The Agency has traditionally set aside a small amount of local Transportation Development Act funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in its annual budget for public education activities and events promoting bicycling and walking. In recent years, the Agency focused its bicycle education and public awareness budget to fund bicycle safety trainings.
Since 2012, the Agency contracted with Ecology Action to hold bicycle safety training events in 5th grade classrooms across Monterey County. These trainings were led by a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor and included a classroom presentation and hands-on safety training rodeo in which students are able to practice their skills in a controlled environment.
In the past, the Agency contracted with Ecology Action under a sole-source procurement finding because they were the only known providers of this unique service in the Monterey Bay Area. There is now at least one other provider of this type of service that may be interested to work in Monterey County. The Agency's procurement policies require the formal bidding process be followed in this circumstance.
The goal of this Request for Proposals is to secure a consultant to educate Monterey County youth on the rules of the road and how to bicycle safely on the road. In the past, the Transportation Agency-sponsored youth bike safety trainings have targeted 5th grade elementary school students. However, the consultant may propose another youth age group. The Scope of Work requires the consultant team includes a qualified lead classroom instructor that is certified by an established, nationally recognized cycling organization to lead bike safety trainings.