RFP 88-26 The MBTA's Paratransit Dedicated Service Providers

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is requesting proposals for Dedicated Service Providers to operate The RIDE paratransit service across 58 cities and towns in the Boston metropolitan area, with proposals due August 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM via COMMBUYS. The MBTA will award contracts to no fewer than two and no more than four providers. This is an ADA paratransit solicitation with no set-aside or preference program restriction; bidders compete on technical capability and pricing.

Bidders may propose for any combination of five service levels representing 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% of total annual service hours, with target award hours ranging from approximately 274,560 to 1,094,520 hours annually depending on service level and contract year. The RIDE operates 365 days annually, serving approximately 1.9 million trips in 2025 across 700 square miles. Scope includes vehicle operation, fleet maintenance, driver recruitment and training, compliance with FTA and ADA regulations, drug and alcohol testing per federal mandate, pre-employment background screening (including felony and driving record evaluation, with individualized assessment of felony convictions and misdemeanor assessment within three-year windows), and safety-sensitive employment practices. The MBTA provides all revenue vehicles (approximately 700 to 800 vehicles including Ford E-350 cutaway vans, Ford Flex crossovers, and Ford Transit Connect vans), in-vehicle technology (Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tablets with Spare Driver App and Orion Push-to-Talk, plus Sonim backup communication devices), fuel cards, and E-ZPass access. Contractors must maintain comprehensive general liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation insurance with A- or better A.M. Best rating; umbrella limits have been increased from $20 million to $25 million. Performance-based penalties and incentives apply quarterly based on operational metrics, safety compliance, and service delivery standards. Key personnel (General Manager, Safety Manager, Training Manager, Operations Manager, Maintenance Manager) must be 100% dedicated.

The contract encompasses a seven-and-a-half-year base period (January 1, 2027 through June 30, 2034) with a six-month mobilization and transition period, plus two optional two-year extension periods. Compensation is based on service hours delivered; fuel is reimbursed at AAA Boston metro area daily average rate. Technical proposals are weighted as bidder experience and past performance (15%), management and administration (30%), service delivery (20%), safety (10%), and supplier diversity (25%). Bidders must achieve a minimum average score of 2.0 on technical criteria to advance to price evaluation. The pre-bid conference is July 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams (optional attendance). Questions are due July 29, 2026, with official answers published by August 4, 2026. Responses will be evaluated between September 28 and October 2, 2026, with contract execution anticipated in December 2026 and service start estimated for June or July 2027. A Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement must be executed by July 14, 2026.