RFP_SUN260384_Consulting_Services_-_Comprehensive_Operations_Analysis_for_SUNTRAN_-_Addendum__2.pdf

This is Addendum #2, issued on February 18, 2026, to RFP #SUN/260384 for Consulting Services—Comprehensive Operations Analysis for SunTran, the public transit system of the City of Ocala, Florida. The addendum modifies the evaluation criteria for the proposal price by adding "Project cost and feasibility" as a new consideration factor. The original RFP solicits a consultant to develop a Comprehensive Operational Analysis that evaluates service improvements based on changing ridership patterns, development, population, employment trends, and system performance. Core deliverables include a detailed work plan, up to five Transit Steering Committee meetings, twelve monthly progress reports, eight public meetings, technical memoranda, route-by-route evaluation reports, service improvement plans with run cuts and cost estimates, and a final COA Report with Executive Summary and board presentations. The project requires extensive data collection including field surveys of all bus routes, comprehensive on-board and stop-by-stop ridership data collection, interviews with SunTran personnel across all operational functions, and detailed analysis of system characteristics. A critical feasibility study must evaluate costs, risks, and organizational impacts of transitioning transit operations and maintenance in-house compared to the current contracted delivery model. The question submission deadline was February 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST, with proposals due March 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via the City's e-procurement portal. The contract term is two years, with the study duration not to exceed nine months from the kick-off meeting.

Minimum qualifications require proposers to demonstrate at least seven years of experience developing Comprehensive Operational Analysis studies for transit operations for governmental agencies, with completion of at least three directly comparable projects, and to provide three public transit agency references. The evaluation criteria allocate 40 points to experience, qualifications, and past performance; 40 points to project understanding, approach, methodology, and schedule; and 20 points to the price proposal, as modified by this addendum. This is a fixed-price contract requiring detailed cost breakdowns for all tasks specified in the RFP and supporting exhibits, with proposers submitting a lump sum cost plus optional services pricing based on professional recommendations. No local consultant preference applies; however, minority and disadvantaged business enterprise participation is encouraged with a 2.55% DBE utilization goal required unless the proposer documents good faith efforts to meet this threshold, with all DBEs requiring certification through the Unified Certification Program. The RFP is federally funded through the Federal Transit Administration, requiring compliance with all FTA regulations, policies, and procedures outlined in FTA Circular 4220.1F, including mandatory Federal clauses covering equal employment opportunity, Title VI civil rights compliance, Clean Air and Water Act adherence, and audit and inspection rights for three years post-contract. Contractors must maintain professional liability insurance for five years post-acceptance and comply with all City of Ocala General Terms and Conditions. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified, indicating this is a new procurement. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and will conduct negotiations with the highest-ranked proposer following a protest period.