REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR PLANNING SERVICES
The Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), located in Morgantown, West Virginia, is in need of consulting services to develop a master transit plan for the Greater Morgantown region.
BACKGROUND:
Greater Morgantown is a unique and thriving community boasting a major university, world-renowned research and development facilities, two major health care facilities, companies listed in the Fortune 500, major government offices, excellent outdoor recreational opportunities, convenience to major urban areas, and cultural resources all in the perspective of a small town. The people of Morgantown are greatly committed to transit and see it as one of the most viable ways to deal with growth and congestion in the future.
A major transportation study was completed in 2007, the results of which detailed a comprehensive transportation vision for the region. A major result of this plan details reinforcement of the need for improved transit services to keep pace with the significant growth in population and employment of the area.
The MPO works with Mountain Line Transit Authority and will be partnering with the agency to develop this Master Transit Plan.
In addition to Mountain Line Transit Authority, the MPO works closely with West Virginia University, who operates and maintains the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system between Evansdale and Downtown Morgantown.
The primary scope of work will be:
Issue Formulation: Hold a series of public input meetings (no less than three) to gather opinions on transit issues. Build upon these issues in conversation with the MPO and Mountain Line. Summarize issues and develop preliminary goals.
Data Collection: In conjunction with Mountain Line staff, review existing plans, community growth and development from 1997 to present, and collect data relevant to formulating a comprehensive transit plan.
Data Analysis: Using collected data, formulate growth trends and projected need areas for transit development and expansion. Meet with the the MPO and Mountain Line to communicate these trends and projections.
Development of Goals, Objectives, and Strategies: Review preliminary goals for consistency with data trends and projections. Adjust preliminary goals as needed and develop more detailed objectives to support the revised goals.
Develop Alternatives: Using the goals and objectives, formulate creative strategies to satisfy the data trends and projections. Each alternative should also include financial considerations. Present alternatives to the MPO and Mountain Line.
Develop Plan with Recommended Alternatives: Utilizing input from the public meetings, the MPO, and Mountain Line Transit, develop a final draft plan. This plan will be financially constrained for a ten year planning horizon. Present the plan to the MPO Policy Board and the Mountain Line Transit Authority Board for public hearing and action.
This scope should serve as a general guide for preparing submissions. The MPO welcomes and will consider additional scope items as presented in your proposal.
GUIDING PHILOSOPHY:
The residents of Greater Morgantown are committed to improving traffic conditions for local residents and commuters. In this vein, the MPO hopes to provide an outline of transit options and future implementation possibilities that will allow for more travel alternatives and choices. The terrain of the region, especially in downtown Morgantown, does not allow many opportunities for the traditional grid development patterns enjoyed by many communities.
The MPO is placing emphasis on the relationship between transportation options and land use patterns. A priority of the MPO is to limit the amount of urban sprawl that is generated as a result of this plan, as well as negative impacts that would affect not only the environment but the unique quality of life that local residents enjoy.
All firms interested in being considered for this project must submit seven (7) copies each of: (1) Letter of Interest; (2) Statement of qualifications and experience of staff persons who will be involved in the project; (3) names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least four references, two of which shall include your firm’s most recently completed projects; (4) at least one example of a project of a similar nature; and (5) evidence of license to practice and operate a business in the State of West Virginia.
Proposals shall be submitted to the Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization, 180 Hart Field Road, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26505, by mail or in person by 4:00 p.m., April 13, 2007. Submittals shall be clearly marked on the outside cover or envelope "response to request for proposal: Transit Master Plan." Extra samples of similar work performed by the submitting firm will be useful, but is not absolutely required as a part of the proposal.
All proposals will be reviewed jointly by the MPO and by Mountain Line Transit Authority: The contract will be awarded to the firm considered most reasonably capable of fulfilling the requirements as detailed in this Request for Proposals. Standard and objective evaluation criteria will be used to measure a firm’s performance objectives and work program, the clarity, quality and degree of the anticipated results, planned critical scheduling and budgeting, past experience and results in comprehensive development and revitalization planning, the accessibility and applicable talent of the project staff, overall price, etc. Firms making proposals must be available for personal interviews and, if requested, a project presentation to the MPO. The project manager must be present for the interview.
The Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization will not discriminate against any interested firm or individual on the grounds of race, creed, color, sex, age, disability or national origin in the contract award. The Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization reserves the right to reject any and all proposals at its discretion, thus not awarding the contract to any firm.
Chester Parsons, AICP
Executive Director, Greater Morgantown MPO
(304) 291-9571
parsons@plantogether.org