REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of Lawrence, Kansas

Planning Department

 

 

Project scope:

The Lawrence/Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is accepting written statements of proposals from qualified transportation consultants to assist planning staff with conversion and update of the regional travel demand model.

 

Proposals due:       3:00 p.m.

                             June 10, 2005

Submit five (5) copies of proposal.  In addition, an electronic version (MS Word or PDF format) of the proposal shall be submitted to bahrens@ci.lawrence.ks.us

 

Submit to:              City of Lawrence Planning Department

                                    6th East 6th Street

                             P.O. Box 708

                             Lawrence, Ks  66044

 

City Contact:                      Bill Ahrens, Transportation Planner

                             (785) 832-3155

                             (785) 832-3160 (fax)

 

Proposal:               The initial work to be performed is to convert and calibrate the MPO travel demand model from the current QRS II modeling package into TransCAD. Following conversion into TransCAD, the consultant will work with MPO staff and KDOT to modify the model to create additional Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ), adding additional links to the model network as needed or as requested. Existing and future year zonal data will be developed by MPO staff in consultation with consultants and KDOT.

 

Scope of Work:  

·         Convert existing QRS II model into TransCAD and calibrate to achieve comparable results. The existing QRS II model has approximately 300 centroids, 18 external stations, and 1,575 total links.

·         Working with MPO staff and in consultation with KDOT, determine locations of additional existing and proposed links to be added to the model network to conform to the adopted Major Thoroughfare Map(s).

·         Modify Traffic Analysis Zones as necessary to accommodate the network changes. TAZ data will be reallocated as necessary through a consultative process with MPO staff and KDOT.

·         Assist MPO staff as needed to develop TAZ data for new zones or to reflect land use changes.

·         Run travel model assignments as needed and as requested by MPO staff.

 

 

Background:             The City of Lawrence has an adopted long-range transportation plan, Transportation 2025, and a calibrated QRS II travel demand model with 1998 base year and 2025 adopted plan networks. Significant regional development requires that the travel model be updated and refined to enable staff to perform necessary analyses for growth corridors in the region. In addition, the MPO has requested that staff be able to perform scenario testing of alternative land use plans and to analyze impacts of additional facilities in areas that the current model cannot accommodate.        

 

Proposal

Requirements:       Work Team Qualifications and Experience: The consultant must be experienced in travel demand modeling using the QRS II and TransCAD modeling software. Sufficient information shall be provided to indicate the consultant’s qualifications, recent experience, and ability to perform work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

                             Project Organization and Approach: The consultant shall identify the key personnel associated with the project throughout its duration, including the Project Administrator, Project Manager, and any other key technical personnel.  An experience resume must be provided for each person that details specific work experience related to a project of this nature.  Also included shall be a description of their availability to work on this project.  The proposal shall describe the work each key person will perform and identify their office location.  The project approach shall be detailed in the proposal to the extent possible and include any issues of concern to be considered.

 

Level of Effort: The proposal shall include an estimate of the costs and hours to complete required tasks.

 

Schedule: Proposals shall indicate schedules for completion of work, including City and KDOT staff review. 

 

                             Client References: At least three (3) and not more than five (5) previous client references shall be provided in the proposal.  The consultant shall provide the name, address, telephone number and title of a contact person familiar with the work of the consultant on a similar project and who can be contacted by the City of Lawrence.

 

Selection Process: Upon receipt of proposals, a review by City staff will determine those firms who will be selected for further negotiations or an interview.  Qualified applicants may be contacted for additional information if needed.  A selection/negotiation committee will recommend a consultant to the City Commission based upon their qualifications.  Following the selection of a consultant a scope of services, project schedule and contractual agreement will be negotiated.

 

Selection criteria will be applied as follows:

 

1.      Capability to perform all aspects of each portion of the project (staffing, schedule, etc.).

2.      Recent experience in travel demand modeling and transportation planning and analytical review of models.

3.      Understanding of the community and its relationship to the proposed projects.

4.      Qualifications and reputation as an experienced consultant in the field of travel demand modeling and transportation planning.

5.      Quality of previous projects of a similar nature.

6.      Ability to meet schedules within project budget.

 

Estimated hours and hourly rate information, to include breakdown of direct and indirect costs, shall be used to determine appropriate billing rates to assist in the evaluation of the consultant’s understanding of the work and final negotiations of a contract.