Light Rail and Streetcar Operations

Valley Metro Rail, Inc. ("Valley Metro" ), invites sealed offers for mobilization, operations, and support personnel for light rail and streetcar operations for a three (3) month mobilization period (if applicable), an initial term of five (5) years and one 2-year and one 3-year options to extend for a maximum term of ten (10) years and three months commencing on or about the anticipated mobilization date of April 1, 2027 with a go-live date of July 1, 2027. This procurement serves Valley Metro's strategic plan through operational excellence.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2025-RFP-061
• Department: Transportation
• Department Head: Mike Pal (Chief Transportation Officer)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-09-01T22:00:44.691Z
• Pre-Proposal Meeting: 2026-08-11T17:00:00.000Z — Webex Join meeting: Join from the meeting link https://valley-metro.webex.com/valley-metro/j.php?MTID=m5b2556017cbde582ac6b4e34131cf78e Join by meeting number Meeting number (access code): 2496 234 5974 Meeting password: yQ9ZDqupa73

Evaluation Criteria

• Technical approach and Understanding of the Scope of Work (300 pts) —
  1. The proposal will be evaluated on the Offeror's demonstrated understanding of the operational requirements of the Valley Metro light rail and streetcar system and its proposed methodology for providing safe, reliable, uninterrupted service.
  2. The evaluation will consider the Offeror's operational approach to:
     1. Daily rail and streetcar operations
     2. Operations Control Center (OCC) management
     3. Service recovery and disruption management
     4. Special event operations
     5. Performance management
     6. Reporting and communication protocols
     7. Coordination with Valley Metro staff, maintenance contractors, and public safety agencies
     8. Continuous improvement initiatives
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the work and provide a detailed description of the performance of the tasks described in the SOW.
  4. Provide any recommendations to enhance the SOW contemplated and/or alternative methods to promote efficiency.
  5. Identify any software systems or packages used by Offeror in the performance of this SOW.
• Price (200 pts) —
  1. To allocate price points identified in the evaluation criteria, Offeror’s Price Schedule (Attachment Q) will be used. Each scenario will be scored individually using the following formula:
  2. Lowest price proposal cost for complete operational service divided by the next Offeror's lowest price (proposal under evaluation) multiplied by 140 points equals assigned price factor evaluation points.
     1. Sample Calculation:
        1. Example:
           1. Offeror A’s total cost for the proposal is $3,000,000
           2. Offeror B’s cost is $3,250,000
           3. Offeror C’s cost is $3,500,000
           4. Offeror D’s cost is $3,750,000
        2. Total points available for cost are 140 points.
           1. Offeror A:       $3,000,000/ $3,000,000 x 140 = 1.000 x 140= 140.00 points
           2. Offeror B:       $3,000,000/ $3,250,000 x 140= 0.923 x 140= 129.22 points
           3. Offeror C:      $3,000,000/ $3,500,000 x 140= 0.857 x 140= 119.98 points
           4. Offeror D:      $3,000,000/ $3,750,000 x 140= 0.800 x 140= 112.00 points
  3. Lowest price proposal cost for operational service without the OCC divided by the next Offeror's lowest price (proposal under evaluation) multiplied by 60 points equals assigned price factor evaluation points.
     1. Sample Calculation:
        1. Example:
           1. Offeror A’s total cost for the proposal is $2,750,000
           2. Offeror B’s cost is $3,000,000
           3. Offeror C’s cost is $3,250,000
           4. Offeror D’s cost is $3,500,000
        2. Total points available for cost are 60 points.
           1. Offeror A:       $2,750,000/ $2,750,000 x 60= 1.000 x 60= 60.00 points
           2. Offeror B:       $2,750,000/ $3,250,000 x 60= 0.846 x 60= 50.77 points.
           3. Offeror C:      $2,750,000/ $3,500,000 x 60= 0.786 x 60= 47.14 points
           4. Offeror D:      $2,750,000/ $3,750,000 x 60= 0.733 x 60= 44.00 points
  4. Points earned in each scenario above will then be combined. This aggregate score will be used for evaluation.
     1. Example:
        1. Offeror A’s total points for the proposal is 200
        2. Offeror B’s total points for the proposal is 179.99
        3. Offeror C’s total points for the proposal is 167.12
        4. Offeror D’s total points for the proposal is 156
  5. Offerors are cautioned that award may be made on the initial price submitted without Valley Metro requesting a Best and Final Offer (BAFO).
  6. Mobilization costs will be proposed separately and will not be included in the price scoring. 
• Rail Operations Experience and Past Performance (150 pts) —
  1. The proposal will be evaluated on the Offeror's demonstrated experience operating light rail, streetcar, commuter rail, or comparable fixed-guideway transit systems.
  2. The evaluation will consider: 
     1. Years of experience operating rail transit systems 
     2. Similarity in size, complexity, and service levels
     3. Experience managing OCC operations 
     4. Historical performance outcomes 
     5. Safety performance history 
     6. Regulatory compliance record 
     7. References from current or former transit agency clients 
  3. Describe how similar work performed within the last ten years, as either a prime contractor or subcontractor supports Offeror's ability to successfully perform this SOW. Include the team composition, location and value of such similar work and its relation to this SOW. 
  4. Describe how the firm and team's experience with similar projects and activities comparable to Valley Metro transportation services and address the requirements of this SOW. Include in this description the experience operating all aspects of transportation services, including experience developing and implementing necessary hiring, training and staffing (including project involving typical 49 U.S.C. 5333(b) compliance), experience meeting performance requirements, operating plan, and other contract requirements on similar projects. 
  5. Offerors should provide information on the financial stability and ability to fulfill the multi-year requirements of Valley Metro's Contract. Include as an attachment Offeror's organization’s latest audited financial statements. 
  6. List and describe all transportation services contracts for the past ten years. Provide references including name, title, and agency, address and telephone number.
• Staffing, Recruitment, Training, and Labor Relations Plan (150 pts) —
  1. The proposal will be evaluated on the Offeror's ability to recruit, train, retain, and manage a qualified workforce sufficient to meet contractual requirements.
  2. The evaluation will consider: 
     1. Staffing plans 
     2. Recruitment strategy 
     3. Vacancy management 
     4. Retention programs 
     5. Labor relations approach 
     6. Collective bargaining experience 
     7. Training curriculum 
     8. Certification and recertification processes 
  3. Describe how Offeror's previous experience and plans for Strikes/Walkouts/Work Stoppage(s)/Concerted Work Actions address operational concerns and recovery of services. 
  4. Describe any additional personnel resources available to be committed to this Contract. 
  5. Provide a mobilization and staffing plan for the entire initial term of this Contract. Provide a project organizational chart.
     1. Extra Board Operators/ Relief Board – Describe Offeror's policy for covering unscheduled absences, planned time off and open work and how the approach benefits Valley Metro.
     2. Operator relief – Describe how the proposer will handle operator relief and breaks. 
     3. Supervision – Describe the proposer's plan and approach. 
  6. Provide a listing of all personnel job descriptions, inclusive of management, supervisory and hourly employees. 
  7. Provide copies of existing policies for hiring, succession planning, incentive policy/program, training, drug testing, background check company, safety, and operations plan. 
  8. Provide your average time to hire and average days of vacancy for the last year.
• Key Personnel and Organizational Capacity (100 pts) —
  1. The proposal will be evaluated on the qualifications, experience, and availability of the proposed management team and key personnel.
  2. Evaluation will include: 
     1. General Manager
     2. Safety Manager
     3. Training Manager
     4. Transportation Manager 
     5. OCC Manager
     6. Administrative Services Manager 
  3. Describe how the applicable and pertinent qualifications of the general manager, including education, training, overall experience and length of employment with firm meet the job responsibilities of this SOW. 
  4. Describe how the previous experience of the general manager relative to similar work performed within the last ten (10) years addresses the responsibilities of this SOW. 
  5. Describe how the applicable and pertinent qualifications of key staff, and subcontractor key staff, including firm affiliation, education, training, overall experience and length of employment with firm address the job responsibilities and requirements of this SOW. Include in the response an organizational chart. 
  6. Each Offeror shall provide evidence that each person identified in its proposal as filling a Key Personnel position has in fact been committed by Offeror to the project.
  7. Describe how the time commitment of all key personnel to this contract supports the efficient performance of this SOW.
  8. Describe how the previous experience of key staff, and subcontractor key staff, relative to similar work performed within the last five years relate to the qualifications of the jobs duties described in this SOW. 
• Safety, Security, and Regulatory Compliance Programs (100 pts) —
  1. The proposal will be evaluated on the Offeror's ability to establish and maintain a comprehensive safety culture and regulatory compliance program.
  2. The evaluation will consider: 
     1. Safety Management System (SMS) implementation 
     2. PTASP compliance 
     3. APTA standards compliance 
     4. FTA and State Safety Oversight compliance 
     5. Incident investigation procedures 
     6. Corrective action processes 
     7. Emergency response coordination 
     8. Safety performance history 
  3. Provide the performance indicators for each reference relative to safety, provide lost workday, incidents rates, reportable/recordable incident rates, and experience modification rates for the past three years. 
  4. Accident/Incident Investigation – Describe the proposer’s policy and approach for accidents and incidents. Provide any forms used by the proposer and provide three (3) examples of accident/incident reports. 

Submission Requirements

• Proposal Submittal (required) —

  Please upload your proposal document. The proposal document should be a detailed document describing the firm or individual's qualifications and experience responsive to the requirements of the solicitation and evaluation criteria.

  The written offer should be:

  • Typewritten for ease of evaluation
  • Include contact information for the individual(s) authorized to negotiate with the Valley Metro

  Please do not submit pricing in this section.

  Please do not submit links to Google Docs, Dropbox, or similar services. Your offer may be deemed non-responsive if it is supplied using those types of services.

• Price Schedule (required) —

  Download Attachment Q, complete, sign, and upload with response.

• Offer Form (required) —

  Download the below document, complete, sign, and upload with response.

• Responsibility Questionnaire (required) —

  Download the below document, complete, sign, and upload with response.

• Non-Collusion Affidavit (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• List of Proposed Subcontractors - NFT (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• DBE-N Outreach Forms (required) —

  Please download Attachment S, complete, and upload here.

• DBE-N Annual SBPP (required) —

  Please download Attachment T, complete, and upload.

• FTA Clauses (required) —

  Please download Attachment B, complete, and upload.

• Which legal entity(ies) will be contracting? (required) —

  Select the correct entity or joint that will be a part of the final contract. This selection also defines the term Agency through the documents.

• What type of solicitation will you be using? (required) —

  Select solicitation type.

• Purpose (required) —

  Enter the nature or purpose of the contract in all lowercase because it will be inserted into sentences. For example: fixed-route bus services for the East valley

• Effective Date (required) —

  Enter the desired effective date for the contract, for example: January 1, 2024

• Desired Term (required) —

  Enter the maximum term the contract could be in place if all extensions are exercised. Be sure that the term matches the term in Special Terms and Conditions. The term should be entered in all lowercase for use in the middle of sentence and it is described as an "up to" period.

  For example: five years

• Please select the forms needed:
• Will you be using the Electronic Pricing Table? (required)