Addition 1

Posted: 3/29/2022

Type of Addition: Pre-Submittal Attendance List, Presentation PowerPoint and Recording

Overview: Due to a clerical error, the zoom meeting recording only captured the DBE and Scope of Work portions.  

Documents:

• Login to view documents
• Login to view documents
• Login to view documents

Addition 3

Posted: 4/9/2022

Type of Addition: Addendum No. 2

Overview: The Addendum No. 2 consists of submittal deadline extension, Shapefiles for Avondale and Goodyear Boundaries, and Q&A as of April 6, 2022

Deadline: 5/3/2022 5:00 PM

Documents:

• Login to view documents
• Login to view documents
• Login to view documents

Addition 5

Posted: 5/10/2022

Type of Addition: In Review

Addition 7

Posted: 8/5/2022

Type of Addition: Notice of Intent to Award

Overview: Thank you to all respondents of the above referenced Request for Proposals. The City intends to enter into a contract for Avondale-Goodyear Microtransit Services. The Selection Committee has scored and ranked the submittals and recommends an award be made to the highest-ranked firm: First Transit, Inc. If you have any further questions regarding the selection process you may contact the Procurement Office. We appreciate your interest in doing business with the City of Avondale.

Documents:

• Login to view documents

Question 1

Posted: 3/24/2022

Question: To be more inclusive of the diverse range of vendors working on proven and innovative new models for delivering microtransit, is the City open to alternative proposals that would achieve similar program goals by leveraging non-dedicated fleets of vehicles/drivers? The RFP seems to be written with a very specific solution in mind, one that relies on a pool of vehicles and drivers specifically dedicated to a single program. A non-dedicated service model that takes advantage of available capacity within an existing network of transportation providers may be a more cost-effective solution in lower-density areas such as those in the proposed microtransit zones. Furthermore, because the service model leverages existing capacity, there are no upfront capital investments in fleet, labor, or technology. This lowers the barriers to experimentation, which is so critical to the success of innovative mobility pilots.

Response: Per subsection 3.15.3 The selected Vendor should have the ability to surge fleet if demand spikes, such as trip brokerage with TNC, or limited time frame services outside the zone for special events. The City encourages interested vendors to form a partnership. All interested vendors are encouraged to propose solutions that are within the confines of the current scope of work. The RFP requirements are created with City and its residents’ best interests in mind, and they are based on the Maricopa Association of Governments Avondale-Goodyear Transit Study. The study has been provided on City’s Procurement website, Vendor Registry and it’s also available on https://azmag.gov/Programs/Transportation/Transit/Avondale-Goodyear-Transit-Study

Question 3

Posted: 3/24/2022

Question: Exhibit F, Section IV, POST-AWARD RECOMMENDATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS (pg. 82) states: “The Agency has implemented outreach requirements for this Contract. Specifically, the Successful Submitter shall: (1) identify small-business-participation opportunities, including Commercially Useful Functions; (2) actively solicit proposals from small businesses; (3) evaluate small-business proposals; and (4) communicate selection decisions to small businesses, including each rejection of a small-business proposal.” If an offeror intends to include a qualified DBE in their proposal, are they still required to meet the aforementioned outreach requirements?

Response: Yes, Refer to Exhibit F, Section IV, A and B. The successful submitter is required to complete forms EO2 & EO3 documenting the Outreach Efforts.

Question 5

Posted: 4/1/2022

Question: RFP Page 39, Item 3.9.3 - Payment to be verified/validated via smartphone or a physical ticket. What is the intent of a physical ticket?

Response: The intent of the physical ticket is to provide free transfers (day of) to the neighborhood circulator (ZOOM) which has a fare of 50 cents. However, a free fare is planned for implementation for the neighborhood circulator starting in October 2022 on a test basis. These physical tickets will not be used/transfers for any other transit service in the region outside of the ZOOM circulator.

Question 7

Posted: 4/1/2022

Question: What are the estimated ridership levels across these two zones and over the years of the pilot?

Response: Please see page 16 of MAG Avondale Goodyear Transit Study Report. Goodyear does not have ridership history in the zone recommended by the contractor, but Bird scooters have been deployed in the zone since September 2021 and Bird has recently increased their fleet in the city from 25 scooters to 40 scooters.

Question 9

Posted: 4/1/2022

Question: Can the service be provided with a single branded app that represents both cities instead of two apps to reduce customer confusion and the need for two distinct marketing efforts to establish two similar brands in the area.

Response: We require one for City of Avondale and one for City of Goodyear

Question 11

Posted: 4/4/2022

Question: Does the agency own the existing facilities like storage areas? if yes, then please provide details

Response: In Goodyear, the facility would be the Goodyear Park and Ride located at 13183 W. Cornerstone Blvd. FTA has a majority stake in the facility, but Goodyear is responsible for ongoing O&M. In Avondale, the city owns the Avondale Civic Center Complex located at 11465 Civic Center Drive. This facility encompasses several surface parking lots and office space for municipal employees.

Question 13

Posted: 4/4/2022

Question: Do you have any specific rider charges for ADA passengers?

Response: Please comply with ADA law by providing passengers using microtransit with safe, convenient, and comfortable service that is accessible to and usable by ADA passengers.

Question 15

Posted: 4/4/2022

Question: “Vendors shall identify the percentage of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles necessary to meet service demands.” How many vehicles should be WAV compliant out of total fleet?

Response: Please use your experience in similar operating microtransit environments to identify the number of vehicles that should be WAV compliant.

Question 17

Posted: 4/4/2022

Question: What will be the estimated number vehicles used per zone, considering three mentioned in the Avondale Goodyear Transit Study Report?

Response: Please be prepared to adapt to greater usage than the study suggests.

Question 19

Posted: 4/5/2022

Question: Do you want dedicated vehicles for each zones?

Response: Yes.

Question 21

Posted: 4/6/2022

Question: Would the City consider extending the RFP due date?

Response: Yes, the submittal date extension is now Tuesday, May 3rd by 5:00 PM (AZ).

Question 23

Posted: 4/6/2022

Question: Can vendors also submit our own cost breakdown sheet as supplemental information?

Response: Yes.

Question 25

Posted: 4/6/2022

Question: We respectfully request a two-week extension of the proposal deadline to May 3rd, 2022. Given the short timeline between when the City will issue final addenda with answers and the submission deadline, providing all bidders with more time to incorporate the City’s answers will allow for fully-responsive proposals, in the interest of an open and competitive procurement.

Response: Yes, the submittal date extension is now Tuesday, May 3rd by 5:00 PM (AZ).

Question 27

Posted: 4/6/2022

Question: Can the City please confirm that verified e-signatures will be acceptable for this submission?

Response: We accept wet ink signature or electronic signature in compliance with Uniform Electronic Signature Act by a person authorized to bind the Vendor

Question 29

Posted: 4/6/2022

Question: Given that there is no DBE goal identified for this procurement, can the City explain its rationale for requiring vendors to complete and submit form EO1 with their proposals ahead of the submission deadline, as well as forms EO2 and EO3 three days after award for the successful vendor? Would the City be open to waiving these requirements given the lack of a DBE goal? Alternatively, would the City be open to allowing the successful vendor to submit all relevant DBE documentation two weeks after award?

Response: While there is no formal DBE goal the submission of the E01 form with your bid is mandatory given that this is a federal requirement, and it is mandated by the City of Phoenix who is the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Designated Recipient of the region. Non-submittal of this form will deem the bid non-compliant. The successful vendor must submit forms E02 and E03 three business days after their award.