Professional Services for Major Capital Improvement Projects- FTA

The City of Tucson has issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 226083 seeking professional consulting services to develop and prepare two Major Capital Investment Projects (MCIP) for the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. The procurement specifically targets a multi-disciplinary team to assist with developing a fixed-guideway project under the New Starts program and a corridor-based Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project under the Small Starts program. The projects will focus on a 15-mile north-south regional corridor extending from Tucson Mall to Tucson International Airport, building upon previous transit planning studies. Consultants will be responsible for guiding both projects through the Project Development phase, which includes comprehensive tasks such as environmental review, public involvement, alternatives evaluation, and preparing documentation for FTA review. The City will evaluate submissions across five criteria totaling 100 points, considering firm experience, team qualifications, project approach, firm qualifications, and available resources. The solicitation was published on June 1, 2022, with a pre-submittal virtual conference held on June 14, 2022, and proposals are due on June 29, 2022, at 2:00 pm local Arizona time.

The procurement includes specific Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program provisions, with requirements for contractors to meet DBE participation goals, though the exact percentage is marked as "To Be Determined". Contractors must provide documentation demonstrating efforts to solicit and include DBE firms, with potential consequences for non-compliance including payment withholding and potential disqualification from future bidding. The contract is subject to comprehensive FTA terms and conditions, covering areas such as civil rights requirements, lobbying restrictions, environmental protections, and specific certifications related to Buy America provisions. Individual project budgets are not to exceed $100,000 without written approval from the Business Services Department. The solicitation emphasizes compliance with federal guidelines across multiple domains, including non-discrimination, equal employment opportunity, record retention, and workplace safety. Contractors must follow FTA circulars and regulations, and the contract will be funded through federal transit assistance, requiring strict adherence to federal standards and comprehensive certifications.