Consultant to Develop and Conduct Operator Recruiting/Retention Focus Groups

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), also known as Metro, is seeking a consultant to develop and conduct a comprehensive series of focus groups aimed at improving operator recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #097-2025RFPL requires the selected vendor to plan, coordinate, and execute six focus groups with current operators at various career stages, with each group consisting of 4-5 participants. Deliverables include developing discussion guides, recruiting participants, conducting 120-minute in-person sessions at a research facility, and producing a final comprehensive report with an executive summary and actionable recommendations. The evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: 45% for project approach, 32.5% for firm and staffing qualifications, and 22.5% for price. Key dates include the RFP release on August 14, 2025, a pre-proposal meeting on August 26, 2025, and proposal submissions due by September 11, 2025, at 2:30 pm through SORTA's e-Procurement Portal. The contract is a firm fixed-base arrangement to be completed in Q3, with SORTA providing access to operator contact lists and background documentation to support the research effort.

While no specific small business goal has been established, SORTA demonstrates a commitment to investing in small businesses and expects vendors to make good faith efforts to utilize certified small businesses. The procurement is governed by Ohio state law and subject to comprehensive terms and conditions that include substantial insurance requirements, with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence in most categories. Contractors must comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including equal employment opportunity, drug-free workplace standards, and environmental sustainability provisions. The contract includes provisions for potential small and disadvantaged business enterprise participation, though no specific set-aside designations are explicitly stated. While no specific budget range is detailed in the documents, the pricing proposal includes seven line items covering project management, participant recruitment, focus group execution, research and content development, data analysis and reporting, executive deliverables, and potential participant incentives. SORTA reserves the right to select the most advantageous proposal based on the evaluation criteria, with the lowest cost proposal receiving proportional points in the pricing category.