized primes. They will be considered for task orders aligned with their specific areas of expertise. | |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Master Contract Award | Will evaluation at the master contract stage favor vendors who demonstrate qualifications across all service categories, or will MassDOT give equal consideration to firms that present strong, specialized expertise in selected categories? | Firms with strong specialized expertise will receive equal consideration. Evaluation will be based on the strength and relevance of qualifications within the categories proposed. | |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Targeted Task Orders | Can MassDOT clarify whether all awarded firms will be invited to compete for each Task Order, or if competition will be limited to those vendors that have demonstrated qualifications in the relevant service area? | Competition will be limited to firms that have demonstrated qualifications in the relevant service area for each task order. | what if it’s a new vendor and does not have experiece on a specific task, why can't they bid on the task? |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Service Categories | Can MassDOT confirm whether the service categories listed in the scope are exhaustive, requiring proposers to address each, or illustrative, allowing proposers to focus on relevant areas with the understanding that Task Orders will provide further definition? | The service categories are illustrative. Proposers may focus on relevant areas of expertise, with specific requirements defined in future task orders. | |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | DBE Requirement: | Will the 11% DBE requirement apply across the entire contract value, or will it be calculated individually at the Task Order level? | Per the recent federal ruling, the DBE goal requirement has been removed for this project. MassDOT is no longer applying the 11% DBE goal, and the DBE Letter of Intent is not required for this solicitation. | Is this final? |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | DBE Requirement: | The RFP sets an 11% DBE participation goal for federally funded projects. Can MassDOT confirm whether proposers are required to identify DBE subcontractors and submit commitments at the time of proposal submission, or if DBE compliance may be demonstrated and satisfied at the individual Task Order level throughout the contract term? | No. Per the recent federal ruling, the DBE goal requirement has been removed for this project. MassDOT is no longer applying the 11% DBE goal, and the DBE Letter of Intent is not required for this solicitation. | Is this final? |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Reporting | Can MassDOT clarify whether bidders should demonstrate compatibility focused on MassDOT�??s existing systems (e.g., Smartsheet, Power BI, etc.), or simply describe prior reporting approaches? | Bidders should describe compatibility with MassDOT’s existing systems where applicable, but may also include prior reporting approaches that demonstrate capability and flexibility. | |
| Kevin Moore/The Net Consulting Group | Page Count - Appendix | Can MassDOT confirm whether appendices (such as detailed methodologies, sample deliverables, or expanded reference material) are included in the forty-page limit, or may these be submitted as attachments outside the limit? | Yes. Appendices are included in the 40-page limit and must be counted within the total page count. | |
| Matt Ouellette/AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | Proposal Due Date | The RFP document "Transit GCS RFP FY26~1.pdf" has the proposal due date listed as 10/20 while the commbuys dashboard has the due date listed at 10/10. Which due date should proposers respond by? | MassDOT Rail and Transit Division has granted an extension. The proposal submission deadline is now November 3, 2025. | |
| Matt Ouellette/AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | Additional Documents 1 | In the submission requirements on page 21 of 75 of the RFP document "Transit GCS RFP FY26~1.pdf" additional documents appear to be listed within the proposal while on page 55 the additional documents appear to be assumed to be attachments. Which wording should subconsultants base their response on? | See Section 9.4 | |
| Matt Ouellette/AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | Additional Documents 2 | On page 56 of 75 the RFP document "Transit GCS RFP FY26~1.pdf" states, �??The additional attachments are required to be submitted with your RFP response; however, you are required to adhere to all clauses and terms and conditions. Additional attachments will be incorporated during contract execution, should your bid be selected.�?? Does that however signal that the documents below are required or are not required and there is a missing word? Those documents are not listed as a submission requirement anywhere else in the proposal. | Please see the revised RFP. The language has been corrected to clarify the submission requirements. | |
| Jessica Bianca /Deloitte Consulting | Submission Requirements | Can you confirm if you want the proposal to be submitted both as an electronic copy through COMMBUYS as well as a hard copy to the address provided in the RFP? | Both are required. Proposers must submit their proposals electronically as instructed in the RFP and provide one hard copy delivered to MassDOT Rail and Transit Division by the submission deadline. | |
| Robbie Sarles/RLS & Associates, Inc. | Compliance Assessments | a. How many compliance assessments do you anticipate each year? b. Do you anticipate requesting a team of two consultants for each on-site compliance review? c. Do you anticipate that on-site compliance assessments of your subrecipients will be included? i. If yes, will all compliance assessments be on-site? ii. Will any assessments be virtual? If so, how many? d. Can you provide a breakdown of funding types for agencies subject to compliance assessments? For example, if �??x number�?? of compliance assessments are expected to be conducted each year, how many of those receive 5311 funding vs 5310 vs 5339 vs 5307/5309 etc.? e. Do you anticipate that the project will include on-site drug and alcohol program assessments that are conducted separately from the �??general compliance�?? assessments as their own stand-alone compliance visit/review? i. If yes, approximately how many stand-alone drug & alcohol testing compliance assessments would be conducted each year? f. Will compliance reviews be conducted only for recipients/subrecipients of federal funds, or will compliance reviews be required for recipients/subrecipients who receive non-federal money from MassDOT, such as MassDOT Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funding? | Details regarding compliance assessments will be defined in individual task orders. Each task order request will specify the scope,based on the services required at that time. | |
| Robbie Sarles/RLS & Associates, Inc. | Planning and training | g. Can you elaborate on the types of activities that would be included in Rail Planning? h. Does �??Assist in development of asset management plans for both revenue and non-revenue vehicles�?? include rail assets? k. Do you anticipate that the consultant team will facilitate training for RTD staff and subrecipients? i. If so, approximately how many trainings per year? ii. If so, can you provide a range of potential training topics? | Details will be defined in individual task orders. Rail Planning activities may include data analysis, service planning, infrastructure assessment, asset management support, and coordination with rail operators. | |
| Robbie Sarles/RLS & Associates, Inc. | Cost Proposal and Teams | i. The cost form includes columns through Year 7, and there are up to 5 potential option years. Please send a revised form that includes rows through Year 10. j. If a team is not qualified in 100% of the potential bullet-pointed activities, will that team score lower than a team that is qualified in every potential area? For example, if a team has strong general planning services skills but does not include experience in Rail Planning, will that team potentially score lower? l. Do you intend to select multiple teams/bidders? m. Will successful primes be permitted to add subconsultants/ICs to the team if necessary to respond to a specific task order if that subconsultant/IC is not included in the original proposal? | MassDOT Rail and Transit Division only requires rates for the five base years. For each option year, a BAFO (Best and Final Offer) will be requested from the consultant prior to execution of that option year. No. Evaluation will be based on the strength of qualifications in the areas proposed. Teams with specialized expertise will receive equal consideration for task orders aligned with their areas of expertise. Yes. MassDOT intends to select multiple firms to provide flexibility and ensure a broad range of technical expertise across task orders. Yes. Approved primes may add subconsultants or independent contractors as needed to respond to specific task orders, subject to MassDOT’s review and prior approval. | |
| Kevin Sanders/The Boston Consulting Group, Inc. | Pricing | Would MassDOT consider allowing fixed-price task orders, in cases where the scope of work is well-defined with clear deliverables, as an alternative to the rate-based hourly approach? | Monica to answer | this is not completed |
| John Swenson/Gartner, Inc | Contractors | How many respondents will be awarded to the contract? | MassDOT Rail and Transit anticipate awarding multiple contracts. The number of awards will depend on the quality and range of proposals received to ensure adequate coverage across all service areas. | |
| John Swenson/Gartner, Inc | DBE | Are ancillary or subsidiary subcontracting DBE services preferred? | No. The DBE requirement is no longer applicable to this procurement. Per the recent FTA federal ruling, MassDOT will not apply a DBE goal to this contract. | Is this final? |
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