Requests for Proposals for Bus Advertising Services

The Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive bus advertising services for its fixed route bus fleet of 50-54 transit buses through a Request for Proposals (RFP) released on February 27, 2025. The procurement aims to secure a vendor responsible for selling and managing exterior and interior bus advertising spaces, with specific ad size specifications for street side, curb side, and rear bus locations. The selected contractor will be responsible for advertising sales coordination with the LRTA Administrator and must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience in bus advertising sales, particularly with regional transit authorities. Key procurement dates include bid submissions due by May 7, 2025, a Notice of Intent to Award scheduled for May 23, 2025, contract signing on June 6, 2025, and contract services commencing on July 1, 2025. The contract term is initially set for three years (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028) with potential for a one to two-year renewal at mutually agreed rates, and will involve a revenue-sharing arrangement between the LRTA and the selected vendor.

The procurement includes a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 5.85%, mandating that bidders either meet this goal or provide documentation of good faith efforts to do so. Bidders must comply with various federal regulations, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, Buy America provisions, equal employment opportunity standards, and civil rights guidelines. The RFP documents are available electronically through the Massachusetts COMMBUYS website, with interested parties able to locate the procurement using BSO BID NUMBER: BD-25-2178-LRTAA-ADMIN-115626. While specific revenue projections are not detailed, the contract will be funded through a combination of state, federal, local, passenger, and miscellaneous revenues. Potential bidders are encouraged to email m.obrien@lrta.com for direct updates and to receive additional information about the procurement. The LRTA appears flexible in its approach, as evidenced by multiple addenda that have refined and clarified the original RFP requirements to simplify the bidding process.