The purpose of this Request for Quotes (RFQ) is to solicit quotes from qualified contractors to conduct a Feasibility Assessment for a Tribal Transit System for the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC/Owner/Tribe), a federally-recognized Indian tribe with its Reservation in Forest County, Wisconsin. This study will ultimately identify the potential transportation systems and/or activities that may be economically viable and environmentally desirable, as well as an invaluable service for Tribal members.

In August of 2016, FCPC submitted an application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation requesting funding under the Section 5304 Statewide Transportation Planning Program to conduct a feasibility study to identify and analyze the potential transit systems most suited to meet FCPC's transportation needs and complete a Transit Development and Implementation Plan.

Unlike most reservations, FCPC's land was designated in a fragmented pattern, similar to a checkerboard. This land designation has served to separate the membership and, over time, three distinct communities have emerged: Stone Lake, Carter, and Blackwell. The distance between these communities is as great as 20-30 miles. A majority of the Tribal government facilities such as the FCP Health and Wellness Center, AODA Department, FCP Family Services, FCP Insurance and FCP Museum and Library are located in the Stone Lake business district. Thus, public transportation services have become critically important to members who may need access to those services.

FCPC currently provides limited transportation services to its membership. Specialized transportation services are available for elderly and/or disabled. In addition, there are several operations that are focused on the transportation of people and goods to a variety of locations. The Tribe also maintains a fleet of approximately twenty vehicles, used by Tribal employees and general members on a first-come/first-served basis. The tribal fleet is insufficient to meet member needs and simply increasing the fleet will not provide a sustainable or long-term solution. FCPC recognizes not only the need for public transportation for its own members, but there is an increasing demand for public transportation within Forest County as a whole.

A feasibility study will help determine the most cost-effective size and scope of the Tribe's public transportation system, identify the feasibility of integrating with other current and planned public transportation services in the region, and provide answers to questions surrounding insurance, routes, fees, budgeting, staffing and necessary vehicles and technology, procurement, hours of operation, service area, affordability, and dispatch services.

The deadline to submit quotes is April 27, 2017 at 4:00 PM.

Copies of the Request for Quotes may be obtained from the FCPC Capital & Community Project Coordinator at PO Box 340, Crandon, WI, 54520, by calling (715) 478-4944, or by e-mail to Michelle.Berdan@FCPotawatomi-nsn.gov.