Informal Request for Proposals (RFP) Public Outreach Services for the Interstate 5 Improvement Project from the San Diego County Line to Avenida Pico

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is requesting proposals for limited public outreach services during the Project Approval/Environmental Document phase of the Interstate 5 Improvement Project (San Diego County Line to Avenida Pico), with proposals due September 29, 2026. All offerors must certify compliance with Ukraine/Russia-related economic sanctions imposed by the State of California and the United States Government, including Presidential Executive Orders 13660, 13661, 13662, 13685, and 14065; any sanctioned individual or entity is ineligible to submit.

The scope includes project management and transition activities; support for up to two public hearings (one in-person open-house format and one virtual with breakout rooms); public circulation period follow-up activities; preferred alternative notification efforts including postcard development and distribution; and preparation of a final public outreach report documenting all PA/ED phase engagement activities. The consultant shall build upon work completed under a previous outreach consultant agreement and shall not recreate previously completed work unless authorized by OCTA. All communications with elected officials or media must be coordinated through and approved by OCTA.

The contract budget is $99,450 for a two-year term (November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2028). OCTA intends to award a time-and-expense contract. Offerors must submit fully-burdened hourly rates for four positions (Project Manager, Community Liaison, Account Coordinator, Graphic Designer) with separate rates for Year 1 and Year 2, plus other direct costs on Schedule II with supporting documentation. Pricing evaluation weights the Community Liaison position at 38% and Account Coordinator at 42%, with Project Manager and Graphic Designer each at 10%. All hourly rates must include direct and indirect costs, tax, and profit. The Authority will not reimburse invoice preparation and review, local meals, or unapproved travel time. Monthly invoices must itemize labor charges by individual and task category with hours and costs allocated to specific tasks and contract-to-date summaries.

Offerors must acknowledge receipt of the RFP and any addenda and commit to a minimum 120-day firm offer period. Proposals must be submitted electronically; hard copy submissions are not accepted.