RFP #25-33, Purchase, Installation, & Maintenance of Cashless Fare Software & Equipment

Henry County is seeking proposals for RFP #25-33 to purchase, install, and maintain a cashless fare software and equipment system for its Transit Department. The procurement involves implementing a cloud-based Electronic Fare Payments Solution (FPS) that will enable mobile phone-based electronic passes, smart card functionality, and integration with existing vehicle hardware and trip planning applications. The project requires furnishing and installing mounted validators on 33 transit vehicles, with 36 total mounted handheld devices for paratransit vehicles and fare inspection. Vendors must be currently registered and active with SAM.gov and comply with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant requirements. The proposal evaluation will be based on method of approach (30 points), proposed solution and functionality (30 points), capability and qualifications (30 points), cost proposal (5 points), and DBE participation (5 points), with potential additional points for oral presentations. Key dates include a question deadline of December 27, 2024, and proposal submissions due by January 31, 2025, at 3:00 PM local time, to be received at Henry County Purchasing Department, 140 Henry Parkway, Room 209, McDonough, GA 30253.

The solicitation includes a 14% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal, though this goal is encouraged but not mandatory. The project requires a 5% bid bond and 100% performance and payment bonds, with a one-year warranty period on all installation work and system hardware/software. The current transit fleet consists of Ford Cutaway buses used for paratransit/demand response services, with plans for future fixed route services. The system must integrate with VIA scheduling software, which is currently used for CAD/AVL and trip planning functions. The county completed 59,428 trips in the last fiscal year, with a fare structure of $2.00 for riders 60 and older, $4.00 for riders 59 and younger, and $5.00 for micro-transit zone trips. The system will be fully cashless, with no cash payments accepted from riders. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project, including software, hardware, installation, and maintenance, suggests a significant investment in modernizing the county's transit fare collection infrastructure.