RFP #2027-CCRTA Operations Management

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) is requesting proposals for transit operations management, technical assistance, innovation, and performance improvement services, with proposals due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and interviews scheduled for the weeks of August 24 and August 31.

The scope covers management of fixed-route services, demand-response (DART and SmartDART), ADA paratransit, and specialized services such as Boston Hospital Transportation across a 15-town service area in Barnstable County. CCRTA currently operates 158 revenue vehicles (30-foot transit buses, 26-foot mini-buses, and vans) serving approximately 596,860 fixed-route trips and 192,659 demand-response trips annually. The contractor must employ existing staff totaling 162 union and 14 non-union personnel unless prior approval is obtained for alternative staffing plans. Labor terms are governed by a labor agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1548, which expires September 30, 2028. The work is performed at 215 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, Massachusetts.

CCRTA operates under a cost-plus management contract model where the authority directly reimburses employee payroll, fringe benefits, and most vendor invoices, with the management fee covering only management services and corporate overhead; limited supplemental billing averages under $10,000 monthly. The contract is funded through Federal Transit Administration grants and Commonwealth of Massachusetts appropriations, with federal procurement and compliance requirements binding all contractors. The selected contractor will commence services October 1, 2026, for an initial five-year term ending September 30, 2031, with three optional one-year extensions through September 30, 2034. The incumbent is MV Transportation, Inc., which has managed the system since 2011. Bidders must identify start-up costs separately, which will receive reduced scoring weight to offset the incumbent's perceived advantage. Proposers must submit signed originals and electronic copies, comply with all FTA and state certifications, and demonstrate capability in data analytics, scheduling optimization, maintenance management, safety programs, ADA compliance, and regional mobility coordination initiatives outlined in CCRTA's ten-year strategic plan. Contractor selection is targeted for September 8, 2026.