RFP - Regional Fare Study Consultant

NEORide, a Council of Governments comprising 36 regional transit agencies across Ohio, is issuing a Request for Proposals to procure a Regional Fare Study Consultant. The primary objective is to analyze the feasibility of developing a unified regional fare structure across participating transit systems, including METRO RTA, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, Medina County RTA, Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, Greater Cleveland RTA, and Laketran. The consultant will develop recommendations for regional fare products, technology solutions, and reconciliation protocols for the EZfare mobile ticketing system, with deliverables focused on creating a fare structure model applicable to Northeast Ohio and potentially replicable across other regions of Ohio and the nation. Key qualifications include demonstrated expertise in transit fare analysis, regional coordination experience, and the ability to conduct a comprehensive 9-month feasibility study. The evaluation will utilize a scored criteria-based selection method distributing points across four areas: Total Contract Price (30 points), Project Understanding and Competency (25 points), Proposed Solution (23 points), and Technical Capacity (10 points). The contract will be awarded for one year commencing in 2025 with federal funding subject to concurrence from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Portal by Friday, December 20, 2024, at 4:00 pm EST, with questions submitted via the Portal's Question and Answer tab.

The RFP includes a non-discrimination statement ensuring that disadvantaged business enterprises will have full opportunity to submit proposals and will not face discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in award consideration. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and professional liability insurance. The successful proposer must integrate with the existing EZfare mobile ticketing system infrastructure currently in use by the participating transit agencies. No specific incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation. The budget or contract value is not explicitly stated in the available documentation; however, funding is contingent upon financial contract execution between NEORide and both the United States Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The right to accept any proposal in whole or in part, or to reject all proposals, is reserved by NEORide.