Downtown Appleton Trolley Service

Valley Transit/City of Appleton and Appleton Downtown, Inc. are seeking proposals for a fixed-route rubber-wheeled trolley service operating from downtown Appleton to the riverfront along a prescribed loop route. The Request for Proposals (RFP) solicits a contractor to provide trolley service during a four-month period from early June through late September, specifically operating Thursdays and Fridays from 5:15 PM to 9:45 PM and Saturdays from 8:15 AM to 9:45 PM. The service will be free to the public, with the selected contractor responsible for providing all necessary equipment, vehicles, facilities, and personnel for operations. Proposals are due by 10:00 AM CST on January 26, 2024, at Valley Transit's office, with an estimated contract award date of March 29, 2024. The contract will be an initial two-year period with potential automatic renewal for three additional one-year option periods, contingent on 90 days' written notice. Evaluation criteria will prioritize experience and professional competence, capacity and technical approach, proposal completeness, and pricing. Contractors must comply with Federal Transit Administration regulations, Wisconsin Department of Transportation requirements, and specific federal contract clauses.

The procurement does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The current contractor is Lamers Bus Lines, Inc., and the service will be funded through City, County, State, and Federal taxpayer dollars. Contractors must maintain specific insurance coverage, including $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability, $1,000,000 in Automobile Liability, and $2,000,000 in Umbrella Liability, with the City of Appleton named as an additional insured. Mandatory requirements include implementing a DOT-compliant Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, maintaining comprehensive maintenance programs, providing employee training in defensive driving and passenger sensitivity, and ensuring ADA accessibility and civil rights compliance. The 2023 operating season provided 486 revenue hours and 5,610 revenue miles of service, which can serve as a baseline for potential bidders. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, contractors will be required to quote a fixed rate per revenue hour that includes all operational costs.