CEO and General Manager Executive Recruitment

Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (Mountain Line) is requesting proposals for CEO and General Manager Executive Recruitment services under RFP 2027-100, with proposals due October 17, 2026. A 13 percent race-neutral Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation goal applies.

The scope requires the contractor to develop a comprehensive recruitment strategy, conduct organizational needs assessment and competency analysis, engage the Board of Directors and community stakeholders, create job description and recruitment materials, conduct national recruitment with personal outreach to qualified candidates, implement screening processes (including verification of candidate awareness of Flagstaff's housing market), coordinate preliminary and final interview processes with travel coordination, conduct minimum three professional reference checks and extensive criminal background checks on final candidates, and manage overall evaluation and selection through offer coordination. The contractor must provide a placement guarantee: if the selected candidate leaves within the first year for reasons other than acts of God, the contractor repeats the search at no charge. The contractor must also repeat the search at no additional cost if Mountain Line is not satisfied with presented candidates and must agree not to recruit the selected individual for any other position during employment with the Authority for at least five years. Optional services priced separately include developing a six-month onboarding plan, creating a communication plan for onboarding, and developing and facilitating a retreat with the successful candidate and the Board.

Respondents must demonstrate minimum five years in continuous business and provide up to five comparable projects completed within the last five years for transit systems of similar size and scope. Evaluation criteria allocate 100 points: Method of Approach (30 points), Experience of Firm/Executives (20 points), Transit Industry Experience (10 points), and Pricing (40 points). A Selection Committee will establish a short list of up to three highest-scoring respondents (or more if scores fall within ten percent), followed by oral presentations capped at 30 minutes with 60 minutes for questions. Final evaluation combines team interview performance (maximum 40 points) and strategic fit with Mountain Line goals (maximum 60 points). Mountain Line will negotiate with the highest-ranked respondent. Proposals must remain valid for 180 days from opening. All work product and deliverables become Mountain Line's property. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, Excess Liability reaching $5,000,000, Errors & Omissions Liability of $3,000,000 per occurrence and $5,000,000 aggregate, and Commercial Auto Liability of $1,000,000.