Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automated Voice Annunciation (AVA) Technology for the City of Annapolis Transit, Annapolis, Maryland

The City of Annapolis Central Purchasing Office is procuring Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automated Voice Annunciation (AVA) technology for Annapolis Transit through a competitive sealed proposal process, with proposals due by 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, May 29, 2026, submitted to bids@annapolis.gov or 25 Shaw Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The procurement seeks a comprehensive, turn-key solution comprising hardware and compatible software systems that enable real-time vehicle tracking via GPS-based location updates every 5 seconds, automated stop announcements compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, GTFS-compatible data feeds, web-based public interfaces, and mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms supporting up to 17 vehicles with 13 months of historical data retention. The successful contractor must establish back-office administrative consoles and provide one year of software maintenance including updates, bug fixes, and technical support, with yearly renewals available subject to 60 days' prior written notice and price adjustments limited to the Consumer Price Index. A mandatory virtual pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. via Google Meet. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: qualifications and experience (20 points), staffing and technical approach (20 points), work plan (20 points), and price proposal (40 points), with the contract award granted to the responsible and responsive bidder offering the best value.

The RFP does not identify specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organization types eligible to respond. All proposals must be accompanied by a 5 percent bid bond with a penal sum equal to five percent of the bid amount, submitted in duplicate with valid Power of Attorney and notarized affidavits, and a non-collusion certificate. The successful bidder shall provide payment and performance bonds equal to 100 percent of the total bid price and maintain insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per person/$2,000,000 per accident), Workers' Compensation per Maryland law, and Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions ($1,000,000 per claim). The contract is subject to Davis-Bacon wage requirements, Federal Transit Administration terms, and various federal civil rights and compliance provisions, indicating potential federal FTA assistance involvement. The contract term shall be negotiated based on the City's anticipated schedule with renewal options available at the City's discretion, though no specific funding amount or budget range is disclosed in the available documentation. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities, award multiple contracts, and select the proposal deemed in the best interest of the City.