Active SLED Opportunity · OHIO · CENTRAL OHIO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (COTA)
AI Summary
COTA seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive ADA paratransit services including vehicle maintenance, scheduling, and fare collection. The contract involves managing a fleet of 90 vehicles and operating from the Mobility Facility in Columbus, Ohio. Proposals will be evaluated on personnel qualifications, experience, service design, cost, and cybersecurity. Submission includes technical and cost proposals with detailed requirements.
The contractor is responsible for all aspects of service operation including, but not limited to, reservation services, maintenance of vehicles, hiring and training of all operations and maintenance personnel, scheduling and dispatching the service, road supervision, fare collection and reconciliation, statistical reporting, subcontractor management and related tasks. COTA is responsible for contract oversight, client eligibility screening and enrollment, marketing and community outreach services, customer relations, operations software and supporting hardware, radio/AVL equipment, revenue, facility and maintenance of the operating facility.
COTA currently provides sixty (60) Mainstream revenue vehicles to the Contractor for use under the contract. Please see attached file titled “2025 COTA Paratransit Vehicle List” for information on these vehicles. An additional thirty (30) vehicles are currently provided by a subcontractor. The combined fleet total is ninety (90) dedicated vehicles. Maintenance for these subcontracted vehicles is performed at the Mobility facility, but the vehicles are not parked here when not in service. COTA owns the Mobility Facility (located at 1330 Fields Ave, in the city of Columbus, Ohio). The facility was completed in January 2011. It has a fueling station (for diesel fuel), storage areas for supplies, administrative offices, maintenance area, bus wash, and indoor vehicle storage facility capable of housing the paratransit vehicles. The maintenance area includes six (6) maintenance bays. Please see attached file titled “COTA Paratransit Facility” for additional information. The Mobility facility houses the staff associated with the Paratransit operation, including both Contractor staff and COTA staff.
COTA will evaluate the qualifications of personnel proposed for this engagement based on their relevant experience, technical expertise, and demonstrated ability to perform the required services. Consideration will be given to the roles and responsibilities of key personnel, the relevance of their experience to the scope of work, professional credentials, and the adequacy of staffing levels. Proposals will also be assessed on the proposer’s ability to ensure continuity of personnel and provide qualified backups to support successful project delivery.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s past experience based on the relevance, scope, and complexity of prior engagements with government organizations, transit agencies, and similar public-sector entities. Consideration will be given to demonstrated experience with projects of comparable size and complexity, familiarity with applicable regulations and funding requirements, successful project outcomes, and the proposer’s ability to apply lessons learned to COTA’s project. Proposals that clearly demonstrate relevant, recent, and verifiable experience will be rated more favorably.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s approach to the design, development, and implementation of the proposed service based on the clarity, feasibility, and effectiveness of the methodology presented. Consideration will be given to the proposer’s understanding of COTA’s needs, the soundness of the proposed design, the appropriateness of development processes, and the ability to implement the service in a timely, coordinated, and controlled manner. Proposals will also be assessed on risk management, quality assurance, stakeholder coordination, and the proposer’s ability to deliver a functional, sustainable solution that meets COTA’s operational and performance requirements.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s overall strategic approach and methodology based on the clarity, coherence, and alignment of the proposed strategy with COTA’s objectives and operational needs. Consideration will be given to the proposer’s understanding of the scope of services, the soundness and integration of the proposed methodology, and the ability to translate strategy into effective execution. Proposals will be assessed on innovation where appropriate, practicality, adaptability to changing conditions, and the extent to which the approach demonstrates a clear path to achieving successful and measurable outcomes for COTA.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s understanding of COTA’s business plan and long-term vision based on how clearly and accurately the proposal reflects COTA’s strategic goals, operational priorities, and organizational context. Consideration will be given to the proposer’s ability to align the proposed services with COTA’s mission, strategic initiatives, and future direction, as well as to demonstrate how the engagement will support COTA’s short- and long-term objectives. Proposals that show a strong, thoughtful understanding of COTA’s vision and articulate meaningful alignment will be rated more favorably.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s project management approach based on the clarity, completeness, and practicality of the methodology presented. Proposals will be assessed on how effectively the approach addresses resource allocation, risk identification and mitigation, schedule management, progress monitoring, issue resolution, and quality control. Emphasis will be placed on the proposer’s ability to demonstrate structured governance, realistic staffing plans, proactive risk management, clear communication protocols, and measurable controls to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of the engagement.
COTA will evaluate the proposer’s approach to cybersecurity and data protection based on the strength, completeness, and clarity of the controls described. Proposals will be assessed on how effectively the proposer safeguards COTA’s physical and digital assets, protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, and mitigates cybersecurity risks throughout the engagement. Consideration will be given to demonstrated security governance, data handling practices, access controls, incident response procedures, compliance with applicable standards and regulations, and the proposer’s ability to securely manage and protect information shared with COTA.
Cost proposals will be evaluated using a comparative scoring formula. The proposer submitting the lowest total cost will receive the maximum cost score. All other cost proposals will be scored proportionally using the following formula:
Lowest cost submitted ÷ proposer’s cost submitted × 5 = cost points awarded
Cost proposals must be complete and submitted in accordance with the RFP instructions. Only cost proposals deemed responsive and reasonable will be considered in the cost evaluation.
At COTA’s discretion, and if deemed necessary, selected proposers may be invited to participate in presentations or interviews as part of Phase 2 of the evaluation process. This phase is intended to provide proposers an opportunity to clarify and expand upon information contained in their written proposals and to demonstrate their understanding of the project, proposed approach, and team capabilities.
Presentations or interviews may include discussions of the proposer’s methodology, project management approach, key personnel, relevant experience, and implementation strategy, as well as responses to questions from the evaluation committee. Participation in Phase 2 does not guarantee award.
If Yes, identify each subcontractor and describe the scope of services to be performed, the subcontractor’s qualifications and experience, and the proposer’s approach to managing and overseeing subcontracted work.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Please Upload your TECHNICAL response, including any and all required forms listed in the solicitation and the corresponding attachments.
**Do not upload cost information in here. You will have another opportunity to upload cost in the subsequent section.
Please upload your detailed Cost Proposal here. You must submit pricing on Attachment B - Pricing Sheet. This file should be separate from your Technical Response. COTA has included an annual trip demand forecast to help refine pricing.
Important: Ensure this document includes all pricing, fee schedules, and cost-related information required by the solicitation. If you do not use the attached (Attachment B) pricing document, you will be considered non-responsive.
Please upload your complete proposal as a single document. This file must include both your Technical Response and your Cost/Pricing Proposal.
Note: Ensure all required sections, including exhibits and signed affidavits, are integrated into this single upload unless otherwise specified in the "Required Documents" section below.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
This document must be physically signed and notarized to be accepted.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
This document must be physically signed and notarized to be accepted.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
This document must be physically signed and notarized to be accepted.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
This document must be physically signed and notarized to be accepted.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Enter the name and title of the respondent’s authorized official that will be charged with signing the awarded contract.
Enter the number of years the Vendor’s firm has been in business.
Provide the Vendor’s gross annual receipts for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Please enter a CAGE Code if applicable.
CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity. A unique CAGE code is assigned to all businesses and individual's that complete the System for Award Management registration process. This "system" is a database that contains information about all active government contractors.
Enter the full name, title, and email address of the authorized company representative submitting the proposal on behalf of the Vendor.
By confirming, the Vendor agrees to Net 30 payment terms as set forth in the Terms and Conditions.
Upload a tracked-changes (redlined) version of the Contract Terms and Conditions included in the solicitation.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the Agency deeming your response non-responsive or requiring withdrawal of unapproved redlines during contract negotiations.
By certifying, the Bidder certifies that they are duly authorized to submit this proposal on behalf of the Vendor.
What is the proposed contract term (years)?
What is the proposed contract term (months)?
Enter the total number of one-year option periods to be included beyond the initial base term.
Do not include the base term in this number.
Option years must be supported by budget planning and operational need.
Each option year must be exercisable at COTA’s sole discretion.
If federal funds are involved, ensure the total potential contract term (base + options) complies with applicable federal regulations and does not create an impermissible multi-year commitment without funding availability.
If no option years are anticipated, enter “0.”
Enter the Delivery Date (or Completion Date)
Select the payment method that best aligns with the anticipated contract structure and scope of work. The payment method should reflect the level of scope definition, risk allocation, and funding source.
Firm Fixed Price (FFP): Use when the scope is clearly defined and deliverables are measurable.
Unit Price: Use when quantities may vary but pricing per unit is established.
Time & Materials (T&M) / Labor Hour: Use only when the scope cannot be fully defined in advance. A not-to-exceed ceiling must be established.
Cost Reimbursement (CPFF, CPIF, etc.): Requires justification and financial oversight; typically used for complex or research-based services.
Milestone / Deliverable-Based: Payments tied to completion and acceptance of defined phases or deliverables.
Progress Payments: Generally used for construction projects based on percentage of completion.
Subscription / Recurring Fee: For SaaS, licensing, or ongoing support services.
Select the evaluation and award methodology that will be used to determine the successful proposer. The selection method must align with applicable federal, state, and agency procurement requirements.
Best Value (Trade-Off): Award is based on a combination of technical merit, experience, and price, where higher technical quality may justify a higher cost.
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA): Award is made to the lowest-priced proposal that meets all minimum technical requirements.
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS): Used for Architectural & Engineering services. Firms are ranked based on qualifications only, and price is negotiated with the highest-ranked firm.
Competitive Range & Best and Final Offer (BAFO): A shortlist of the highest-rated proposers may be established for discussions, clarifications, and the submission of revised proposals prior to final evaluation and award.
Fixed Budget / Feasibility Selection: A maximum budget is established in advance, and proposals are evaluated based on technical merit and feasibility within the stated budget constraint.
Enter the DBE participation percentage established for this contract.
Enter the maximum page limit for the proposal submission (excluding required notarized forms and the separate price proposal).
Prompt: * Select YES: If you want vendors to upload one single file containing everything.
Select NO: If you require the Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal to be uploaded as two separate files.
Select YES: If you want vendors to fill out an itemized pricing grid (unit prices, quantities, etc.) directly within the OpenGov platform.
Select NO: If you only require a lump sum total or a separately uploaded cost document without an integrated platform table.
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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