BACKGROUND
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on Public Transportation (SCOPT) is called upon to provide information for the establishment of policies and positions of the state transportation departments on issues associated with the nation's transportation system. The Committee needs information on a prompt basis through a continuing research project geared to its responsibilities. AASHTO member departments require timely information regarding transit planning, operations, transit delivery, and related matters as state involvement in public transportation continues to grow. This project comprises a program of quick-response research tasks to assist in the fulfillment of SCOPT and AASHTO responsibilities. The research responds to urgent issues relating to public transportation. For example, when any new or revised federal transportation regulations related to transit are proposed or finalized, research is typically needed to develop new methods, processes, and procedures to ensure their effective and timely implementation. In addition, as AASHTO prepares for the implementation of reauthorization legislation, SCOPT will require increased support to carry out its responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of NCHRP Project 20-65 is to provide flexible, ongoing, quick-response research on public transportation issues in support of AASHTO Standing Committee on Public Transportation (SCOPT) activities. This research is designed to develop improvements to analytical methods, decision-support tools, procedures, and techniques employed by practitioners addressing public transportation issues.
Depending on the nature of the research, assistance may be secured through various mechanisms, including: sole source contracts; standard Request For Proposals (RFP) solicitations for larger, more complex projects; or task-order contracts. This request for statements of qualifications and availability will be used to establish at least two task-order contracts to undertake studies in FY 2016 through FY 2019.
The selected task-order contractors will be asked to prepare proposals (i.e., a brief research plan and budget) to carry out studies selected by the NCHRP 20-65 Panel and approved by the AASHTO SCOPT. The proposals will be used to determine which team will be awarded the study under the task-order contract.
INVITATION
Research agencies are hereby invited to express interest in participating as a task-order contractor for NCHRP Project 20-65 by submitting a statement of qualifications and availability for the responsibilities described above. The response should highlight the specific experience and background of the key personnel as they relate to the relevant research area. Respondents shall provide the following:
- A discussion that clearly demonstrates the respondent's understanding of analytical methods, decision-support tools, procedures, and techniques needed and employed by practitioners addressing public transportation issues. This section of the response should be limited to 5 pages.
- The qualifications of the Principal Investigator and other key team members.
- Relevant research accomplishments by the Principal Investigator and other members of the research team.
- A listing of fully loaded hourly rates for the Principal Investigator and other key staff, including consultants or subcontractors.
- A list of other time commitments for the Principal Investigator and other key staff during 2016 through 2019.
BASIS FOR SELECTION
It is the intention of the NCHRP to select two or more contractors for this task-order engagement. Task-order contractors will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated understanding of the subject area.
- Demonstrated qualifications, experience, and availability of the Principal Investigator and key research team members.
- Clarity and completeness of the qualifications statement.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver clear, concise, and implementable products in formats appropriate for target audiences of transportation practitioners.
STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The panel will meet in June 2016 to select contractors to perform the work.
