I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Transit are seeking professional service firms to submit
qualifications for architectural and engineering services related to the preparation of a
feasibility study, facility needs assessment, conceptual layout, along with meeting all NEPA
requirements for a Satellite Transfer Station. Knowledge and understanding of the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) Circular 5010.1D, U.S.C 4220.1F, and the Construction Management Guidelines is
required.
The City will select Firm(s) with which to negotiate contracts using a Qualifications Based
Selection process. Selections will be based on demonstrated experience and expertise in the
development of feasibility studies and environmental assessment of Satellite Transfer Station.
Successful project execution also includes the ability of the Firm to work in partnership with City
staff, management, and other Firms and contractors who may be part of the project and the ability
of the Firm to respond in a timely manner to any issues that may arise.
II. BACKGROUND
The City of Jacksonville is located in Onslow County, North Carolina and is home to four military
installations: USMC Camp Lejeune, Camp Geiger, Camp Johnson, and New River Air Station. The City
population as determined by the 2010 Census is 70,145 and includes portions of the previously
mentioned military installations. Additionally, the City continues to grow on its urban fringe and
outlying areas.
The City of Jacksonville, North Carolina, began a transit demonstration project in 2001 called The
Loop and changed to the current operations of Jacksonville Transit in November 2007. Jacksonville
Transit is a municipal transit system providing local fixed- route bus service within the City of
Jacksonville and parts of Onslow County as well as express bus service between the City of
Jacksonville and the adjacent military installations (Camp Lejeune, Camp Johnson, Camp Geiger and
New River Air Station). Since that time, ridership has steadily increased which has allowed
thousands to get to work, reach places to shop, get to places to learn and go where they needed to
travel. The current Jacksonville Transit system consists of 16 buses and 187 stops. In addition to
providing the fixed-route and express services, Jacksonville Transit provides complimentary ADA
paratransit services via a contract with Onslow United Transit Service.
The City of Jacksonville is under contract to construct a multi-modal transit facility, known as
Jacksonville Station, at the corner of E. Thompson Street and Marine Boulevard. Construction is
expected to begin June 2020 and to be completed in the fall of 2021. This facility will serve as
the main hub for the Jacksonville Transit system and a transfer station for multiple modes of
transportation.
The next phase of growth is the identification and construction of a Satellite Transfer Station,
which is a bus stop where more than one bus route meets that allows passengers to change from one
route to another. This Satellite Transfer Station would include public rooms, and a passenger
terminal. Jacksonville Transit desires to identify a location for the construction of said improvement that is
most advantageous to the routing system of Jacksonville Transit.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Firm shall provide professional transit related services for the preparation of a feasibility
study, facility needs assessment, conceptual layout, along with meeting all NEPA requirements for
said project. The Firm will submit along with the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), the name,
address and Project Manager to be associated with each portion of this project. The selected Firm
should be prepared to have the individual components of this project ready for submittal as
identified below. The major items of work shall include, but may not be limited to:
A. FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Firm shall conduct a feasibility study following FTA guidance and the NEPA process. This study
shall include, but not be limited to the following: description of the Jacksonville Transit system;
problems and needs assessment; identify goals, objectives, and evaluation measures; develop
conceptual alternatives; and provide recommendations which include an optimal geographical
location.
B. FACILITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The Firm shall assist in developing the current and future [20 year] space requirements. This
assessment shall include a preliminary footprint design of the Satellite Transfer Station with the
estimated square footage needed and the land area recommended. The facility needs assessment
should:
• Develop a program of space needs for each functional area such as parking, passenger terminal and
restroom areas.
• Address all interior and exterior functions related to operation of the proposed facility.
• Assess all traffic patterns and vehicle circulation into and around the site.
• Assess needs for space, maintenance, and lighting.
C. LOCATION AND SITE EVALUATION
The Firm shall assist in the identification of available properties that meet or exceed the
programming requirements. It is expected that this facility will be located in the general area
identified as the optimal location upon completion of the Feasibility Study. A brief illustrated
report shall show identified sites that will meet the programming requirements, pros and cons of
each site, and schematic plans to demonstrate that identified sites will adequately meet the
programming requirements. For each location, the consultant will analyze issues, develop a
budgetary opinion of cost which includes a breakdown of work items, and provide an explanation of
assumptions made.
D. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
The Firm shall provide a conceptual level design based on the facility needs site evaluation
findings. The conceptual design shall take into site evaluation findings. The conceptual design
shall take into consideration all local, state, and federal development requirements for a facility
of this type.
E. NEPA DOCUMENTATION
The Firm shall follow the NEPA process and all FTA requirements for all work related here to. The
consultant should strive to identify strategies for the satellite transfer station where a Categorical
Exclusion status is a strong possibility according to the most recent FTA requirements. For the
purposes of the proposal the Firm should anticipate completing the Categorical Exclusion
process.
F. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The Firm shall be available for at least one formal meeting for each of the following: Jacksonville
City Council, JUMPO TCC, and JUMPO TAC. These meetings will allow the Firm to present options and
findings, outline cost estimates, and make recommendations.
The Firm shall be available to meet with City, Jacksonville Transit, and MPO staff, project
stakeholders, and participate in gathering citizen input. This may include preparing agenda,
presenting alternatives and findings, and preparing minutes thereof. The Firm shall also coordinate
and prepare minutes for progress meetings
during critical stages of the project.
IV. SCHEDULE
• RFQ Invitation Release Date/Advertisement May 13, 2020
• Submission for Questions and Clarifications May 22, 2020
• Response to Questions and Clarifications May 27, 2020
• Submission of Qualifications June 10, 2020
• Preliminary Interview Dates (if needed) June 15, 2020
• Selection Committee’s Recommendation June 19, 2020
V. PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Submit six (6) hard copies of the proposals and one (1) CD or flash drive containing a PDF of the
proposal by 5:00 PM (EST) on June 10, 2020 in the Transportation Department of Jacksonville City
Hall, located at 815 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540.
The proposal package shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope/box marked: Request for Qualifications
– Satellite Transfer Station Feasibility Study and delivered to: City of Jacksonville, Attn: Deanna
Trebil, 815 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540.
There will be no pre-proposal meeting. Questions about this proposal shall be submitted via email
and will be answered until 5:00 PM (EST) on May 22, 2020. Questions received after this time will
not be answered. Individual meetings with Firms will not be held due to personnel workload.
VI. CONTENTS OF QUALIFICATION STATEMENT
The Firm will assemble a team of professionals with experience in transit planning and all other
aspects of the Scope of Services. The SOQ must clearly describe the credentials of the personnel
who will perform the work. It must also contain a specific plan with timeline for completing the
Scope of Services. The statement must include a technical approach that demonstrates a
well-structured and reasonable work plan. Firms are encouraged to refine and/or expand the Scope of
Services contained herein to reflect the particular manner in which the work would be performed.
The SOQ should include an identification of major issues or problems that may be encountered and
specific methods of dealing with the issue and avoiding such problems.
The SOQ shall be submitted on 8 ½” x 11” paper, side bound with Table of Contents and reference
tabs for key sections. Statements shall be limited to thirty (30) single pages (utilizing front and
back of each) except that the cover, section tabs/dividers and resumes are not included in this
page limit. The minimum font size is 12 pt Times New Roman font or 10 pt in Arial font, with the
exception of captions. The statements must include the
following sections:
1. Introductory Letter: Submit a clear concise response identifying:
a. Name of the Firm and contact information,
b. Primary contact person and his/her contact information,
c. “Why the City should select your Firm for these services”,
d. Addendums that might have been issued, and
e. Signed by an authorized representative of the company which shall be interpreted to signify the
Firm’s intent to comply with all the terms, conditions, and specifications set forth in this SOQ.
2. Company Profile: Provide the following information about your company:
a. Identify the location of the corporate office,
b. Identify the office locations where all team members are based,
c. Type of ownership and parent company (if any) as well as any pending ownership changes, and
d. Acknowledgement Firm is licensed in North Carolina and provide licensure
number.
3. Project Understanding and Approach: Provide a detailed description of the Firm’s
understanding of the project. This description should include at a minimum:
a. Identify approach for dealing with tasks identified in the Scope of Services,
b. Summary of general issues related to each key item identified in the Scope of Services,
c. Specific issues or problems that were not considered or identified,
d. Include a proposed schedule and milestones indicating the duration and
relationships of tasks, key events and deliverables for each, and
e. City staff will work closely with the Firm throughout the entire process.
Include a description of any assumptions that were made concerning the
nature and extent of City staff contribution.
4. Project Team(s): Provide detailed information to demonstrate the expertise of the
team proposed:
a. Identify the role, responsibility, and experience of each team member. Project references and
contact information should be included that demonstrate Firm and Team’s capability. Of particular
interest is the lead project manager for the Firm and the task leaders of the various disciplines.
Persons from the principal Firm and any sub-consultants should be included.
b. Include an organization chart showing the relationship of the team members to each other and to
the tasks that will be performed.
c. Identify key, unique or special qualifications or approach that the Firm wishes to be
considered.
d. Provide a minimum of three (3) references with similar type projects within the past five (5)
years. Please indicate a brief project description, staff responsible for project, what role did
your Firm play, experience working with same proposed team members, and a reference for each.
5. Insurance and Contract Statement: Provide a statement that the Firm is willing to
meet all of the requirements set forth in the contract, and that the Firm is prepared to sign the
agreement as written to include the FTA’s Terms and Conditions.
The City objects to, and will not evaluate or consider, any additional terms and conditions
submitted with this RFQ. If the selected firm is unwilling or unable to sign the attached contract,
they will be considered non-responsive and the next highest ranked firm will have the opportunity
to execute the contract.
6. Hourly Rates: The hourly billing rates charged by the Firm for each position type should be made
part of the Qualifications Statement. (1 page limit)
7. Minority Participation: Jacksonville Transit has a goal of 1% minority participation in
consultant services contracts; please indicate how this percentage might be achieved. Please
include a proposed outreach plan and examples used on similar projects. Successful consultants
will be required to meet the DBE goal or demonstrate good faith efforts each time a new task
proposal is requested.
8. Resumes: Detailed resumes of key staff members may be included to supplement the description of
staff qualification. These resumes may not exceed one single page (utilizing front and back). These
resumes are not included in the total page limit for the SOQ.
9. FTA Required Forms: In accordance with FTA provisions, the following forms are required to be
submitted with your RFQ:
• Form A - Certification Regarding Lobbying
• Form B - Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Etc
• Form C – DBE Utilization Form
• Form D – Letter of Intent Perform as Subcontractor
• Form E – Affidavit of No Change for DBE Businesses
RFQ QUESTIONS
Questions concerning this RFQ shall be submitted to Deanna Trebil via email at dtrebil@jacksonvillenc.gov
or by phone at (910) 938-5073 no later than 5:00 PM (EST) on May 22, 2020.
RFQ prevails over Bidnet Posting.
