CATS Program Manager Advisor Consultant Services

The City of Charlotte, North Carolina, through the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), is seeking a Program Management Advisor (PMA) Consultant to support its extensive transit capital expansion program. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ #269-2026-1937) solicits consulting firms to provide comprehensive program management and advisory services for a multi-phase, multi-billion-dollar transit initiative spanning the next 30 years. The selected consultant will be responsible for program oversight, governance, risk management, stakeholder coordination, technical support, reporting, documentation, and asset management. Key deliverables include coordinating with other project consultants such as design, real estate, safety, security, and construction management teams. The RFQ requires a non-mandatory virtual pre-response meeting scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 10 AM, with Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) due by December 11, 2025, at 2 PM. Potential interviews for selected firms are planned for January 5-9, 2026, with the expectation of supporting a comprehensive transit expansion that includes expanding bus services by 50%, implementing micro-transit zones, and developing a 43-mile rail system with multiple line extensions.

The procurement appears to be open to qualified consulting firms without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the RFQ includes mandatory non-discrimination and debarment certifications. The transit expansion program is funded by a newly approved 1-cent sales tax, projected to generate approximately $19.4 billion over 30 years, with 60% allocated to transit improvements. CATS anticipates seeking additional Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding through the Capital Investment Grant program to support major capital projects. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract will be structured as a task order-based agreement with compensation determined on an hourly and unit price basis. The Professional Services Agreement template indicates a maximum cumulative amount, with reimbursable expenses limited to specific categories such as travel, communication costs, permitting fees, and reprographics. Successful respondents will be required to use the City's web-based project control system e-Builder for document management and must meet specific insurance coverage standards, with the City of Charlotte listed as an additional insured party.