Bus Stop Real-Time Signs

The City of Santa Monica is seeking proposals for the purchase and installation of approximately 100-125 real-time information displays for the Big Blue Bus transit system, as part of the Better Blue Bus Stops program. The project aims to enhance bus stop amenities over the next three years, with contractors required to provide digital displays that can show bus arrival information and accommodate ADA requirements. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on May 6, 2025, with a deadline for questions on May 19, 2025, and a proposal submission deadline of June 17, 2025 at 3:00 pm. Evaluation criteria will include product design (15 points), vendor stability and references (10 points), work plan and timeline ability (20 points), technical competence and quality control (25 points), cost (20 points), and presentation (10 points). Contractors must have a minimum of five years of experience in the public transit industry, with installation staff having specific expertise in real-time information display deployments. The proposed displays must meet specific technical requirements, including durability, solar or long-life battery power, 4G/5G connectivity, and the ability to display real-time bus arrival information.

The contract will be a firm-fixed term for five years, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned for disadvantaged enterprises. The project will require integration with existing transit technologies and the Big Blue Bus signage system, which includes 318 bus stops within Santa Monica's city limits. Contractors must comply with various federal and state regulations, including prevailing wage requirements, federal transit administration clauses, and comprehensive insurance specifications. The insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per accident), Workers' Compensation, and Technology Professional Errors and Omissions/Cyber Liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 annual aggregate). While the exact budget is not explicitly stated, the total project funding will depend on available resources and the received cost proposals. Contractors must also complete a Vendor Information Security Assessment (VISA) Questionnaire and adhere to the city's strict information security requirements, with evaluations based on a three-tier scoring methodology.