Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program

SEPTA is soliciting proposals under RFP 26-00328-ACAC for a two-year Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, with proposals due November 12, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. under Addendum No. 2, which extended the deadline from November 9. No Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal has been established, though DBE participation will be tracked if utilized. The original announcement cites the solicitation as RFP 26-00238-ACAC.

The contractor must design, develop, conduct, and evaluate six HSEEP-compliant exercises ending August 2028: two workshops and two tabletop exercises (each approximately 75 participants) and two full-scale exercises (up to 150 participants each). Deliverables include After-Action Reports/Improvement Plans for all six exercises, biweekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting, and a Program Closeout Report. Key personnel should hold FEMA L-146 HSEEP training, with Master Exercise Practitioner certification preferred. The contractor furnishes controllers, evaluators, facilitators, simulation-cell and safety personnel, registration staff, radios, audiovisual equipment, simulation props, casualty simulation materials, and vehicles. SEPTA provides exercise facilities, role players, operational support personnel, and access to transit equipment or rolling stock.

The contract is firm fixed-price, and SEPTA will not disclose the budget. It is funded by FEMA Transit Security Grant Program funds under Assistance Listing 97.075, federal award EMW-2025-RA-05001. Work begins upon SEPTA Board approval, estimated by March 1, 2027. Invoicing may be submitted monthly for program management and upon acceptance of individual exercise deliverables. Insurance requirements include general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit, workers' compensation of $1 million, and umbrella/excess liability of $1 million. Addendum No. 2 removed the 12-year completed-operations coverage and explosion, collapse, and underground coverage. The contract is subject to FTA provisions, Buy America requirements, Section 889 telecommunications restrictions, and Executive Order 12549 certification.

Technical proposals are evaluated in descending order of importance on project approach and deliverables, qualifications and experience, quality and design of exercise materials, and project plan and program management approach. Interviews and best and final offers are possible, and best and final offers must remain firm for 120 days. Price proposals are opened only after technical evaluation. SEPTA may award to the proposal that best satisfies the RFP's intent and its best interests, and it reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Proposers must submit technical and price proposals in separate sealed packages, each with one physical copy and one flash drive, to 1234 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3780, Attn: Carolyn Cotton. The technical proposal must include the signed Addendum No. 1 acknowledgement form. Addendum No. 2 answered 152 submitted questions, and questions closed October 26, 2026. Contact Carolyn Cotton at (215) 580-7599 or cCotton@SEPTA.org.