Group 34 Fixed Route Bus Services - (5% DBE Goal)

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado is seeking a contractor to provide Group 34 Fixed Route Bus Services through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The procurement covers fixed route bus services in the Denver metropolitan area, including routes in Boulder, Longmont, and surrounding communities, with a service start date of January 10, 2026. The initial contract period is three years, with two additional one-year option periods available. Proposers must submit comprehensive technical and cost proposals, including detailed plans for start-up, transition, personnel, facilities, and vehicle maintenance, with a focus on operating and maintaining RTD-owned vehicles and adhering to specific service standards. The procurement will be awarded on a "best value" competitive proposal basis, with proposers required to demonstrate experience in public transit operations, meet specific personnel qualifications, and comply with federal and state transportation regulations. Key deadlines include a pre-proposal briefing on May 21, 2025, proposal submissions due on June 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. local time, and an anticipated final selection by July 28, 2025.

The contract includes a 5% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal, encouraging minority business involvement in the procurement. Proposers must provide a comprehensive price proposal valid for 180 days, with projected annual revenue hours increasing from 165,060 in the first year to 189,382 in the fifth year, totaling 890,366 revenue hours over the contract term. The pricing structure allows for detailed breakdown of expenses, including supervisory and staff wages, maintenance costs, facility expenses, and insurance. While the total contract value is not explicitly stated, the contract will include service costs and separate reimbursement for fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) expenses. The successful contractor will be responsible for operating bus routes across multiple communities, with a comprehensive approach to calculating transportation service costs and tracking revenue hours and associated expenses across multiple contract years.