Rail Network Integration Study Request for Proposals (RFP):

1. APPROVE Request for Proposals for consultants to prepare a Rail Network Integration Study, subject to Agency Counsel and Caltrans approval;
2. AUTHORIZE staff to publish the RFP and return to the Board of Directors with a recommendation for approval of a consultant team;
3. APPROVE the use of funds allocated to this project for this agreement in an amount not to exceed $350,000; and
4. APPROVE the use of $150,000 from the allocated funds for staff time associated with overseeing this project.

This request for proposals will be used by TAMC to select a firm to perform a Monterey Bay Area Network Integration Study. The study will lay the groundwork for implementing the State Rail Plan in the Monterey Bay Area by determining the optimal options for: rail connectivity and operations, equipment needs, governance, and community benefits for service between Monterey County and Santa Clara County, Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the Coast Rail Corridor. This study will also assist the Transportation Agency by providing the data needed to prepare grant applications for funding new stations at Pajaro/Watsonville, Castroville, Soledad and King City.

On October 18, 2018, the California Transportation Commission allocated $500,000 via a state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant to TAMC for this project. TAMC estimates that staff time associated with this project will account for $150,000 and estimates this contract budget at $350,000.

TAMC is seeking a consultant team that is qualified to perform a regional Monterey Bay Area Network Integration Study (“Study”) to support multiple goals at the state and regional level. The consultant team should have expertise in working with commuter, intercity, and freight railroad operators and should be creative in suggesting ideas for implementing bold new vision in keeping with the 2018 California State Rail Plan. TAMC is open to considering approaches not yet evaluated for rail service on the Central Coast.

The proposed schedule for this Request for Proposals is as follows:

Attached is a draft Scope of Work. This project is anticipated to take approximately two (2) years to complete, starting in Spring 2019 and being completed by June 30, 2021.