RFP #2022-011A Public Involvement Services For Creating & Conducting A Rider & Non-Rider Survey

Notice To Respondents

Greater Portland Transit District (GPM) Request For Proposals Public Involvement Services For Creating & Conducting A Rider & Non-Rider Survey.

RFP #2022-011A Public Involvement Services For Creating & Conducting A Rider & Non-Rider Survey

Greater Portland Transit District (GPM) is accepting proposals for Public Involvement Services For Creating & Conducting A Rider & Non-Rider Survey until Friday, March 18, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Please note the proposals will not be opened publicly due to the current COVID health crisis. Proposals received after that date and time will not be accepted.

Firms interested will need to submit a proposal and pricing electronically to Shelly Brooks at sbrooks@gpmetro.org. Proposals received after that date and time will not be accepted. Please note that Metro administrative offices are closed to the public and non-essential staff is working remotely or partially remotely. Thus, all communication is being handled electronically for this RFP process. RFP packages and any subsequent addenda will be emailed to registered firms, and proposals will have to be submitted via email.

Firms must be registered with the Metro Finance Office in order to submit a package.  To register, email lshaw@gpmetro.org  or call 207-517-3020.  Receipt of this document directly from Metro indicates registration.  Should a firm receive this Request from a source other than Metro, please contact Metro to ensure that your firm is listed as a vendor for this RFP.

General Scope

Metro is soliciting proposals from qualified survey research firms for services related to creating and conducting an extensive rider and non-rider survey as well as analyzing survey data and preparing a variety of reports for management and board of directors.  In order to guide Metro’s future planning for service expansion and reevaluation, a thorough understanding of our existing riders’ as well as non-riders’ current travel patterns, typical schedules, vehicle ownership, and other characteristics is required in order for Metro to generate data-driven plans for service expansion and route planning. Metro seeks to conduct a rider and nonrider survey to better understand these trends.

This work will constitute a three (3) year contract consisting of two separate survey efforts: One in Spring 2022, and another in 2023 or 2024.

Questions

All questions should be made in writing and directed to Mike Tremblay, Director of Transit Development, by email at mtremblay@gpmetro.org and be received no later than Thursday, March 10, 2022. Questions received after this time will not be answered before the submission deadline. No verbal instructions or clarifications will be provided to any Respondent. Any questions or requests for clarification will be answered in the form of written Addendum and sent to all registered firms by March 11, 2022. Acknowledgment of any addendum is required with the proposer’s submission.

Federal Requirements

Metro receives funding from the Federal Transit Administration and as such is required to follow federal procurement regulations and to require its consultants and contractors to understand and adhere to those requirements. Vendors should also be aware of FTA requirements for contracts, attached as part of this solicitation in APPENDIX 1, which will be included in the contract with the successful proposer.  

The selected firm, based on the final cost negotiated in their agreement, will be required to sign “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Other Ineligibility, and Involuntary Exclusion”, as enclosed in this RFP.   

Vendors should note that following announcement of an award decision, all submissions in response to this RFP will be considered public records available for public inspection pursuant to the State of Maine Freedom of Access Act.  Unless indicated by the proposer in their submission, Metro will not undertake to determine whether any proposal or part of any proposal is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure.

Insurance and Indemnification

The successful proposer shall agree to defend, indemnify and save Metro harmless from all losses, costs or damages caused by his acts or those of his agents.  Before signing the contract, the successful proposer will produce evidence that they have secured Public and Automobile Liability insurance coverage in amounts not less than $400,000 per person and occurrence for bodily injury, death and property damage, protecting the contractor and Metro, and naming Metro as an additional insured from such claims; Worker's Compensation insurance; and Professional Liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 for errors and omissions.

Reservation of Rights

Metro reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or to waive any informality, should it be deemed in the best interest of Metro to do so.

During the evaluation process, Metro reserves the right to request additional information or clarifications from proposers.  Vendors are also noticed that Metro, as required by FTA, will conduct a check with the System for Awards Management (SAM) for any disbarment or disqualification from being awarded work that is paid for with federal funds.   Vendors are encouraged to register in SAM if they have not previously done so.

Metro reserves the right to retain all packages submitted and to use any ideas in a package regardless of whether that firm is selected.  Submission of a package indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in this request, unless clearly and specifically noted in the package submitted and confirmed in the contract between Metro and the selected firm.

It is the custom of Metro to pay its bills within 30 days following acceptance of the work, and following the receipt of correct invoices for all items covered by the contract.   Metro is exempt from the State's sales and use tax as well as all Federal excise taxes.

February 24, 2022                                                                               Shelly Brooks, Finance Director

METRO encourages participation by small, women owned, minority, and disadvantaged businesses and supports non-discriminatory, equal-opportunity employment by its contractors.

Contact Person

Registration: Lauren Shaw, Executive Assistant, lshaw@gpmetro.org
Questions: Mike Tremblay, Director of Transit Development, mtremblay@gpmetro.org
Final Submission: Shelly Brooks, Finance Director, sbrooks@gpmetro.org

Qualifications

Complete RFP emailed after registration is complete.

Plan Holder List

Affirm Agency
Pewaukee, WI 53072

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
Medford, MA 02155

Morris Communications, Inc. (WBE)
Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Pan Atlantic Research
Portland, Maine 04101

Portland Research Group
Portland, Maine 04101-4777

University of Southern Maine Cutler Institute
Portland, Maine 04102

Resource Systems Group Inc.
White River Junction, VT 05001

Etc Institute
Olathe, KN 66061

CEO CJI Research, LLC
Columbus, OH 43215

Zilo International Group LLC
Centennial, OH 80122

Allied Solutions Enterprise
Carmel, IN 46032

Westat
Rockville MD 20850

NovaTech
Sainte-Julie, QC J3E1Z4, Canada

FHI Studio
Hartford, CT 06103