RFI 77-18 (Connectivity and Bus Infrastructure) v2018.06.22.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

CONNECTIVITY AND BUS INFRASTRUCTURE

RFI # 77-18 / COMMBUYS Bid# BD-18-1206-MBTA-MBTA-28671

MASSACHUSETTS BAY

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Connectivity and Bus Infrastructure Request for Information#: 77-18 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-18-1206-MBTA-MBTA-28671

Contact Person:

Ray Wise Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 10 Park Plaza, Room 2810 Boston, MA 02116 Phone: 617-222-3402 rwise@mbta.com

Please Note: This is a single document associated with a complete Bid (also referred to as Solicitation) that can be found on www.COMMBUYS.com. All Bidders are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire Bid, which are all incorporated into the Bid. Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal, state and Suffolk county holidays.

ISSUE DATE: June 22, 2018

General Information:

Background:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), created in 1964 by an Act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, operates one of the oldest most extensive mass transit systems in the country. The MBTA's is the nation's 5th largest mass transit system and provides services to 175 cities and towns across Eastern Massachusetts encompassing over 5 million people over an area of 3,200 square miles. Service is provided to 275 stations throughout Boston and the greater metropolitan area, transporting 1.3 million passengers every day on a system of bus routes, rapid transit lines, commuter rail lines, ferry routes, trackless trolley lines, paratransit and a bus rapid transit system.

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

1.1 Introduction

Through this Request for Information (RFI), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) seeks to explore concepts around connectivity and bus infrastructure in order to better understand the current market and future opportunities. Service providers are invited to propose and share best practice ideas for these services and strategies that may assist the MBTA in a future procurement or series of procurements.

2. Questions

2.1 Technology

The MBTA would like to understand, from the relevant providers, what technology could provide additional benefit and value to the MBTA and its riders. The MBTA is also interested in learning about other technologies that could provide these or comparable services in the future.

2.1.1 Connectivity: In what ways could a connectivity deployment (fiber, small cells, wifi, 5G) at bus stops, shelters, stations, rights of way, vehicles, and freestanding outdoor structures assist in improving customer connectivity? Response should include on-vehicle travel (including buses and commuter rail), station, and proximate community areas. What connectivity infrastructure has been successfully deployed in a transportation context? How can different types of connectivity infrastructure serve the needs of riders on different modes? How could the buildout of FirstNet and 5G be included in the scope sought here?

2.1.2 Sensing: Transportation agencies and municipalities have begun to increase the presence of sensing technology, often as part of their smart cities efforts. These sensing technologies range from environmental (e.g. temperature, pollution, vibration, noise), to device oriented (e.g. bluetooth low energy, wifi), to application specific (e.g. load weight sensors on train axles, engine status on buses), and beyond. Sensing has been embedded in other technology (e.g. in streetlights or digital displays) and placed separately. How could the MBTA use sensing technology to improve its service and experience for riders? Where could the MBTA introduce sensing beacons on its assets?

2.2 Customer Experience

The MBTA would like to better understand the current market of amenities to enhance the experience of its riders and the communities that it serves.

2.2.1 Bus Amenities: What bus amenities are being sought by comparable authorities? How are they powered? What is the approximate unit cost of a bus shelter with varying level of amenities? What are the ways in which the bus environment can bring additional utility to riders and the community (e.g. safety, place making, bike racks, etc.)? What additional sources of value (maintenance, snow removal, etc.) could be procured alongside these amenities?

2.2.2 Real Time Information Panels: Where can the MBTA install arrival information boards and real time information panels across the bus system network? How are they powered? What formats would meet the accessibility needs of the MBTA? What is their cost to install and maintain? How can their content be best managed? Have they been procured in conjunction with other bus amenities?

2.3 Value

The MBTA would like to understand the current market for these types of concessions as well as identify potential revenue opportunities.

2.3.1 Revenue: What revenue opportunities exist through the procurement of these services? Please identify and summarize the potential revenue sources that could be created by these technologies.

2.3.2 Models: Identify business models to pay for the construction and ongoing maintenance of the above plus additional revenue to the MBTA. Include recommendations for contract term, rights required, and other key assumptions. Please provide an initial projection for the value.

2.4 Deployment

What is the best way for the MBTA to obtain connectivity and bus amenities for our riders as outlined above? Please provide suggestions on how to maximize value and utility for the MBTA and its riders through differing procurement strategies.

2.5 Information Requirements

What information on the current technical or built environment would the Respondent need to competitively bid on contract(s) related to the topics above (Connectivity, Sensing, Bus Amenities, and Real Time Information).

3. Responding to this RFI:

3.1 Who May Respond

Responses from any vendor or organization in industry or academia with practical knowledge of developing and deploying connectivity and bus infrastructure are welcome.

3.2 Format of RFI Responses

The following outline must be followed in the development of your response. You should include:

· A cover letter -- the cover letter should include a brief summary of your interest and expertise in this area, and must identify the supporting documentation that is included in your response.

· Responses to the specific questions in Section 2 of this RFI

· Any additional material that supports your experience and expertise in developing and/or deploying connectivity and bus infrastructure.

Although the MBTA does not limit the size of responses, you are asked to consider that the MBTA has limited time to review the responses.

3.3 Reimbursement

The MBTA will not reimburse organizations responding to this RFI for any costs in conjunction with their responses to this RFI.

4. Response Review Process

4.1 Review Process

RFIs are issued by the MBTA with the intent to survey the industry and obtain information that provides the MBTA with an understanding of the range of products and services that are available in the market, vendors’ experience in deploying these products, and where these products have been deployed.

4.2 Clarification

To fully comprehend the information contained within a response to this RFI, the reviewing group may seek further clarification on that response. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication; electronic communication; or a presentation of the response to a meeting of interested parties at the MBTA.

If RFI respondents are invited to present their response to the MBTA, the purpose of this presentation would be to seek clarification of information contained within the response (as noted above), to further explore issues raised, or to further meet the goals of the RFI.

5. Applicable Procurement Law

Executive Branch Goods and Services

6. Timeline

Optional RFI Conference MBTA Offices, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA Room to be announced Teleconference number: 515.604.9960 Access code: 382970 (see important note below)

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

6.1 Optional RFI Conference

The MBTA will conduct an optional RFI Conference for prospective respondents on July 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EDT in (location). Alternately, interested participants may dial in at 515.604.9960 with access code: 382970. During this conference, the MBTA will answer verbal questions and address as many previously submitted written questions as possible in the time allotted. A summary of the questions and answers will be posted in COMMBUYS for those unable to attend in person or over the phone.

Important Note about this Conference: Approximately one week prior to this conference, the MBTA will confirm the location, conference call information, and any other special instructions on the COMMBUYS site. For those choosing to attend in person, it will be necessary to RSVP, and government issued photo ID will be required for entrance to our offices. The COMMBUYS site will be used to communicate these updates. Please ensure you have reviewed these updates and made appropriate arrangements prior to traveling to our offices.

Online Questions (Bid Q&A) Written Questions must be entered by pressing the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the “Online Questions Due” date and time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above). The issuing department reserves the right not to respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions.

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Written Responses to Questions will be released on or about the “Responses to Questions Posted Online” date indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

Written questions and responses will be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab for this Bid in COMMBUYS.

6.2 Responses Deadline (Bid Opening Date/Time)

See the Responses Deadline (Bid Opening) Date and Time indicated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar (above).

7. RFI Attachments Appendix A: Electronic Quote Submission Instructions http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/osd/forms/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids.docx Updated: June 20, 2018