OC ACCESS Paratransit Services

The Orange County Transportation Authority is requesting proposals for turnkey management and operation of OC ACCESS paratransit services, with proposals due November 5, 2026. This is a Federal Transit Administration funded project.

The scope encompasses full operational responsibility for paratransit services: management and oversight, personnel administration, reservations and scheduling, dispatching, operations, insurance procurement, data management and reporting, computer hardware and administrative software systems, and vehicles for driver relief and road supervision. The contractor assumes complete responsibility for service delivery to ADA-eligible and complementary paratransit riders throughout Orange County.

The contract term runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2035, consisting of four base years and four optional years. Pricing is tiered by revenue vehicle hours across four tiers (from greater than 100,000 hours to greater than 400,000 hours), with separate fixed and variable cost components required for each tier and contract year. Fixed costs include management labor, fringe benefits, taxes, depreciation, insurance, and equipment; variable costs include labor for operations and call center, maintenance, administration, materials and supplies, permits, insurance, and maintenance parts, with management fee and profit components added to each category. Year 1 startup costs cover driver training, staff training, office supplies, recruiting, and IT setup.

The contractor must provide a performance bond guaranteeing fulfillment of all contractual obligations. Level 3 Health, Safety and Environmental Specifications apply, requiring a qualified HSE Representative with BCSP certification (or equivalent) on-site during operations, submission of Site-Specific HSE Work Plans and Injury and Illness Prevention Programs prior to mobilization, immediate incident notification to the Authority, and monthly HSE reporting. The contractor is responsible for all compliance fines levied against the Authority for HSE violations arising from contractor activities. All work must comply with California Code of Regulations Title 8 and applicable federal, state, and local health, safety, and environmental laws.