Real-time bus arrival predictions and alerts for BBB customers

The City of Santa Monica, Department of Transportation, is requesting proposals for a Software-as-a-Service system to provide real-time bus arrival predictions and service alerts for Big Blue Bus, with proposals due July 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and a question submission deadline of July 1, 2026.

The scope is a comprehensive SaaS solution delivering real-time arrival prediction data in GTFS-real-time format, integrated with third-party applications (Transit, Google, Moovit), and multi-channel customer communication via web interfaces, mobile applications, SMS, Interactive Voice Response, and electronic bus-stop signage. The system must serve BBB's 17 routes and 195 buses across Santa Monica and greater West Los Angeles. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience providing real-time predictions and operational analytics to comparable North American transit agencies and two years of compatibility with Clever Devices CAD/AVL systems—a capability filter. The solution must operate at 99.99% system availability and accuracy on a weekly basis, provide unlimited data storage, include continuous software updates, and ensure all data and contract work products become City property.

The contract term is one year with four one-year renewal options exercisable at the City's sole discretion. Pricing shall be itemized and annualized over a five-year horizon, broken down by SaaS licensing, implementation costs at key milestones, and post-implementation annual costs for helpdesk support, system monitoring, maintenance, and updates.

The City will conduct a two-phase evaluation: Phase One identifies the top three proposals for shortlisting based on value and breadth of service (25 points), quality control (15 points), experience and technical competence (30 points), cost (15 points), stability and references (5 points), and ability to meet work plan and timelines (10 points). Phase Two involves oral presentations and demonstrations by shortlisted vendors, who bear all travel expenses. The City reserves the right to award without vendor presentations and to reject any or all proposals.

Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Technology Professional Errors and Omissions/Cyber Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence. All data must remain within the United States, and data breach notification is required within 24 hours of discovery. The City retains termination-for-convenience rights with ten days' written notice.