Okaloosa County BOCC — May 5, 2015 — TDP SCOPE OF WORK FINAL 4-2015 — reading text

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS Okaloosa County is seeking proposals from qualified firms to prepare a ten (10) year Transit Development Plan for the system and its service area. Responsive firms will have a strong background in transit planning and a demonstrated history of success in working with similarly sized transit systems. In addition to the firm’s background, staff assigned to conduct the bulk of the work will have similar backgrounds and experience in the same areas. Introduction: Okaloosa County serves as the direct recipient for federal transit funds and the CTC for state Transportation Disadvantaged funds. Okaloosa County purchases public transportation operations that include fixed route and paratransit service. The system operates in the Ft. Walton Beach-Navarre-Wright Urbanized Area as well as the rural area north of Eglin Air Force Base including the city of Crestview. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the UZA was 191,917. The most recent five-year Transit Development Plan for Okaloosa County was adopted in 2011. There have been minor annual updates since then and a major update is due by 2016. This task is to prepare a major update of the TDP and extend the planning horizon to cover the period from FY2016 to FY2025. Schedule This major update is scheduled for completion by August 1st, 2016 and is due to the State no later than September 1st 2016. A more detailed timeline will be prepared and submitted to the winning proposer. SCOPE: The primary goals of developing and implementing the Transit Development Plan are as follows: 1) Determine strategies to Increase ridership and service efficiency within existing service area 2) Enhance local and regional transit service connectivity and efficiency 3) Increase operating revenue and funding opportunities To complete this project the selected consultant will be expected to work closely with County Staff, representatives from the municipalities, the Operations Contractor, and the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and must provide a strong on-site presence as necessary to prepare the plan. It is the overall intent of this study to produce a useful and supported document that can provide practical guidance to Okaloosa County to facilitate service decisions. Major elements of Plan completion shall include: 1) Successful firm shall establish a Steering Committee made up of stakeholders regarding the future of transit service in Okaloosa County to provide guidance to the selected consultant. In consultation with Okaloosa County, the consultant will identify and invite persons from a wide range of approved constituencies to participate in the Steering Committee. 2) Successful firm shall analyze existing transit services, develop trends in the study area and review area development and population trends and projections. This includes studying the efficiency and effectiveness (operational, revenue generation and cost) of existing services, including routes, schedules, vehicle type, and areas/destinations. This phase of the project should also consider budgetary and funding trends. 3) Successful firm shall conduct an appropriate range of public outreach activities. Outreach should solicit input from the following groups: the general riding public and non-riding public, business community (year-round and season), area public agencies with transit interests including Human Services agencies, and other appropriate groups as may be identified. Types of outreach activities may include but not necessarily be limited to public forums, written surveys, on-board surveys and individual or targeted group meetings. 4) Successful firm shall develop draft service recommendations as follows: a) Improvements as applicable for existing year-round fixed route services including service standards, routing, span and frequency, destinations, etc. b) New routes feasibility for high density areas, commercial areas including work area, and areas populated with characteristics attributable to captive riders such as low-income, minority, elderly, etc. c) Rural public transportation service development consisting of primarily the Crestview area d) Seasonal trolley services and enhancement of that service for tourist development Additional public outreach on these recommendations may also be required to follow through on issues identified during initial outreach sessions. 5) Successful firm shall develop a survey instrument and conduct on-board rider surveys designed to probe attitudes toward transit, perceptions of transportation in Okaloosa County and the existing system, needed service enhancements and factors that encourage or discourage transit use and capture selected demographic information including the following: Trip Origin and destination Resident of City or unincorporated area Access mode used to transit route Other route(s) or services utilization Gender Age Income bracket Trip purpose 6) Proposed Timetable: Consulting firms should submit a proposed project schedule timetable for all three Milestones (see number 7) to be submitted to the Board of County Commission with their proposals. The BOCC meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Committee meeting times and locations are subject to change. All current agendas should be checked to confirm times and locations. 7) The selected consultant shall be expected to attend a minimum of four (4) meetings with the Steering Committee plus any additional time as may be required to complete the project (public outreach, etc.). Additionally, the consultant shall confer with the Steering Committee Co-Chairs on a weekly basis to report progress and clarify any other issues that may arise. Review and Adoption by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC): With approval from Okaloosa County, BOCC review and adoption will occur at three major milestones: § Plans Goals & Objectives § Future Transit Alternatives § Final Plan Adoption The Plan’s recommendations should guide appropriate service decisions that should be applicable to the range of transit needs and opportunities considered to be attainable and be consistent with the local Long Range Plan. The Plan shall include narrative, tables and graphics to summarize the selected recommendations and alternatives. The Plan shall include a summary of the process and input used throughout its development and must including goals, objectives, strategies, performance standards and policies. The final Plan, in addition to its final set of recommendations, shall include a compilation of all preceding Plan elements, and reflect any additions, changes, updates, etc. that results from interim reviews. The consultant will be required to provide sufficient copies of all reports, interim drafts, and the draft final Plan for each member of the Steering Committee, and the Board of County Commissioners plus five (5) additional copies and a copy on CD shall be submitted After the Board of County Commissioners review of the draft final Transit Development Plan, the final version appropriately incorporating all input shall be prepared and 25 copies of the Final drafted version of the Transit Development Plan shall be delivered to Okaloosa County Growth Management. A copy of the final Transit Development Plan shall be submitted on CD and submitted with the hard copies.