Staff_Report_for_Release__55_North_V1_6.22.26_FINAL_DRAFT.docx

July 27, 2026

To: Members of the Board of Directors

From: Darrell E. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer

Orange County Transportation Authority 550 South Main Street / P.O. Box 14184 / Orange / California 92863-1584 / (714) 560-OCTA (6282)

Subject: Approval to Release Request for Proposals for Public Outreach Services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project between Interstate 5 and State Route 91

Overview

Staff is requesting Board of Directors’ approval to release a request for proposals for public outreach consultant services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project between Interstate 5 and State Route 91. These services are needed for community outreach efforts during the pre-construction and construction phases of the project. A draft request for proposals has been developed to initiate a competitive procurement process to retain a public outreach consultant.

Recommendations

A. Approve the proposed evaluation criteria and weightings for Request for Proposals XXX for public outreach consultant services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project from Interstate 5 to State Route 91.

B. Approve the release of Request for Proposals XXX to select a firm to provide public outreach consultant services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project from Interstate 5 to State Route 91.

Discussion

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is implementing the State Route 55 (SR-55) Improvement Project between Interstate 5 (I-5) and State Route 91 (SR-91) (Project). The Project is Project F in the Measure M2 (M2) freeway program and is being advanced through the updated Next 10 Delivery Plan adopted by the OCTA Board of Directors (Board) in December 2025.

SR-55 is a major north-south corridor serving commuters, tourists, local traffic, and regional travelers throughout Orange County. The Project extends approximately 7.5 miles and includes the cities of Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin. The $202 million Project is funded through a combination of local and federal funds. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in early 2027 and continue for approximately 3.5 years.

The Project corridor generally consists of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses adjacent to the freeway. Annual average daily traffic through the Project Corridor is more than 200,000 vehicles, and the corridor currently experiences congestion and traffic delays.

The Project includes improvements to SR-55 in both directions between I-5 and State Route 22 (SR-22), as well as operational improvements to interchange ramps at Fourth Street/Irvine Boulevard, Katella Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue. An additional lane will be added to the northbound and southbound (SB) off-ramps at Fourth Street/Irvine Boulevard and to the SB SR-55 Katella Avenue off-ramps and on-ramps. The existing SB SR-55 Lincoln Avenue off-ramp will be relocated approximately 1,300 feet to the south and reconstructed as part of a new undercrossing structure. This Project also includes construction of a new park-and-ride facility.

Additionally, the Project provides standard curb ramps and sidewalks along impacted arterials to improve active transportation options and provide continuity for pedestrians. Construction is anticipated to occur in multiple stages and will include simultaneous freeway and local street improvements.

Extensive outreach efforts will be required to communicate construction activities and impacts to residents, businesses, motorists, commuters, first responders, transit providers, and other key stakeholders.

Major construction activities include freeway and ramp widening, retaining wall construction, bridge and undercrossing construction, utility relocations, median and barrier improvements, and roadway reconstruction. These activities will require long- and short-term lane reductions, ramp and local street closures, detours, overnight work, weekend closures, and temporary traffic control measures affecting both freeway facilities and local streets.

Given the Project scope and complexity and the SR-55 corridor’s relevance to the traveling public and major stakeholders, Board approval is requested to release a request for proposals (RFP) for public outreach consultant services during the Project’s pre-construction and construction phases. These consultant services will support OCTA in the development and delivery of construction notifications and information that helps the public understand the value and benefits of the Project, as well as construction impacts.

The consultant will implement a comprehensive public outreach program that will engage with all stakeholders, including hard-to-reach and underrepresented communities, using a variety of methods and tools such as:

· One-on-one meetings with city representatives, key stakeholders, community-based organizations, and members of the business, ethnic, and faith communities

· City council and speakers bureau presentations

· Email newsletters and text notifications

· In-person and virtual neighborhood meetings

· An interactive map of closures and detours

· A Project website and social media presence

· Flyers canvassed to properties along the Project corridor

In addition, the consultant will assist with coordinating pre- and post-construction surveys as needed and facilitate implementation of temporary construction easements.

Procurement Approach

OCTA’s Board-approved procurement policies and procedures require that the Board approve all RFPs over $1,000,000, as well as approve the evaluation criteria and weightings. Staff is submitting for Board approval the draft RFP and evaluation criteria and weightings, which will be used to evaluate proposals received in response to the RFP.

The proposed evaluation criteria and weightings are as follows:

Several factors were considered in developing the evaluation criteria weightings. Qualifications of the firm is weighted at 20 percent as the consulting firm must have public outreach experience on complex transportation projects during pre-construction and construction phases. Staffing and project organization is weighted at 25 percent as the proposing firm must demonstrate an experienced, well-rounded team consisting of senior and junior level staff having adequate availability, as well as relevant experience performing outreach services on large construction projects. Work plan is weighted at 30 percent as the plan must consider the unique needs of a corridor composed of residential, commercial, and industrial businesses that also serves motorists and goods movement traveling between Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Additionally, the proposed work plan must demonstrate an understanding of the Project scope and challenges, as well as the level of effort required. Cost and price is weighted at 25 percent to ensure that OCTA receives value for the services provided.

The contract for this procurement will be for a five-year initial term with an option term of three years. The total cost for the initial term is anticipated to be approximately $2,359,750.

This RFP will be released upon Board approval of these recommendations.

Fiscal Impact

The Project was approved in OCTA’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, People and Community Engagement Division, Account 0017-7519-FF102-TYP.

Summary

Board of Directors’ approval is requested to release RFP XXX for public outreach consultant services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project from Interstate 5 to State Route 91, as well as approval of the proposed evaluation criteria and weightings.

Attachment

A. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) XXX, Public Outreach Consultant Services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project between Interstate 5 and State Route 91.

Prepared by:

Approved by:

Angela Hui

Maggie McJilton

Community Outreach Specialist. Principal, Public Outreach 714-560-5648

Executive Director, People and Community Engagement 714-560-5824

Pia Veesapen

Director, Contracts Administration and Materials Management 714-560-5619 image1.png