Intercity bus service from pasco to moses lake to spokane

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a contractor to establish and operate an intercity fixed route bus service connecting Pasco, Moses Lake, and Spokane, branded as the "Wheat Line" within the Travel Washington intercity bus network. The procurement (Solicitation No. 2025-1029) aims to develop a self-sustaining transportation service that will provide two daily round trips seven days per week, with no service on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The service will cover multiple counties including Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Chelan, and Yakima, with specific route stops at key transportation hubs like Pasco Station, Tri-Cities Airport, Moses Lake, and Spokane Intermodal Center. Bidders must demonstrate comprehensive operational capabilities, including vehicle specifications meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and ADA requirements, marketing strategies, and coordination with regional transportation providers. The evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale, with 80% of points allocated to non-cost factors such as bidder qualifications and 20% to pricing. Key deadlines include a pre-bid conference on November 5, 2025, proposal submissions due by December 15, 2025, and an anticipated contract award on March 2, 2025, with an initial four-year contract term and potential for a four-year extension.

The solicitation includes voluntary diversity participation goals, targeting 10% minority-owned businesses, 6% women-owned businesses, 5% veteran-owned businesses, and 5% Washington small businesses. Vendors must complete a Diverse Business Inclusion Plan and are encouraged to utilize Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) for identifying potential subcontractors. The contract will be funded through the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program, with 15% of state appropriations available for capital, planning, and operating assistance. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, bidders must provide a comprehensive cost breakdown including direct operating expenses, purchased transportation, administration, and capital items. Contractors will be required to obtain federal carrier authorization, join ticketing platforms, develop communication protocols, and create marketing materials. Successful bidders must report subcontractor payments through Access Equity and demonstrate the potential to create a financially sustainable intercity transportation service with minimal ongoing WSDOT subsidies.