Consulting Service to Manage STEER Committee for 2 years

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), also known as Metro, is seeking a consulting service to manage the Strategic Transit Engagement to Expand Ridership (STEER) Committee for a two-year contract period. The primary objective is to recruit, qualify, plan, and convene quarterly meetings with a diverse committee of 10-20 public transit users in Hamilton County, Ohio. Key deliverables include facilitating quarterly meetings (typically from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.), conducting focus group engagements, preparing end-of-year summaries, and supporting discussions about Metro service enhancements and marketing messaging. The proposal evaluation will be weighted across three critical areas: Project Approach (45%, 450 points), Firm and Staffing Qualifications (32.5%, 325 points), and Price (22.5%, 225 points). The Request for Proposal (RFP) #075-2025RFPL was released on June 23, 2025, with a response deadline of July 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., covering meeting cycles from Q4 2025 through Q1 2027. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the e-Procurement Portal, with strict guidelines on content, confidentiality, and potential conflicts of interest.

While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned in the documents, the contract will require comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, liability, automobile, and professional liability insurance. SORTA will provide supportive infrastructure such as meeting space, contact information for staff, background materials, bus passes for committee members, and guest speaker arrangements. The contract is structured with an all-inclusive unit cost model for each of the two contract years, though the exact budget range is not precisely specified in the provided documentation. The General Terms and Conditions emphasize that funding is not guaranteed beyond SORTA's current fiscal year, and contract continuation depends on fund availability. Contractors will be expected to comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including environmental standards, equal employment opportunity guidelines, and substance abuse protocols. The procurement appears open to qualified consulting firms with demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, transit planning, and community outreach.