PWS.pdf

RFQ-RT-16-00011

Attachment 2: Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Vanpool Subsidy for Environmental Protection Agency Employees RTP EPA Main Campus Facility

Purpose & Objective

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, NC intends to establish one or more Blanket Purchase Agreement(s) (BPA) to transfer EPA Van Pool subsidy funds to approved Van Pool Operator(s). This procurement is intended to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the highway by providing transit commuter benefits via the use of Vanpools for employees to commute to and from work. The EPA currently has existing vanpool riderships that originate from the following cities in North Carolina: Apex, Bahama, Cary, Durham, Garner, Raleigh, Hillsborough, and Holly Springs. The EPA would like to extend vanpool services to further cities outside the existing ridership area.

The Vanpool Operator is reimbursed monthly for the cost based on the current Government subsidy. The cost of each vanpool is based on the round-trip mileage from the vanpool starting point to the destination.

Any costs not covered by the subsidy are paid to the Vanpool Operator by the individual riders of the vanpool.

The EPA Transit Subsidy program is designed to promote the use of public transportation and to ease traffic congestion nationwide. EPA’s Office of Administration and Resources is responsible for setting policy throughout the agency, administrating benefits, and internal reporting for EPA’s Transit Subsidy Program (TSP). The TSP allows eligible EPA employees to receive monthly transit subsidy to offset their work commuting cost. In order to evaluate the benefits of this program, the Facilities Service Branch is required to collect and report changes in single occupant vehicle use for commuting purposes.

The transit subsidy is equal to the amount of the participants actual monthly allowable transit benefit as mandated by the federal government. In order for an employee to receive a transit subsidy he or she must use a mass transit system or commuter highway vehicle that meets the criteria established in IRS Code 132(f). The authority for a Transportation Fringe Benefit Program was given in Executive Order 13150.

The monthly transit subsidy amount per employee is defined by law in 26 USC 132(f)(2), including the method for inflation. Other laws, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), may also address the fringe benefit.

In order to evaluate the benefits of this program, the Facilities Services Branch is required to collect and report changes in existing employee commuting habits and other habits and other measures taken to encourage the reduction in single occupant vehicle use for commuting purposes.

In order for an employee to receive a transit subsidy he or she must use a mass transit system or commuter highway vehicle that is a member of a Vanpool Service as his or her normal method of commuting to and from work.

Scope

The contractor, also known as the Van Pool Operator (VPO), shall provide vehicles, pay for gas and insurance, and arrange, oversee, and pay for all van maintenance. All vans must pass NC Safety inspections annually as required by state law.

RFQ-RT-16-00011

Vanpool fares are computed by the VPO based on average monthly miles and the cost of vehicle operation, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. Riders pay a monthly fare based on their vanpool’s average daily round-trip mileage.

The VPO shall submit the required monthly deliverables described below in order to determine the monthly subsidy amount that will be paid by the Government. It will be based on the current transit subsidy amount multiplied by the number of validated riders for that month.

Deliverables

1. The contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with vanpool cost computation report for each van requiring the transit subsidy monthly. This report shall include the van number, cost for insurance, interest & fees, beginning and ending mileage totals for each month, and passenger totals.

2. The contractor shall provide the project officer pre-invoice review documentation which indicates the contract number, month, van number, number of miles traveled, destination description and total cost for each van. This information will be evaluated by the project officer to validate acceptance of the invoice before the contractor can submit their final invoice for payment.