Consultant Services for Long Term Planning and Programming

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is requesting proposals for consultant services to support long-term planning and programming, federal, state, and local grant development and administration, and emerging transportation funding opportunities under RFP C250398, with proposals due July 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 23, 2026 at 10:45 a.m. (in-person at OCTA's Administrative Office, 550 South Main Street, Orange, California, Conference Room 09, or via teleconference); interviews are scheduled for August 17, 2026.

The scope includes technical assistance in programming federal, state, and local grants; managing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding; administering Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) funding; overseeing Measure M2 program administration; planning Express Lane Excess Toll Revenue expenditures; and monitoring emerging federal and state transportation funding programs. The consultant will analyze program guidelines, coordinate with local agencies, identify projects for grant submission, prepare grant applications and reporting materials, review planning documents for project competitiveness, evaluate legislative and policy impacts, and provide strategic advisory support. The consultant will work on a time-and-expense basis with possible travel to attend meetings at OCTA offices. The consultant's personnel are restricted from authorizing actions, making votes, or obligating OCTA to any course of action; OCTA personnel must substantively review all information, opinions, and recommendations before implementation.

The estimated contract value is $350,000 for the initial three-year term, with an option for two additional years. Compensation is structured as fully burdened hourly labor rates (Project Manager, Senior Strategic Planner, and Admin staff) plus Other Direct Costs, with rates fixed throughout the agreement term. Proposals must remain firm for a minimum of 120 days. The consultant must maintain Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 general aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Workers' Compensation with Waiver of Subrogation, Employers' Liability ($1,000,000 per accident), and Professional Liability ($1,000,000 minimum). Certificates of insurance are due within ten calendar days of the effective date. OCTA reserves the right to terminate for convenience or cause with thirty days' notice.

Evaluation is weighted as Qualifications of the Firm (30 points), Staffing and Project Organization (30 points), Work Plan (25 points), and Cost and Price (15 points). Top-ranked firms will be invited to interviews and may submit a Best and Final Offer. Award is contingent upon receipt of adequate state and local funds. All proposals become public record. Questions were due June 24, 2026. Addendum #2 Revision was posted July 2, 2026.