The City of Goldsboro

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The City of Goldsboro, North Carolina, acting as the Lead Planning Agency for the Goldsboro MPO

Request for Qualifications October 2013

Goldsboro MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update

Proposal Due By: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 3:00pm EST

www.goldsboronc.gov

THE CITY OF GOLDSBORO October 14, 2013 Dear Prospective Consultant: The Goldsboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (GMPO) is seeking a qualified firm to assist in development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) update. The selected consultant will review the current Long Range Transportation Plan for compliance with state (North Carolina) and federal regulations based on the current Strategic Transportation Investments (HB817). An update is critical to accommodate present and future travel demand in the GMPO study area. The contents of the plan will be based on the most current federal regulations and any newly passed federal regulations. In addition the selected consultant will also be required to update and calibrate the GMPO travel demand model. The selected firm will work closely with city staff, county staff, NCDOT, FHWA and stakeholders to provide the final product. The final product will address all modes of transport including automobile, bicycle, pedestrian, transit, air, rail, and freight movements. This plan will pick up where the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan left off, incorporating new planning factors established in the most recent federal transportation authorization legislation. Direct questions related to the Goldsboro MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update RFQ submittal criteria to Jennifer Collins, Senior Planner at (919) 580-4327. Selection of a consultant(s) or a consultant team(s) will be based upon qualifications and experience. The MPO reserves the right to reject all proposals submitted, cancel the solicitation requested under this notice, and/or re-advertise for these services. Additional information about City of Goldsboro can be found at www.goldsboronc.gov. I look forward to the opportunity to review your proposal. Jennifer K. Collins

Senior Planner City of Goldsboro

INTRODUCTION The City of Goldsboro, North Carolina, acting as the Lead Planning Agency for the Goldsboro MPO, is soliciting proposals for professional planning services for the development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update previously known as the Long Range Transportation Plan. The selected firm must be experienced in multimodal transportation planning and travel demand modeling using TransCAD and have sufficient qualifications and expertise to perform the required modeling and planning tasks in a timely manner in conjunction with the Goldsboro MPO staff. BACKGROUND The Goldsboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (GMPO) planning process includes all of the requirements for MPO’s as found in the Federal Highway Act of 1962. The federal government requires a Metropolitan Transportation Plan to be updated every five years to reflect the region’s changing needs and priorities. The 2040 Update builds upon the 2035 Plan which was adopted in September 2009. Since launching the metropolitan planning process in 1970, the federal government has required a cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive planning framework from making transportation investment decisions in metropolitan areas. The Goldsboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) includes the City of Goldsboro, Village of Walnut Creek, Town of Pikeville, and surrounding areas of Wayne County. OBJECTIVE This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the preparation of a comprehensive multimodal, Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Update for the GMPO Planning Area. The MTP is intended to help further community goals and improve transportation facilities and services in the Goldsboro Urban Area by:  Basing the transportation system on existing and projected land uses, development patterns, and community comprehensive plans.  Improving the multi-modal (motorized and non-motorized) transportation of people and goods.  Providing a safe, efficient, accessible, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing transportation system. The MTP will be prepared primarily by the consultant but cooperatively with MPO staff, and is subject to review by technical parties and citizen input.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION In 2009, the Goldsboro MPO adopted a comprehensive update of its multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Transportation Plan. This document was prepared in compliance with State and Federal requirements. For this proposed project, the GMPO would like to incorporate an update of all applicable planning elements contained within the 2009 update. The goal of this is not to replicate every element of past planning efforts, but rather to validate and enhance each multimodal element while developing a financially constrained plan. The Transportation Plan should incorporate multimodal elements, including transit, bicycle, pedestrian, freight, aviation, rail, and highways. Furthermore, GMPO would like to emphasize the interaction between transportation and land use, and the design of transportation facilities to be more consistent with the community context and the most recent adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Goldsboro Metropolitan Transportation Plan update will have a 2040 planning horizon with interim horizon years of 2020 and 2030 (incremental phasing) and a Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) Vision Plan. Each phase will be supported by estimates (i.e., financial plan) for implementation cost and revenue projections. A strong public involvement approach will be required not simply to meet federal requirements, but to engage local citizenry in a meaningful and collaborative way. This effort will include developing an extensive outreach program to target community groups not typically involved with such planning processes. Local stakeholders including transportation service providers, government entities, system users, and others, such as low and moderate income residents and minorities should be involved in a meaningful and productive manner throughout the preparation of this plan. The selected firm must be proficient in handling public outreach efforts through multiple channels, such as public forums, surveys, and group interaction. All required federal and state guidelines applicable to an effort of this nature will be followed. However, the transportation plan and model development will consider the impact of possible future non-attainment status. The update should support future air quality planning efforts, if and when they become necessary. The project will include several major tasks, including community involvement, development of goals and objectives, development and evaluation of alternative scenarios based on needs, a financial plan, CTP inventory for all modes of transportation and final documentation. The MTP should also incorporate existing plans, highway projects, and planned development activities within the region. The planning process described below will be communicated to GMPO through regular interim reports and updates, in addition to occasional meetings and other forms of communication. The consultant shall prepare final documents which include the completion of tasks under “Scope of Services Requested” in addition to graphics, charts, tables, and illustrations. The consultant will respond in a timely manner to comments that result from the state/federal/public review. A minimum of ten final reports with text printed on both sides of paper and legible maps with

legible insets (along with digital copies of the report and graphics) of the MTP will be prepared and submitted to GMPO. SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUESTED Develop Study Design The consultant shall refine the Scope of Services based on a review and discussion with GMPO staff. Revisions may include a reassignment of responsibilities for portions of the project to GMPO staff, the consultant, or other partners. Revisions to the Scope of Services will be determined jointly by the consultant and the GMPO project manager. General Coordination and Project Administration The consultant will establish project control through the preparation of a project work plan and holding a kickoff meeting with the GMPO project manager and local planning staff. Through this process, the consultant will establish the contact and protocol procedures as well as create a study contact list. The consultant will provide a direct line of communication with GMPO and gain a mutual understanding about the objectives, responsibilities, and assumptions made for this project. This task also will include ongoing project administration. Update Socioeconomic Data and Traffic Analysis Zones The consultant shall work with the MPO staff to update the socioeconomic data and traffic analysis zone (TAZ) structure of the current travel demand model. This may include adding, splitting, or adjusting existing zones. The modifications to the model will be facilitated using the existing TransCAD modeling platform. The new design year for the model should reflect the 2040 planning horizon for this study and a CTP Vision Plan scenario. The consultant shall provide recommendations for adjustments to data used in the model development. Community Involvement The consultant will conduct a comprehensive and meaningful public involvement program that provides extensive public information and education, as well as a variety of participation opportunities for the general public and stakeholder groups. This process will ensure that the goals, objectives, transportation options, policies, and strategies developed through this project reflect the needs and concerns of the public. The consultant will prepare a Public Involvement Program, which will include a schedule for all public involvement activities including Title VI/Environmental Justice outreach. The consultant will work with GMPO staff, member jurisdictions, and regional stakeholders to develop a list of non-traditional or hard-to-reach groups and identify potential community linkages in order to include these groups in the focus groups, public meetings, and outreach program. The consultant will document public input received and provide a description of how it is integrated into the LRTP. Develop Goals and Objectives Partnering with GMPO and member agencies, and with input from the public involvement process, the consultant will develop a set of regional goals and objectives for the transportation plan development. The goals and objectives developed in this task will be used to evaluate future transportation investments. The goals must be reflective of the public's desire for a viable future

multimodal transportation system, while at the same time supportive of basic system-level performance measures such as: sustainability, mobility/accessibility, safety, economic development, environmental quality, and quality of life issues. These goals will also reflect future system performance requirements and acceptable or desirable conditions for all residents of the region, and be compatible with MAP-21(Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century) performance measures. The Metropolitan Transportation Planning process, alternatives analysis, and final plan will be developed to reflect these goals and objectives. Assess Needs and Determine Constraints Based on public input, analysis of existing conditions, results from the travel demand model, and a review of current and projected system deficiencies, the consultant will work with GMPO staff to assess the short and long term needs for development of improvements to the transportation network. This assessment of needs will include all modes of travel, including automobile, transit, bicycle/pedestrian, aviation, rail, and freight. Environmental, Social, and Cultural Screening The consultant will work with GMPO and NCDOT staff to develop an environmental, social, and cultural screening process to evaluate alternative strategies and specific projects. This process will be applied throughout strategy and project identification, selection, and prioritization. The goal of this task is to ensure that these factors are taken into account early in the project development process. Develop and Evaluate Alternative Strategies The consultant will work with GMPO staff in the development of alternative strategies for meeting short and long term transportation needs. These initial alternatives will include consideration of multimodal approaches, including road system expansion, transit system development, ridesharing, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, accommodation of freight, system management and maintenance, land use assessment, system connectivity, and inter-modal connections. This effort will include the applicability of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Regional Architecture contained in the North Carolina ITS Strategic Deployment Plan. Consideration will be given to the design of the transportation network and its interaction with land use. Performance measures and evaluation criteria will be identified to measure the relative merits of each alternative. The alternatives will be reviewed and revised with input from GMPO staff and the public. A preferred alternative will be selected based on its relative merits. Develop Future Multimodal Plan Based on the preferred alternatives identified through the evaluation process, the consultant will work with GMPO staff in the development of a fiscally constrained future multimodal plan. This will include the development of policies and guidelines for the implementation of the plan. The plan also will include recommendations for the prioritization of projects within the plan and the phasing of completion of the project. The plan will include illustrations of recommended roadway cross sections and any other facilities for which a particular design is preferred. This task will include the use of the 2040 TransCAD model to test and develop a future year model roadway network. The consultant shall work with the MPO to develop an alternative

roadway network with necessary attributes for modeling. This network will be developed for the TransCAD modeling platform, and may include additions and modifications to the existing network. Loaded network and Volume/Capacity Maps will be generated for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 and CTP Vision Plan. Develop Cost Estimates The consultant will work with GMPO to develop cost estimates for all projects to be included in the preferred alternative. Costs will include engineering/environmental, construction, and (where applicable) operations and maintenance. The documentation for this section will include a description of the cost estimation methodology used, as well as the assumptions regarding the design and scheduling of projects in the plan. This task will be completed in close coordination with GMPO and NCDOT staff. Develop Financial Plan The consultant will work with GMPO staff in the development of a financial plan for the implementation of the multimodal plan. This will involve forecasting future revenues from existing sources and programs, and estimating how alternative revenue sources and financing strategies can be utilized to meet the region's transportation capital and operating needs. Revenue forecasts will be developed for the 2040 design year and include fiscal projections for 2020 and 2030. Forecasts will be developed for individual funding categories including highway, transit, freight and intermodal resources provided by FHWA, FTA, NCDOT, matching local grant and dedicated funding sources and internally generated revenues. The consultant will work with GMPO on the methodology to develop forecasts of alternative revenue sources and financing strategies. Project Documentation The consultant will prepare a final report documenting methodologies and recommendations for the MTP update. GMPO will have final determination on content and wording of the document. The consultant shall provide the final report in both hard copy and electronic versions. At a minimum, the hard copy will include background, existing conditions, system analysis, financial plan, implementation plan, graphics, and financial tables. At least one copy of the final report will be provided unbound to facilitate reproduction by GMPO. The consultant may be asked to develop and give presentation(s) of the MTP to the GMPO – Transportation Advisory Committee and City Council for review and approval. END PRODUCT The plan update shall be presented in a format and language that are user-friendly and easily comprehended and accessible to the general public. The consultant shall make an effort to minimize the use of technical planning jargon. The extensive use of maps, graphics and other devices that will enhance the readability and ease-of-use of the Plan update is required. The format for Metropolitan Transportation Plan update shall consist of both text (Microsoft Word and PDF) and maps (ESRI GeodataBase, Shape Files and Mxd format) in an 8-1/2” x 11” three ring binder format that lends itself to future annual amendments. Maps shall be produced

in a format of 24” x 36”, with the capability of being legibly reduced to 11” x 17” for inclusion in the binder. The consultant shall deliver the draft and final documents in both hard copy and electronic formats that allow easy reproduction, direct web readiness and the ability for staff to edit. The Goldsboro MPO shall retain all ownership rights to the final products however the consultant may retain any work and reproduce without limitation for inclusion in a portfolio. The draft and final report of the plan shall be submitted as follows: 1. Ten (10) printed, bound, color copies; 2. An unbound reproducible original copy; 3. CD-ROM of the final report in a printer ready and editable format that includes all text, GIS Data and graphics in a format (ESRI) compatible with those programs utilized by the City. QUALIFICATIONS The qualified consultant shall possess a minimum of ten years of long range transportation planning experience for government programs of equal or greater size to Wayne County, experience leading public input forums of various sizes and formats, excellent communication and graphic skills, experience in outreach and involvement campaigns, an intimate knowledge of the transportation field and professional certification and registration in the planning and/or engineering profession. PROJECT SCHEDULE Notice to Proceed for this project will be given as soon as a contract with the selected consultant has been executed and all state and federal requirements are met. The project will be completed by August 2014. PROPOSAL CONTENT Any firm wishing to be considered for providing the services described in this RFQ shall submit six (6) bound copies of their submittal along with the following information to the following address on or before the proposal deadline of 3:00pm, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 in order to be considered. Teams composed of two or more firms should combine their statements into one package. Jennifer Collins, Senior Planner City of Goldsboro P. O. Drawer A Goldsboro, NC 27533 Due to the time limitations of the Selection Committee members, please limit your submittal to 25 pages. Proposals longer than 25 pages may be removed from consideration. Tab dividers, cover page, letters of commitment from subcontractors will not be counted toward page limit.

The first item in all submittals shall be a cover letter identifying a contact person for the RFQ process and their information including phone, fax, e-mail address, and mailing address. Please note: The MPO will be using MPO Planning Funds to assist in funding of the final product. The MPO will be working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to ensure that a qualified firm is obtained through an equitable selection process and that the prescribed work is properly accomplished in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. The MPO will be following the policies and procedures for utilizing professional or specialized services as established by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. These policies and procedures were established as a guide for the preparation, execution and administration of contracts for professional or specialized services that exceed $30,000. The Selection Committee will consist of the City of Goldsboro’s Assistant City Manager, Wayne County’s Planning Director, City of Goldsboro’s Planning Director, City of Goldsboro’s Senior Planner, City of Goldsboro’s Traffic Engineer, Goldsboro’s Urban Area MPO Coordinator and a Federal Highway Administration Representative. Proposals should include information on the following evaluation criteria: Qualifications: Each submittal shall include a detailed statement of qualifications that is concise, well organized and demonstrates the qualifications and experience of the firm or firm team applicable to the project. This shall include a brief description of similar experience with Long Range Transportation Plans that the firm has undertaken in the past three (3) years with: a. The full name of the agency the work was prepared for. b. The name, address, and phone number of the agency employee who coordinated the project. c. The beginning and ending date of the project. d. The project cost. Firms are encouraged to provide input and make suggestions about elements not included herein that might benefit the plan. Those suggestions, and their costs, should be included but listed in a separate section. e. The method used for soliciting public input. Project Approach: A description of how the Consultant will approach individual and collective tasks necessary to address the proposed scope of work with particular attention to methods proposed for public participation. This description is to include delineation of specific tasks to be undertaken in each project activity and a project schedule showing start and completion dates for all major tasks. Management and Staffing: A detailed outline of the management plan to be used including an organizational chart indicating staff proposed for this project, staff availability, roles and responsibilities, etc. A brief resume of the individuals involved in the project must be included. Any sub-consultants shall be identified as such and resume information and a company profile provided for each (inclusion of resumes will not be counted toward the 25 page limit). Project Example: Include a copy of a comparable Long Range Transportation Plan that your firm has completed. (This will not count toward the page limit.)

Consultant’s Expectations of the MPO: A brief description of the services and tasks the Consultant would expect the Goldsboro MPO to provide. SELECTION OF FIRM All qualified firms will be given consideration. After reviewing qualifications, if firms are equal on the evaluation review, then those qualified firms with proposed SPSF (Small Professional Services Firms) participation will be given priority consideration. Small Professional Services Firms (SPSF) shall be given consideration in the procurement of planning, engineering, and design related service contracts. North Carolina Department of Transportation will have aspirational goals for DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) on federally funded projects and aspirational goals for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) for state funded projects. These aspirational goals vary from year to year. The firm, sub-consultant, and sub-firm shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, age, disability/handicap or sex in the performance of a contract. The Selection Committee shall evaluate each firm responding to the request of qualifications. The Selection Committee may select three (3) firms deemed most qualified from those indicating interest (except where fewer than three (3) are available). The following factors will be used in evaluating Consultant’s proposals and awarding of the contract: 1. Project Experience – Consultant’s project specific experience in dealing with long range transportation planning. 2. Firm History & Capability – Does the work plan show that the consultant has the ability and will commit sufficient resources, to accomplish the required tasks, to coordinate work with local and MPO staff, and the availability of adequate support staff and material resources. 3. Qualification of Team Members – Identify key personnel who will perform critical portions of the MTP as identified in a work plan; and their past experience of value to the effort. 4. Project Approach – How well the team approaches updating the transportation plan. 5. Approach to and previous accuracy of cost estimating. 6. The ability of the firm to perform the proposed work. 7. References. A “short-list” of consultants will be selected for interviews with the selection committee. The interviews will be conducted in December 2013. Following the interviews, a recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration in January 2014. The City reserves the right to negotiate with the firm of its choice and to require substitution of sub-consultants and/or staff persons as part of the negotiation.

CONFIDENTIALITY Responses to the RFQ will become public records and, therefore, will be subject to public disclosure. However, North Carolina General Statute’s section 132-1.2 provides a method for protecting some documents from public disclosure. If the Consulting firm follows the procedures prescribed by those statutes and designates a document confidential or trade secret, the City will withhold the document form public disclosure to the extent that is entitled or required to do so by applicable law, and will return the document after selection. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The City of Goldsboro acting as the lead planning agency does not discriminate in administering any of its programs and activities. The consultant awarded the contract for work will be required to insure that no person shall be denied employment, fair treatment or be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, or handicap. CONTRACTING Any contract developed for work shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any controversy or claim arising as a result of contracting shall be settled by an action initiated in the appropriate division of the General Court of Justice in Wayne County, North Carolina. CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS The MPO expects to select a consulting firm from the proposals submitted, but reserves the right to request substitutions of firms. The MPO also reserves the right to reject any or all responses to the RFQ, to advertise for new responses, or to accept any response deemed to be in the best interest of the MPO. A response to this RFQ should not be construed as a contract or an indication of a commitment of any kind on the part of the MPO nor does it commit either to pay for costs incurred in the submission of a response to this request or for any cost incurred prior to the execution of a final contract. The MPO reserves the right to dismiss any part or all of the contracted team when, in the MPO’s opinion, the project is not moving as scheduled or is hindered in any way by the actions or personalities of team members. E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT North Carolina General Statutes, specifically §160A-20.1(b), prohibit the City from entering into contracts with contractors and subcontractors who have not complied with the requirement of Article 2 of Chapter 64. The Contractor shall submit the E-Verify Affidavit included with this document. Quotes/Bids that do not include this Affidavit will be considered non-responsive.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CITY OF GOLDSBORO

AFFIDAVIT of COMPLIANCE with N.C. E-Verify Statutes

I, ________________________________ (hereinafter the “Affiant”), duly authorized by and on behalf of ____________________________________ (hereinafter the “Employer”) after being first duly sworn deposes and says as follows: 1.

I am the __________________________ (President, Manager, CEO, etc.) of the Employer and possess the full authority to speak for and on behalf of the Employer identified above.

2.

Employer understands that “E-Verify” means the federal E-Verify program operated by the United States Dept. of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, or any successor or equivalent program used to verify the work authorization of newly hired employees pursuant to federal law.

3.

____

Employer employs 25 or more employees in the State of North Carolina, and is in compliance with the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §64-26. Employer has verified the work authorization of its employees through E-Verify and shall retain the records of verification for a period of at least one year.

____

Employer employs fewer than 25 Employees and is therefore not subject to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §64-26.

4.

All subcontractors engaged by or to be engaged by Employer have or will have likewise complied with the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. §64-26.

5.

Employer shall keep the City of Goldsboro informed of any change in its status pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Further this affiant sayeth not. This the _______ day of _______________, 20____.

______________________________ Affiant STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ____________________ Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the _____ day of _____________, 20____. ______________________________ Notary Public My commission expires: ____________________

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