Parking Operator RFP

The City of Royal Oak, located in Oakland County, Michigan, is seeking a comprehensive parking operator through a Request for Proposal (RFP) to manage its parking infrastructure. The procurement covers four parking garages totaling approximately 2,500 spaces, ten surface lots with 770 spaces, and 814 on-street parking spaces in downtown Royal Oak. The successful contractor will be responsible for full-service parking management, including parking enforcement, customer service, revenue collection, equipment maintenance, permit administration, and special event parking management. Key deliverables include implementing new technologies such as Flowbird pay-by-plate stations, ParkMobile mobile payment, and Park Loyalty for citation and permit management. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on previous experience, performance, and overall best value to the city. The RFP was released on October 10, 2025, with electronic proposals due by 12:00 pm on November 21, 2025, through the city's procurement portal. Shortlist interviews are planned for January 2026, with a contract award expected in February-March 2026 and a go-live date of June 1, 2026.

While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documents, the RFP requires comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability, workers' compensation, and automobile liability insurance. Proposers must submit various certifications, including a non-collusion affidavit and verification of not being an "Iran Linked Business." The city will provide essential equipment such as an LPR-equipped vehicle, collection vehicle, office space, and citation devices to support the contractor's operations. The contract appears to be structured with a performance-based compensation model that does not rely on citation volumes, with the contractor being reimbursed for operating costs through monthly invoicing and all revenues remaining the property of the City of Royal Oak. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the Cost Workbook indicates the contract will cover a three-year period with provisions for potential price adjustments based on actual operating costs and inflation. The city reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and will evaluate bids based on previous experience, performance, and the overall best interest of the city.