The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) is soliciting proposals to assess the feasibility of transportation demand management (TDM) options and recommend an implementation approach, including prioritized actions, proposed timeline, anticipated costs, and responsible entities. The outcomes of this project will advance the recommendations of the 2023 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (https://www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-ECOS-MTP_Adopted_20230517.pdf) and the implementation plan of the Chittenden County I-89 2050 Study (https://envision89.com/) by evaluating the actions and recommendations and developing steps to move the actions towards implementation. Investing in TDM options will also help the State achieve the carbon reduction requirements set forth in the Global Warming Solutions Act (Act 153 as Enacted). This Regional Transportation Options Plan (the Plan) could include scenario evaluations, but it needs to go beyond that to determine feasibility of TDM measures already included in the MTP and the I-89 2050 Study and to recommend specific implementation priorities, steps, timeline, estimated costs, and lead agencies.

Chittenden County is the most populous and fastest growing county in Vermont. Nearly 169,000 residents live throughout 19 municipalities, with populations that range from as small as 43 to almost 45,000. It is also the State's economic hub featuring the largest higher education institution, health care facility, and private sector employer. More than one-third of the County's employees live outside the County.

The CCRPC is one of eleven regional planning commissions (RPCs) serving Vermont municipalities and operating under the Vermont Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act (Title 24, Chapter 117, V.S.A.). RPCs act as a link between municipal and state government. The CCRPC also serves as the only federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State (23 U.S.C. 134, and its adopted bylaws).

PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL RFP FOR COMPLETE DETAILS

Project Purpose

The MTP identified TDM as a major area of investment. Working with local, regional, and state TDM partners to expand TDM programs and services would complement the MTP's recommended investments in walking and biking infrastructure and transit services. These recommendations are supported by the I-89 2050 Study's TDM-focused implementation plan. While it's clear that a range of TDM options are needed for our region and the State to achieve transportation and climate goals, the feasibility of implementing recommendations, and the specific action steps to be taken, need to be defined. The Plan created through this project will be the guidebook for TDM implementation in our region; it will guide CCRPC's role in educating and implementing TDM while identifying the crucial roles that state and local government, TDM partners, and employers play in supporting the larger vision.

Project Objectives

The CCRPC is seeking development of a Plan that will:

• Result in actionable TDM strategies tailored to the needs and goals of the region and promote cohesiveness between existing and planned transportation improvements and regional and local growth patterns.
• Clarify transportation partner/provider/state roles so that existing, planned, and recommended TDM measures are complementary to and in cooperation with each other. This includes describing the potential impacts of Plan recommendations on partner/provider/state TDM efforts.
• Increase transportation equity with a specific focus on the region's vulnerable and marginalized population.
• Educate residents, employers, visitors and others on the value and importance of TDM to improving transportation conditions and meeting mobility needs.

Budget: The maximum limited amount for this effort is $250,000.

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The Technical Proposal should demonstrate that the consultant understands the intent and scope of the study (see Scope of Work Section), the character of the deliverables required for their completion, and the specific tasks that must be performed to supply these services. In addition, consultant qualifications necessary to successfully complete this project should be demonstrated. Please include the following information in the technical proposal:

Cover Letter & Project Abstract

This section should introduce the consulting firm and summarize the consultant's overall understanding of the project and successful experience with similar efforts.

Methodology

This section should address the overall approach to the study goals and specific tasks discussed in the RFP and described in the subsequent Scope of Work (SOW). In addition to the stated SOW tasks, consultants are encouraged to propose additional tasks and methodologies that are relevant and might enhance this Plan. The consultant should give a detailed description for each proposed task, deliverables, and milestones, and provide a time schedule for completion of tasks and deliverables, including key meetings necessary for completing the project; a mix of in person, hybrid, and virtual meetings is acceptable. Please indicate if you are licensed to do business in the State of Vermont. Consultants are not required to be licensed to respond to this RFP but will be required to obtain a license prior to being awarded this contract.

Role of Key Staff and Qualifications

Please provide a summary of the qualifications of your firm with a focus on staff who would be leading this work and confirm their anticipated availability for this work. Clearly identify the project manager and other key individuals assigned to this project and include their function and/or responsibility along with their level of involvement and a list of recent work (within the last 3 years) that is relevant to this type of project.

Costs

Please provide a separate project Cost Proposal (see Cost Proposal Section) including a breakdown of cost by task, proposed staff, and hourly rates of the staff. This cost proposal must be emailed as a separate attachment.

References

Please provide names and contact information for three references who can speak to your qualifications along with a brief description of the work performed for them.

Please submit the Technical Proposal in pdf format by 4:00 pm EST on Friday, December 1, 2023 to Bryan Davis, Senior Transportation Planner, at bdavis@ccrpcvt.org.

SCOPE OF WORK

This Scope of Work section identifies major aspects and tasks associated with this project. Consultants are encouraged to provide suggested changes to the scope that would result in a meaningful Plan. Note that CCRPC staff will manage the day-to-day activities for this project. An advisory committee will be created to oversee and approve the general direction and elements of this project.

Task 1: Agency, Partner, and Public Outreach and Participation

The consultant will develop a collaborative agency, partner, and public outreach process and timeline to gather input and encourage meaningful participation from the public, regional planning partners, stakeholders, and other relevant transportation organizations in the identification of regional TDM needs and recommendations. Outreach will include special focus on the region's vulnerable and marginalized populations and will learn from and build upon inclusive engagement work in current and previous CCRPC projects. The CCRPC will assemble a project advisory committee that will guide the overall process and provide feedback on key components and task deliverables.

Task 2: Regional TDM Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation

The consultant will conduct an inventory and analysis of existing TDM programs and conditions within the region. This will be used to determine regional needs for the development of strategies, programs, and projects to be included in the Plan. The consultant will complete a TDM inventory as well as supporting data collection and evaluation activities such as analyzing regional/local plans and reports, conducting interviews with stakeholders, completing a survey/focus groups with employers, conducting a review of TDM best practices from other areas, etc.

Task 3: Evaluation of the 2023 MTP TDM Recommendations

As part of the I-89 2050 Study, the CCRPC developed a Strategic Model for Chittenden Conty and its commuter shed to assist in a scenario planning effort to evaluate impacts of various policies, investments and strategies that would inform a suite of TDM investments necessary to help meet the regional transportation and climate goals of reducing single occupancy vehicle travel and greenhouse gas emissions.

The VisionEval Regional Strategic Planning Model (VE-RSPM) is a platform that enables evaluation of a host of different conditions as they relate to a particular outcome. The model can be used to identify those conditions or constraints that may collectively lead to the objective. In this case, the VE-RSPM was integrated to help identify the transportation (including TDM policies and programs), land use strategies, and other policies that achieve desired regional reductions in vehicle miles traveled.

For more information on the development of the model and the various scenarios please see Appendix E of the I-89 2050 Study here: https://studiesandreports.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chittenden-County-I-89-2050-Study-Final-Draft-Appendix.pdf.

The adopted 2023 MTP incorporates aspirational TDM and other policies and investments from the I-89 2050 Study (https://envision89.com/), including:

• Increase telework share by 50%
• 90% of households in Existing Developed Areas
• Double walking & biking trips
• Triple transit service
• Increase employer sponsored TDM participation
• Reduce supply of residential parking and increase cost of paid parking
• Implement a mileage-based fee to replace gas tax

The CCRPC recognizes that the proposed 2023 MTP Scenario represents an aspirational future that will require major shifts in transportation policies, investments, financing structures, and behavioral changes. The consultant is expected to evaluate the feasibility of the regional TDM goals and determine the level of investments and regulatory changes in each area that are needed to meet our goals.

Task 4: Development of TDM Regional Strategies and Implementation Plan

Based on information from Task 2 and the outcomes of Task 3, the consultant will identify, make recommendations for, and build consensus around what programs, projects, policies, services, and performance measures will be put in place and implemented over the duration of the Plan to achieve the vision, goals, and objectives of the CCRPC's 2023 MTP.

The Implementation Plan will identify viable short, medium, and long-term strategies to accomplish the TDM goals and should include at a minimum the following components:

• Description and Prioritization of TDM Strategies: Describe the recommended programs, projects, and policies, and prioritize the strategies considering the ease of implementation, anticipated effectiveness, potential equity effects, timeline for implementation, anticipated cost, existing TDM conditions and the expected changes in the region.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Identify organizations that will be the primary implementers of specific TDM strategies and identify other partners that will assist in planning, developing, implementing, and delivering TDM services, programs, and measures.
• Identification of Strategic Partnerships: Identify the required partnerships between CCRPC, member municipalities, the State, public and non-profit sector organizations, and private sector employers to implement the Plan.
• Expected Costs: Estimate the potential costs associated with the recommended programs or projects.
• Funding Sources: Develop a list of potential funding sources to support implementation of each strategy.
• Performance Measures: Recommend output and outcome performance measures aligned with key stages of behavior change (awareness, influence, participation, and impact).

Task 5: Draft and Final Report

The Draft Report will synthesize the outreach and engagement process, data gathered and evaluated, recommended strategies/actions, and implementation action plan. The Draft Plan will be reviewed by the advisory committee and CCRPC staff and presented to the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and the CCRPC Board for comment. Comments received on the draft will be addressed in the Final Report before submitting to the CCRPC Board for final review and acceptance.

COST PROPOSAL

The Cost Proposal should list the prime consultant and any sub-consultants separately and shall include the following:

• A firm fixed price and assigned personnel hours for the completion of each task, including public participation, as detailed in the SOW. Please provide the same information for each additional task proposed.
• A schedule of direct labor hours, direct labor cost per class of labor, overhead rate, and fee for each study task.

Please submit the Cost Proposal as a separate pdf by 4:00 pm EST on Friday, December 1, 2023 to Bryan Davis, Senior Transportation Planner, at bdavis@ccrpcvt.org.

Please email Bryan Davis at bdavis@ccrpcvt.org if you have any questions about this request for proposals. CCRPC will maintain a list of questions and answers on the CCRPC RFP website (https://www.ccrpcvt.org/resources/rfprfqgrants/). Questions will be accepted until Monday, November 13, 2023 with responses posted by Wednesday, November 15, 2023 to ensure all parties have adequate time to review the answers.

EVALUATION & SELECTION

Evaluation criteria:

• Responsiveness to the RFP – 10 points
• Demonstration of overall understanding of the work – 30 Points
• Qualifications of the consultant and assigned personnel – 30 points
• Proven record of successfully completing similar projects – 20 points
• Being a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE), demonstrated partnerships with DBEs, or experience/commitment to addressing racial equity – 10 points

PLEASE REVIEW THE FULL RFP FOR COMPLETE DETAILS