RESEARCH ADDRESSING EQUITY

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking qualified researchers to conduct a comprehensive research project addressing equity within the transportation planning system, specifically targeting RFP #5400027748 for Richland County. The primary objective is to assess SCDOT's current planning stages, identify best practices, determine spatial distribution of communities needing attention, establish data sources, and develop a process for calculating equity metrics. Key deliverables include a best practices guide, a memo on SCDOT's equity challenges, a methodology document for identifying relevant communities, a memo about data needs and equity measures, and a methodology document for calculating equity metrics. The evaluation criteria are detailed and weighted, with Research Project Experience receiving 30 points, Experience of Principal Investigator earning 25 points, Project Approach and Delivery garnering 20 points, Equity in Transportation Familiarity scoring 15 points, Responsiveness and Availability receiving 10 points, and Team Organization collecting 5 points. Critical dates include a February 6, 2025 deadline for questions, proposal submissions due by February 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM, and an award posting anticipated for March 24, 2025. The initial contract term is one year with potential for four one-year renewals, creating a maximum potential contract period from April 2, 2025 to April 1, 2030.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must submit quarterly progress reports and may be required to provide interim reports, with a final report subject to specific formatting and content requirements. Pricing submissions must include a detailed staffing plan with estimated hours and costs segmented by fiscal year and project phase. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the research project requires integration with existing SCDOT planning infrastructure and data systems. The solicitation requires contractors to provide comprehensive documentation tracking project expenses, including amount spent per quarter, total expenditure to date, percentage of contract spent, and total contract amount. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the research project and the multi-year potential suggest a substantial investment in understanding and improving equity within SCDOT's transportation planning processes. Interested researchers must demonstrate significant expertise in transportation equity, data analysis, and comprehensive research methodologies to be competitive.