A&E Services for Bond Hill Garage Expansion

SORTA is seeking to engage a qualified firm to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering design services for the renovation and expansion of the existing Bond Hill garage facility.

The selected firm will be responsible for advancing the project from concept through final design, including refinement of the preferred design, and preparation of complete construction documents and technical specifications.

Background

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (“SORTA”), commonly known as Cincinnati Metro, is a regional transit authority established pursuant to Section 306.30 et seq. of the Ohio Revised Code. As such, SORTA is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio.

SORTA delivers a range of public transportation services, including fixed-route mass transit, paratransit, and micro-transit. Its service area encompasses the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and portions of Butler, Clermont, and Warren Counties.

SORTA operates 48 fixed bus routes, utilizing a fleet of approximately 300 transit buses. In addition, it provides paratransit services with a fleet of 60 vehicles and micro-transit services with 30 vehicles, ensuring accessible and flexible transportation options across the region.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 039-2026
• Department: Development
• Department Head: Khaled Shammout (Chief Strategic Planning and Innovation Officer)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-05-06T18:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-05-13T20:00:00.000Z
• Pre-Proposal Meeting: 2026-05-01T14:00:00.000Z — 4700 Paddock Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229

Addenda

• Addendum #1 (released 2026-04-20T16:18:21.173Z) —

  Update to the pre-proposal meeting: changed from virtual to in person site visit:  Friday, May1st 10:00am EST to 12:00pm EST.  Timeline has also changed to accommodate the update for the site visit.  Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.

Evaluation Criteria

• Firm Experience (Subjective) (300 pts) —

  Firm Experience – Firm experience in regard to the type of project and relative field, such as non-profit and/or transit related experience. Provide vital data such as, but not limited to, years of experience, title, and similar projects.

  Subconsultants' Experience – Provide the subconsultant experience who will be working on the project with vital data such as, but not limited to, years of experience, title, and similar projects.

• Firm Qualifications (Subjective) (250 pts) —
  Firm Qualifications – Provide the firm qualifications and ability to handle a project of this type and size. 
   
  Subconsultants' Qualifications– Provide the subconsultant qualifications who will be working on the project. 
• Staff Qualifications & Experience (Subjective) (250 pts) —

  Staff Capacity – The overall capacity of the staff assigned to handle a project of this type and size.

  Competency of Staff to Perform Work – Demonstrated competency of staff to perform the work required for this project. 
   
  Availability of Staff to Perform Work – The ability of staff to be available to SORTA staff to work on this project. 
   
  Organizational Chart - Provide all key personnel who will be assigned to this project and the roll each member will be assigned. This should include any subconsultants assigned to the project. Provide vital data including, but not limited to, years of experience, title, and similar projects. 
• Project Approach (Subjective) (200 pts) —

  Demonstrated Understanding of SORTA/Metro’s Needs for this Project – Evaluate, assess, and understand the requirements put forth by SORTA to determine all areas of need in regard to this project.

Submission Requirements

• Vendor Information
• Submission Requirements (required) —

  All required fields must be completed, including all documents. Please read the instructions on the documents for instructions on filling out required forms. Failure to submit required forms may result in being deemed non-responsive. 

• Authorized Company Representative (required) —

  Enter full name of the authorized company representative certifying and submitting this bid

• By confirming, Bidder certifies that they are the authorized representative (required) —

  Any electronic confirmations herein shall be as binding as a signature from the authorized representative.

• System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (required) —

  Please enter your company's Legal Name and/or dba Name:

• System for Award Management (SAM.gov) —

  Please enter a CAGE Code if applicable.

  CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity, and a unique CAGE code is assigned to all businesses and individuals that complete their System for Award Management (SAM) registration. This “system” is a database that contains information about all active government contractors.

• Ohio Auditor of State (required) —

  Enter your Legal Entity Name for Verification in the Ohio Auditor of State Website.

• Payment Remittance Address (required) —

  Please type in the following format: Name, Address, City, State, Zip code, Phone Number, Email.

• Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (required)
• NAICS CODE (required) —

  Please enter your NAICS Codes

• Payment Terms (required) —

  You agree to NET 30 Terms as stated in our Terms and Conditions. 

• Age of Firm (required)
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) (required)
• DBE Certification (required) —

  Upload DBE certificate from certifying agency

• Small Business Certification (required)
• XBE Certification (required) —

  If Certified Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, please upload a copy of the certificate from the certifying agency.

• Annual Gross Receipts (required)
• Technical Proposal (Volume 1)
• Proposal (required) —
  1. Project Approach
     1. This file shall describe the proposer’s approach to providing the services requested per the scope, understanding SORTA’s requirements for this project, and reflecting its experience in performing similar contracts for other clients. Proposers may offer an alternative solution to the requirements specified in the scope of work herein, provided that such alternative meets SORTA’s needs as described herein.
  2. Firm Qualifications, Experience and References
     This section should contain a description of the proposing firm’s prior and current experience as it pertains to services similar to those required hereunder.
     1. It should include a list of all similar assignments undertaken in the past 5 years, identifying the duration, the client, and the scope of the contract.
     2. Contact information (name, title, mailing address, and email, telephone and fax numbers) for each client or reference should be included.
     3. Provide a summary of the firm’s qualifications, general information about the firm, location of office(s), years in business and areas of expertise.
  3. Staffing (Qualifications, Experience and Availability)
     Identify key staff and include a description of their abilities, qualifications and experience.
     1. Attach resumes of key staff to be assigned to this project. Include a proposed project management structure and organization chart. Please list the number of full-time staff by discipline.
     2. Identify any portion of the scope of work that would be subcontracted. Include firm qualifications and key personnel, telephone number and contact person for all subcontractors.
        
        SORTA/Metro reserves the right to approve or reject any internal staff or subcontractors proposed by the firm.
• Evaluation Criteria (required) —

  I have read and reviewed the evaluation criteria and understand what is required within the proposal.

• Business Proposal (Volume 2)
• Business Proposal (Volume 2) (required) —

  Please upload copies of the following certificates below:

  • Cover Letter
  • Worker's Compensation
  • General Liability Insurance
  • Automobile Insurance
  • Crime Coverage (including theft, fraud and computer fraud)
  • Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Insurance
• Acknowledgment Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters (required) —

  This Acknowledgment is required to be submitted to SORTA on behalf of the principal bidder/proposer and all Subcontractors whose subcontracts are reasonably anticipated to exceed $25,000 in value.

  1. The Bidder/Proposer/Subcontractors ("Attester") certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that the Attester and/or any of its principals or Subcontractors:
     1. Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency;
     2. Have not, within a three-year period preceding this bid/proposal, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain or performing a public (Federal, State or Local) transaction or contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes, or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen property; and'
     3. Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in Paragraph 2 above; and
     4. Have not within a three-year period preceding this bid/proposal had one or more public transactions (Federal, State or local) terminated for cause or default by any federal agency.

  "Principals", for the purposes of this acknowedgment, means officers, directors, owners, partners, and persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager, plant manager, head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).

  This acknowledgment concerns a matter which may be within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under Section 1001, Title 18, United States Code.

  • The Attester shall provide immediate written notice to SORTA's Procurement Department if, at any time the Attester learns that its acknowledgment was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.
  • A certification that any of the items in Paragraph A exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be considered in connection with a determination of the Attester's responsibility. Failure of the Attester to furnish a certification or provide such additional information as requested by SORTA may render the Attester non-responsible.
  • Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by Paragraph A. The knowledge and information of an Attester is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.
  • The certification in Paragraph A is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Attester knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to SORTA, SORTA may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

  If the Attester is unable to acknowledge to any of the statements in this certification, it shall attach an explanation to this acknowledgment.

• Personal Property Tax Affidavit (required) —

  Please download the below document, complete, and upload. This document needs to be notarized.

• Certification and Restrictions on Lobbying (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

  Acknowledging the Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

  The undersigned Contractor certifies, to the best of his, her or its knowledge and belief, that:

  1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
  2. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for making lobbying contacts to an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form--LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions [as amended by "Government wide Guidance for New Restrictions on Lobbying," 61 Fed. Reg. 1413 (1/19/96). Note: Language in paragraph (2) herein has been modified in accordance with Section 10 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-65, to be codified at 2 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.)]
  3. The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

  This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by 31, U.S.C. § 1352 (as amended by the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995). Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

  [Note: Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 1352(c)(1)-(2)(A), any person who makes a prohibited expenditure or fails to file or amend a required certification or disclosure form shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such expenditure or failure.]

  The Contractor, certifies or affirms the truthfulness and accuracy of each statement of its certification and disclosure, if any. In addition, the Contractor understands and agrees that the provisions of 31 U.S.C. A 3801, et seq., apply to this certification and disclosure, if any.

  The Standard Form--LLL can be found at the following:

  Disclosure of Lobbying Activities | GSA

• Non-Collusion Statement (required) —

  The Bidder guarantees that the Bid submitted is not a product of collusion with any other Bidder, and no effort has been made to fix the Bid price of any Bidder or to fix any overhead, profit, or cost element of any Bid price.

  If SORTA determines that collusion has occurred among Bidders, none of the Bids from the participants in such collusion shall be considered. SORTA’s determination shall be final.

• Project Completion (required) —

  Offeror can meet the required delivery/completion date as specified in this solicitation.

• Exceptions and Deviations or Acceptance to Contractual Terms (required) —

  The proposer may identify any potential deviations from SORTA's Terms and Conditions as outlined in this Request for Technical Proposal (RTP) or suggest any supplementary terms deemed pertinent. Any such proposed deviations or additional terms should be stated clearly and accompanied by a comprehensive and clear reason for the exception or inclusion. It is imperative to acknowledge that certain terms herein are mandated by legal statutes or regulations, rendering them non-negotiable.

  In the absence of any proposed exceptions or deviations from SORTA's Terms and Conditions, kindly submit a document explicitly confirming acceptance of the stipulated Terms and Conditions.

• Acceptance of Federal Terms and Conditions (required) —

  As an authorized representative of the company, hereinafter called the "Company", I agree to all Federal Terms & Conditions (T&C's), which are included in the attached solicitation package.

• MetroMax Small Business Participation Plan
• MetroMAX Small Business Plan (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. This form must be completed and include prime firm and all subcontractors regardless of Small and Disadvantaged Business status. 

  MetroMAX Goal for this Project: 

  15% Percent

  The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has established MetroMAX, a small business program designed to encourage participation by small businesses in all contracts. The mission of MetroMAX is to uplift small businesses and strengthen our region by expanding access to meaningful opportunities at Metro and beyond. Through this program, SORTA is committed to fueling local economic growth by providing procurement opportunities, training, and resources that empower small, emerging, and disadvantaged businesses to grow, compete, and thrive.

  SORTA has identified subcontracting opportunities that may be suitable for small businesses under this solicitation. SORTA has established a participation goal of 15% percent to help promote meaningful opportunities on this project. Accordingly, each bidder/proposer is expected to make meaningful efforts to engage small and disadvantaged businesses in the performance of this contract.

  Only firms certified as small businesses by a recognized third-party certifier will count toward the participation goal. Proof of certification must be submitted with the bid or proposal; self-certification will not be accepted.

  It is the policy of SORTA to promote equal opportunity and fairness in all its procurement matters, in accordance with state and federal laws, so that small businesses have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in all contracts. SORTA will never exclude any person from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against anyone in connection with the award and performance of any contract on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin.

  It is also our policy to:

  1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of contracts
  2. Create a level playing field on which small businesses can compete fairly for SORTA contracts
  3. Help remove barriers to the participation of small businesses in SORTA contracts; and
  4. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of SORTA’s small business program.

  Good Faith Efforts

  Bidders/proposers are strongly encouraged to make good faith efforts to include small businesses in the performance of this contract. Where required, Bidders/Offerors must document sufficient small business participation to meet the above goal or, alternatively, document adequate good faith efforts made to do so.

  Good faith efforts are those that could reasonably be expected to result in small and disadvantaged business participation attainment by a bidder or proposer who aggressively and actively seeks to obtain certified small and disadvantaged business participation.

  It should be noted that only firms certified as small and/or disadvantaged businesses by a third party certifying entity will count toward small and diverse vendor participation. Proof of certification must be provided at the time of bid/proposal submittal. Self-certification will not be accepted.

  BID REQUIREMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • In addition to any other requirements contained in this Invitation for Bid/Request for Proposal, the bid must include:
    • A complete Small Business Participation Plan that sets forth the extent of small business involvement in this procurement. Participation Plans must include the following:
      • Names and addresses of the firms (prime and subcontractors) that will participate in the contract.
      • The dollar amount or percentage of the participation of each named firm.
      • A description of the work each named firm will perform.
  • Only certified entities certified by a third party are eligible for inclusion in a plan.

  XBE Certifications from certifying agency must be uploaded for all prime and subcontractors.

• MetroMAX Small Business Participation Plan (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. This form must be completed and include prime firm and all subcontractors regardless of Small and Disadvantaged Business status. 

  The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has established MetroMAX, a small business program designed to encourage participation by small businesses in all contracts. The mission of MetroMAX is to uplift small businesses and strengthen our region by expanding access to meaningful opportunities at Metro and beyond. Through this program, SORTA is committed to fueling local economic growth by providing procurement opportunities, training, and resources that empower small, emerging, and disadvantaged businesses to grow, compete, and thrive.

  SORTA has determined that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not available under this solicitation. Therefore, a formal small business participation goal is not recommended. While not mandatory, bidders/proposers are strongly encouraged to make efforts to include small and disadvantaged businesses in the performance of contracts when feasible to maximize participation of certified small businesses as subcontractors, subconsultants, and suppliers where subcontracting opportunities are available.

  It is the policy of SORTA to promote equal opportunity and fairness in all its procurement matters, in accordance with state and federal laws, so that small businesses have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in all contracts. SORTA will never exclude any person from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against anyone in connection with the award and performance of any contract on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin.

  It is also our policy to:

  1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of contracts
  2. Create a level playing field on which small businesses can compete fairly for SORTA contracts
  3. Help remove barriers to the participation of small businesses in SORTA contracts; and
  4. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of SORTA’s small business program.

  If prime or subcontractor is an XBE, upload the certifications from certifying agency

• Small and Disadvantaged Business Plan Set Aside (required) —

  SORTA has determined that small and disadvantaged business opportunities are available for this solicitation. SORTA has set a goal of 100 percent (100%) for small and disadvantaged business participation for this project. As such, only certified small and disadvantaged businesses may participate in this solicitation. This goal is formally referred to as a small and disadvantaged business opportunity, or “set-aside”.

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. This form must be completed and include prime firm and all subcontractors regardless of Small and Disadvantaged Business status. 

  Bidders/offerors are expected to make good faith efforts to maximize socially and economically disadvantaged businesses as subcontractors, subconsultants and suppliers in the performance of this contract. Bidders/Offerors must document sufficient small and disadvantaged business participation to meet the above goal or, alternatively, document adequate good faith efforts made to do so.

  Only firms certified as small and/or disadvantaged businesses will count toward small and diverse vendor participation. Proof of certification must be provided at the time of bid/proposal submittal. Self-certification will not be accepted.

  The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has established a Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program that encourages diversity and inclusion on all contracts. It is the policy of SORTA to promote equal opportunity and fairness in all its procurement matters, in accordance with state and federal laws, so that small and disadvantaged businesses have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in all contracts. It is also our policy to:

  1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of contracts
  2. Create a level playing field on which small and disadvantaged businesses can compete fairly for SORTA contracts
  3. Help remove barriers to the participation of small and disadvantaged businesses in SORTA contracts; and
  4. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of SORTA’s small and disadvantaged business program.

  SORTA is committed to fostering small and disadvantaged business participation in contracting opportunities. As such, bidders/proposers are expected to make reasonable efforts to support inclusivity in staffing and subcontracting, to support SORTA’s mission.

  Only firms certified as small and/or disadvantaged businesses will count toward small and diverse vendor participation.

  Proof of certification must be provided at the time of bid/proposal submittal. Self-certification will not be accepted.

  Upload a copy of the small and disadvantaged business certificate from the certifying agency.

• Prime or Subontractor Small Business Certification —

  If Certified Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, please upload a copy of the certificate from the certifying agency.

   

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Plan (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. This form must be completed and include prime firm and all subcontractors regardless of DBE status. 

  DBE Goal for this project: NO VALUE percent

  It is the policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation that socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (DBEs), as defined in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, shall be afforded an opportunity to participate, to an extent reflective of their availability in the performance of contracts financed in whole or part with Federal funds under this agreement.

  This contract is subject to the requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs. The national goal for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) is 10%. SORTA has specified a DBE goal as stated above for the work to be performed under this contract.

  Bidders/offerors are required to make diligent efforts to maximize participation of DBE firms and other small and disadvantaged businesses, as subcontractors and suppliers, and shall report its participation so obtained throughout the period of performance. Bidders/Offerors must document sufficient DBE participation to meet the above goal or, alternatively, document adequate good faith efforts to do so, as provided for in 49 CFR 26.53.

  The contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 26 in the award and administration of this contract. Failure by the contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach of this contract, which may result in the termination of this contract or such other remedy as the municipal corporation deems appropriate. Each subcontract the contractor signs with a subcontractor must include the assurance in this paragraph (see 49 CFR 26.13(b)).

   

  Vendor must upload DBE Certification from certifying agency with DBE Packet.

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Packet (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. This form must be completed and include prime firm and all subcontractors regardless of DBE status. 

  It is the policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation that socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (DBEs), as defined in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, shall be afforded an opportunity to participate, to an extent reflective of their availability in the performance of contracts financed in whole or part with Federal funds under this agreement.

  This contract is subject to the requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs. The national goal for participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) is 10%. SORTA has NOT specified a goal for the work to be performed under this contract.

  Contractor shall make diligent efforts to maximize the participation of DBE firms and other small and disadvantaged businesses, as subcontractors and suppliers, and shall report its participation so obtained through race-neutral means and participation by other small and disadvantaged businesses throughout the period of performance, utilizing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Plan attachment, as contained in the solicitation.

  The contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 26 in the award and administration of this contract. Failure by the contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach of this contract, which may result in the termination of this contract or such other remedy as the municipal corporation deems appropriate. Each subcontract the contractor signs with a subcontractor (if applicable) must include the assurance in this paragraph (see 49 CFR 26.13(b)).

  If Prime or Subcontractor is a Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, upload a copy of the certificate from the certifying agency.

• Contract Term (required) —

  Enter the length of the contract term

• Is this Federally Funded (required)
• Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Requirements (required)
• Enter the DBE Goal (required) —

  Formatting example: "fifteen (15)"

• Enter the XBE Goal (required) —

  Formatting example: "fifteen (15)"

• Set Aside of 100% XBE Participation (required) —

  Select Yes if this is a 100% Set Aside 

• Does this project require XBE certifications? (required) —

  NOTE: LOCALLY FUNDED PROJECTS ONLY

• Enter the required certificates (required)
• For how many days the pricing will be valid for? (required) —

  
  

• Firm Qualifications, Experiences and References (required)

Questions & Answers