Public Transportation Services

The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, FL, (hereby referred to as COUNTY) are seeking ITN proposals for a qualified service operator/vendor (hereby referred to as OPERATOR) to provide public transportation services for demand response (door-to-door), non-emergency, and Transportation Disadvantaged services throughout the county and the surrounding area. The COUNTY is responsible for procurement and disposition of the transit vehicles to be operated by the OPERATOR. The OPERATOR will be responsible for full-service maintenance, daily inspections, cleaning and custodial maintenance of vehicles and any bus stops/shelters required for active routes.

Background

Emerald Coast (EC) Rider is a public transit system developed by Okaloosa County in 1987 to provide public transit services in Okaloosa County. The system services areas within the county, including incorporated and unincorporated areas of Okaloosa County. EC Rider provided 40,047 fixed-route trips with a total of 43,603 revenue hours and 59,916 demand response trips with 31,191 revenue hours in 2025.

The EC Rider System currently has weekday fixed-route service, with its headquarters located at 600 Transit Way in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The current hours of operation for fixed-route services are Monday – Friday, 5:00am to 7:30pm, excluding the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Fixed-route services consist of ten main routes that have a fixed-route schedule. An update to this service was addressed at the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners regular scheduled meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Due to expiring grant funding and poor ridership performance, fixed routes will be removed from the upcoming contract requirement. Potential for optimized fixed routes and/or microtransit services will continue to be evaluated through this procurement process and could be a service explored and/or operated under the new contract award in FY27 or through a future amendment. Any such added service will be fully analyzed, tested and operated based off meeting or exceeding agreed metrics for the performance measures provided by the Florida Transportation Commission and related federal/state agencies.

The EC Rider System also provides essential door-to-door paratransit services through its Dial-a-Ride program, a key component of Florida’s Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program. This service supports individuals who are unable to access or use fixed-route public transportation due to disability, age, income, or other limiting circumstances. Demand response programs currently operate Monday–Friday: 4:00am – 8:00pm, Saturday: 4:00am – 7:00pm, and Sunday: 5:00am – 12:00pm. The COUNTY currently owns and utilizes Trapeze Software Version 21.19.00 and Genfare Data System 7, Software Version 4.0.5 technology in the operation of the system.

Project Details

• Reference ID: ITN TS 47-26
• Department: Transit
• Department Head: Tyrone Parker (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-05-08T20:00:00.000Z
• Pre-Proposal Meeting: 2026-04-29T15:00:00.000Z — Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) Airport located at 1701 Florida 85, Eglin AFB, FL 32542. *Please RSVP to Purchasing Department*

Evaluation Criteria

• Analysis and Recommendations (20 pts) —

  Respondents must clearly demonstrate their understanding of the COUNTY’s current system. The OPERATOR should utilize the latest in industry technologies and methods to analyze the area’s needs based on demographics and geographical challenges. The analysis should also include how innovations and improvements which may include, but are not limited to, the introduction of new technologies, operational changes, equipment and vehicle changes, or any other modifications the respondent believes can provide an efficient, cost-effective, and reliable transportation network. Provide how you would deliver an assessment for optimized fixed routes and/or microtransit services for consideration under the new contract award in FY27 or may be reserved for future consideration and incorporation into the TDSP.

• Implementation Approach (30 pts) —

  Provide a detailed description of how the requested demand response and Transportation Disadvantaged services will be provided. Describe the timeline to implement recommendations from section 1.7.1 and if all services will be in place at contract start or whether a phased approach is necessary. Implementation should include the total number and types of vehicles required to optimize performance at the least cost. Implementation of the service(s) described in section 1.7.1 should be reflected in the proposed hourly rates for Demand Response and Transportation Disadvantaged Services, understanding the CONTRACTOR responsibilities in Section 1.3.2.

• Similar Experience and References (10 pts) —

  Describe prior experience providing the like scope of work and contractual model for paratransit, demand response, and fixed/microtransit services. Provide a detailed summary of similar services performed for up to three (3) similar transit agencies in the last five (5) years for the provision of public transportation services. Information should include the names of the entities (City, County, etc.), contract amount, project description, administration responsibilities, and whether the service was ultimately performed within budget. Respondents are reminded they must state the levels of service provided to any entity listed. Describe the Respondent’s specific experience working with government agencies to maximize the use of agency resources and improve public transit services to the public. Include a list of references that your firm (and staff) is currently providing or has provided for similar services within the last five (5) years. OPERATOR must demonstrate a satisfactory record of performance, including positive references from other recent clients. A satisfactory record of performance shall include delivery of services within budget, having an acceptable on‐time performance, positive customer feedback, and a consistently cooperative relationship with the contract purveyor.

• Management/Organization Resources (15 pts) —

  Provide a detailed profile of your organization that includes an organization chart, number of years in business, home office location, and any other information to be considered in the evaluation of your organization’s ability to render services to the COUNTY. Describe the experience and expertise of management staff that will be assigned to the COUNTY. Include copies of their resumes, certifications, and information concerning the specific program knowledge that will be brought to the COUNTY in the performance of the scope of work. Staff members who will be assigned to management positions must have at least one year of experience in these roles. If subcontractors are to be used, a description must be provided of each person or firm and the work to be done by each subcontractor. Describe the methods used to monitor and evaluate driver screening, selection, and training; sensitivity and first aid training for employees; and pre/post-trip training and quality assurance methods for ensuring timely identification of defects and repairs to promote safety.

• Quality Assurance (15 pts) —

  OPERATOR should demonstrate their success in ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements, as well as making sure excellent customer service is provided to riders. Describe methods for tracking driver requirements, such as training and license requirements, and preventative maintenance schedules to ensure timely inspections and repair activities. Describe these methods in detail, as well as methods for how customer complaints, commendations, and route deviation requests will be monitored and reported.

• Financial Capacity (10 pts) —

  Include the latest financial audit of the OPERATOR prepared by an independent auditor or Certified Public Accountant (CPA). If the OPERATOR is not required to conduct an audit, please state the reason an audit is not required and provide financial statements prepared by an independent accounting agency. Because of the schedule for
  reimbursement of operating costs, the OPERATOR must have a 45‐day cash reserve based on the estimated proposed annual budget. Provide documentation of the reserve and its designation for use only in the COUNTY's transit system. The COUNTY will evaluate the OPERATOR’s overall financial capacity and assess any liabilities currently facing them. If selected, the OPERATOR must procure and maintain insurance at its own cost and expense for the duration of the agreement.

Submission Requirements

• Vendor Information
• Sam.gov Unique Entity Identifier —

  Enter your Sam.Gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. 

• Cage Code —

  Enter your Cage Code

• Required Certifications
• RFP Acknowledgement (required) —

  I certify that this bid is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any other respondent submitting a bid for the same materials, supplies, equipment or services, and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. I agree to abide by all terms and conditions of this bid and certify that I am authorized to sign this bid for the respondent.

• Drug-Free Workplace Certification (required) —

  RESPONDENT CERTIFIES that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program.  In order to have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall:

  1. Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.
  2. Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.
  3. Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under quote a copy of the statement specified in subsection A.
  4. In the statement specified in subsection A, notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under quote, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any violation of Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.
  5. Impose a sanction on, or require the satisfactory participation in, drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program if such is available in employee’s community, by any employee who is convicted.
  6. Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this section.

  As the person authorized to sign this statement, I certify that this firm complies fully with the above requirements.

• Federal E-Verify Compliance Certification (required) —

  In accordance with Okaloosa County Policy and Executive Order Number 11-116 from the office of the Governor of the State of Florida, Respondent hereby certifies that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system will be used to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the Respondent during the contract term, and shall expressly require any subcontractors performing work or providing services pursuant to the contact to likewise utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Securities E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the subcontractor during the contract term; and shall provide documentation such verification to the COUNTY upon request. 

• Cone of Silence Certification (required) —

  The Board of County Commissioners have established a solicitation silence policy (Cone of Silence) that prohibits oral and written communication regarding all formal solicitations for goods and services (ITB, RFP, ITQ, ITN, and RFQ) or other competitive solicitation between the bidder (or its agents or representatives) or other entity with the potential for a financial interest in the award (or their respective agents or representatives) regarding such competitive solicitation, and any County Commissioner or County employee, selection committee member or other persons authorized to act on behalf of the Board including the County’s Architect, Engineer or their sub-consultants, or anyone designated to provide a recommendation to award a particular contract, other than the Purchasing Department Staff.

  The period commences from the time of advertisement until contract award. 

  Any information thought to affect the committee or staff recommendation submitted after bids are due, should be directed to the Purchasing Manager or an appointed representative.  It shall be the Purchasing Manager’s decision whether to consider this information in the decision process.

  Any violation of this policy shall be grounds to disqualify the Respondent from consideration during the selection process.

  Respondent hereby certifies to comply with this policy.

• Indemnification and Hold Harmless Certification (required) —

  Respondent certifies that they shall indemnify and hold harmless COUNTY, its officers and employees from liabilities, damages, losses, and costs including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, to the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful conduct of the CONTRACTOR and other persons employed or utilized by the CONTRACTOR in the performance of this Agreement.

• LOBBYING - 31 U.S.C. 1352, 49 CFR Part 19, 49 CFR Part 20 (required) —

  The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her 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 subawards 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 31U.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.

• Government Debarment and Suspension Certification (required) —
  1. By clicking "Please Confirm" below, the prospective lower tier participant is providing the certification set out in accordance with these instructions.
  2. The certification in this clause is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was entered into. If it is later determined that the prospective lower tier participant knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Federal Government, the department or agency with which this transaction originated may pursue available remedies, including suspension or debarment.
  3. The prospective lower tier participant shall provide immediate written notice to the person(s) to which this proposal is submitted if at any time the prospective lower tier participant learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.
  4. The terms "covered transaction," "debarred," "suspended," "ineligible," "lower tier covered transaction," "participant," "person," "primary covered transaction," "principal," "proposal," and "voluntarily excluded," as used in this clause, have the meanings set out in the Definitions and Coverage sections of the rules implementing Executive Orders 12549, at Subpart C of OMB 2 C.F.R. Part 180 and 3000.332. You may contact the department or agency to which this proposal is being submitted for assistance in obtaining a copy of those regulations.
  5. The prospective lower tier participant agrees by submitting this form that, should the proposed covered transaction be entered into, it shall not knowingly enter into any lower tier covered transaction with a person who is debarred, suspended, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this covered transaction, unless authorized by the department or agency with which this transaction originated.
  6. The prospective lower tier participant further agrees by submitting this form that it will include this clause titled "Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions," without modification, in all lower tier covered transactions and in all solicitations for lower tier covered transactions.
  7.  A participant in a covered transaction may rely upon a certification of a prospective participant in a lower tier covered transaction that is not debarred, suspended, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the covered transaction, unless it knows that the certification is erroneous. A participant may decide the method and frequency by which it determines the eligibility of its principals. Each participant may, but is not required to, check the System for Award Management (SAM) database.
  8. 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 this clause. The knowledge and information of a participant is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.
  9. Except for transactions authorized under paragraph (E) of these instructions, if a participant in a covered transaction knowingly enters into a lower tier covered transaction with a person who is suspended, debarred, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction, in addition to other remedies available to the Federal Government, the department or agency with which this transaction originated may pursue available remedies, including suspension and/or debarment.

  The following statement is made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552(a), as amended). This certification is required by the regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549, Debarment and Suspension, and OMB 2 C.F.R.

  Part 180, Participants' responsibilities. The regulations were amended and published on August 31, 2005, in 70 Fed. Reg. 51865-51880.

  The prospective lower tier participant certifies, by submission of this proposal, that neither it nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal or State department or agency;

  Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this proposal.

• Scrutinized Company Certification (required) —

  Proposer certifies that it is not:

  1. listed on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, created pursuant to section 215.4725, Florida Statutes,
  2. engaged in a boycott of Israel,
  3. listed on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, created pursuant to section 215.473, Florida Statutes, or
  4. engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria. 

  Pursuant to section 287.135(5), Florida Statutes, the County may disqualify the bid proper immediately or immediately terminate any agreement entered into for cause if the bid proposer is found to have submitted a false certification as to the above or if the Contractor  is placed on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, is engaged in a boycott of Israel, has been placed on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, or has been engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria, during the term of the Agreement.  If the County determines that the bid proposer has submitted a false certification, the County will provide written notice to the bid proposer.  Unless the bid proposer demonstrates in writing, within 90 calendar days of receipt of the notice, that the County’s determination of false certification was made in error, the County shall bring a civil action against the bid proposer.   If the County’s determination is upheld, a civil penalty shall apply, and the bid proposer will be ineligible to bid on any Agreement with a Florida agency or local governmental entity for three years after the date of County’s determination of false certification by bid proposer. 

  As the person authorized to sign this statement, I certify that this firm complies fully with the above requirements.

• Federally Grant Funded Project Certification (required) —

  This solicitation contains Federal Grant funds.  To the extent applicable, in accordance with Federal law, respondents shall comply with the clauses as enumerated below.  Proposer shall adhere to all grant conditions as set forth in the requirements of the Grant including, but not limited to, those set forth below, as well as those listed below, which are incorporated herein by reference:

  1. 2 CFR. 25.110
  2. 2 CFR Part 170 (including Appendix A), 180, 200 (including Appendixes), and 3000
  3. Executive Orders 12549 and 12689
  4. 41 CFR s. 60-1(a) and (d)
  5. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 related to salary limitations

  These cited regulations are hereby incorporated and made part of this Solicitation as if fully set forth herein.  As stated above, this list is not all inclusive, any other requirement of law applicable in accordance with the Federal, State or grant requirements are also applicable and hereby incorporated into this Solicitation.  If Proposer cannot adhere to or objects to any of the applicable federal requirements, Proposers proposal may be deemed by the County as unresponsive. The provisions in the exhibit tilted GRANT FUNDED CLAUSES in the Exhibit and Attachments Section are supplemental and in addition to all other provisions within the procurement.   In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Exhibit and the terms and conditions of the remainder of the procurement, the conflicting terms and conditions of this Exhibit shall prevail. However, in the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Exhibit and the terms and conditions of any federal grant funding document provided specific to the funds being used to contract services or goods under this Procurement the conflicting terms and conditions of that document shall prevail. 

  Proposer certifies that they are fully able to comply with these requirements, federal terms and conditions and has made any inquires and/or further examination of the law and requirements as is necessary to comply.

• DBE/Minority Vendor (required) —

  Are you a certified DBE or Minority Vendor?

• DBE/Minority Vendor Number (required) —

  Enter your DBE/Minority Vendor Certification Number.

• DBE/Minority Vendor Certification (required) —

  Upload a copy of your DBE/Minority Vendor certification.

• Conflict of Interest(s) (required) —

  Do you have any Conflicts of Interest to disclose?

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Required Forms & Documents
• References (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Public Entity Crime Certification (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Anti-Human Trafficking Affidavit (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Grant Funding Acknowledgement (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• SunBiz Certificate of Good Standing (required) —

  Florida Statute 607.1501 requires that all vendors who wish to do business in the State of Florida be licensed to do business through the Florida Department of State and be in good standing with the State of Florida. As such, to do business with Okaloosa County, a vendor must provide a Certificate of Good Standing with their bid/proposal package to the County. For more information on doing business in the State of Florida, please refer to the Florida Department of State. The website to register is https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz.

  Upload a copy of your Certificate of Good Standing from the Florida Department of State. 

• Proposal Documents (required) —

  Upload your proposal documents here.

• Goods and Services (required) —

  What are you purchasing?

• Piggyback Agreement (required) —

  Will the bid be available to other Florida entities under the same conditions, contract price and the same effective period?

• Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Meeting (required) —

  Select an Option below.