Contracting Fixed-Route Bus Transit Service (2018)

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132 Contracting Fixed-Route Bus Transit Service The purposes of this synthesis are to examine the process of procurement and oversight to ensure quality fixed-route bus transit services and to provide summary information and case examples that can be used by transit systems in their decision making process. What constitutes a “good” RFP/procurement process? What are the pitfalls that can occur in the contracting experience and how can these be avoided or resolved? The study will answer these questions by identifying successful strategies and best-practice solutions. As part of this process, we also want to hear from contractors. What constitutes a “good” RFP/procurement process from the contractor point of view? What are the pitfalls and how can these be avoided or resolved? This short survey will help to produce a balanced report that will be useful for all sides. 1. Contact info 2. What are some of the key factors in the decision to submit a bid on an RFP for fixed-route contracting? Not Important At All Not very Important Neutral Important Extremely Important Agency reputation Familiarity with agency Incumbent contractor Need to find maintenance facility System size Clarity of RFP Evaluation criteria Other (please describe) 3. Are there elements of an RFP that encourage your firm to bid? Please give examples. A p p e n d i x e Contractor Survey

Contractor Survey 133 4. Are there elements of an RFP that discourage your firm from bidding? Please give examples. 5. If you could change ONE aspect of the contracting process with transit agencies, what would you change? 6. Are there any lessons learned that would be helpful for transit agencies in preparing an RFP and in the contracting process and procedures? 7. Below are verbatim responses from the “lessons learned” question for transit agencies regarding the proposed local team versus the overall company: 8. From your perspective, where should the agency’s focus be? 9. Respondents to the agency survey mentioned ways to assist the contractor in developing their bids. Two verbatim examples are: 10. Are there other ways to make the process easier for bidders? 11. Is there any other information you would like to share that could benefit transit systems that contract fixed-route service? Thank you for participating. The survey is now complete.