Request for Proposals: Operation of Contract Transport Service

CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Issued by:
City of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
May 1, 2026
The City of Lake Geneva is seeking proposals from qualified transportation providers to operate a
seasonal trolley/transport system for the 2027 and 2028 summer tourism seasons.
Proposals Must Be Submitted by 12 p.m. (Noon) CST May 14, 2026
City of Lake Geneva
626 Geneva Street
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147
Phone 262-248-3673 / Fax 262-248-4715
www.Cityoflakegeneva.gov
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Seasonal Trolley Service - Contractor-Owned Turnkey Model
Issued by City of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
May 1, 2026
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE
2. PROJECT SCOPE
3. SCOPE OF WORK
4. PROJECT SCHEDULE
5. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
6. EVALUATION CRITERIA & SCORING
7. SELECTION PROCESS
8. PROJECT SUCCESS CRITERIA
9. SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS
10. APPENDIX
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
1. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE
The City of Lake Geneva is soliciting proposals from qualified transportation providers to
deliver a fully turnkey, contractor-owned and operated seasonal trolley or transportation service
for 2027 and 2028.
Under this model:
The contractor owns and provides vehicles.
The contractor is fully responsible for operations, staffing, maintenance, and insurance
2. PROJECT SCOPE
The trolley system is being implemented in advance of State Highway 50 reconstruction (2027-
2028). Lake Geneva experiences significant seasonal congestion driven by tourism. The trolley
system is being sought to ease congestion and reduce traffic downtown in the construction zone.
The route shown in the Appendix is based on current discussion and is subject to change based
on final project impact and selected vendor input.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
Overview
The contractor provides a complete, turnkey transportation service that is efficient and safe.
Vehicles do not need to be trolley style, but the City does prefer that style of vehicle. Any
proposed vehicle(s) must meet the City's needs.
Contractor Responsibilities
Own and provide vehicles
Staff and operate service
Maintain and insure vehicles
Store vehicles during operating season
Provide dispatch and management
Deliver all-inclusive service
City Responsibilities
Contract oversight only
Cost Structure
Fixed seasonal or annual fee
Service Requirements
Operating Timeframe
May 1 - September 26, 2027 and May 5 - October 1, 2028
Shoulder Season
2027: May 1-27 and Sept. 10-26
2028: May 5-28 and Sept. 1-Oct. 1
Friday-Sunday
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
One trolley
Peak Season
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
2027: May 28-Sept. 9
2028: May 29-August 31
One trolley daily
Second trolley Friday-Sunday
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Service Expectations
ADA-compliant vehicles
Professional drivers
Coordination with City and BID
Safety & Compliance
Conduct safe and reliable operations
All required licensing and certifications
Insurance coverage
Safety procedures and reporting
Deliverables - Data
Weekly and monthly reports detailing ridership and service reliability
Ridership data
End-of-season evaluation of operations
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL BID
For intermittent weekend special event use, such as Winterfest or Octoberfest
4. PROJECT SCHEDULE
Phase Date
RFP Issued May 1, 2026
Proposals Due May 14, 2026
Service Start May 1, 2027
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
5. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Cover letter & executive summary
Firm qualifications
Relevant experience (cite any similar projects)
Understanding of local context
Operational approach
Project schedule
Fee proposal - included detailed cost breakdown in chart shown below
References (3-5)
Fee Proposal
Proposer Name:
Contact:
1. Hourly Operating Rates
Cost Component Shoulder (1) Peak (1) Peak (2)
Driver Labor
Maintenance
Cleaning
TOTAL 0 0 0
2. Seasonal Cost Summary
Season Hours Rate Total
Shoulder 0
Peak Weekday 0
Peak Weekend 0
TOTAL 0
4. Grand Total
Operating Cost 0
TOTAL PROPOSED COST 0
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
6. EVALUATION CRITERIA & SCORING
Criteria Weight
Experience 25%
Cost & Value 25%
Operational Approach 20%
Service Quality 15%
Local Understanding 15%
Criterion Weight Poor (0-3) Adequate (4-6) Good (7-8) Excellent (9-10)
Relevant Little/no similar Some similar Multiple relevant Extensive proven
Experience 25% experience projects projects success
Unclear or Basic cost Competitive and Highly competitive
Cost & Value 25% unrealistic cost clarity reasonable and transparent
Operational Weak or unclear Detailed and Highly detailed and
Approach 20% plan Basic plan workable reliable
Meets
Service Quality Poor quality or minimum Good quality and High-quality,
& Fleet 15% unclear standards compliance customer-focused
Local Little Basic Good local Strong tailored
Understanding 15% understanding awareness insight understanding
7. SELECTION PROCESS
Staff review
Scoring and ranking
Reference checks
Interviews (if needed)
Council award
Contract negotiation
8. PROJECT SUCCESS CRITERIA
Reliable service
Positive rider experience
Reduced congestion
Integration with parking system
Financial sustainability
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
9. SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS
Submission Deadline: All proposals must be received by the City no later than 12:00 PM (Noon)
Central Standard Time (CST) May 14, 2026
Late proposals will not be accepted. Proposers bear risk for timely delivery regardless of chosen
delivery method.
All proposals must be signed by an authorized representative of the firm or lead firm if
submitting as team. Signature indicates authority to bind the firm to proposal terms, acceptance
of all RFP conditions and certification that all information provided is accurate
The City reserves the right to reject any proposals that are incomplete, contain material
omissions, or include alterations to RFP requirements.
Required Documents for Submission
One (1) electronic PDF copy submitted via email to Chris Bennett, Assistant City
Administrator
Filename format: "CompanyName_LakeGeneva_TROLLEY_2026.pdf"
The City will print proposal copies as needed. Consultants should not submit printed proposals
unless specifically requested.
Questions
All questions about the RFP or RFP process must be submitted in writing via email to Chris
Bennett, Assistant City Administrator, by 12:00 PM (Noon) CST May 12, 2026.
Restrictions
No questions will be discussed or answered in person or by telephone. Questions will
only be answered via email.
Questions received after deadline will not be answered.
Answer Distribution
All questions received and the City's responses will be posted on the City's website as public
addendum. Answers typically posted within 24 hours of question deadline.
It is each proposer's responsibility to monitor the City's website regularly for question and
answer postings, RFP addendums or clarifications and any schedule changes or updates.
Addenda
Any changes to the RFP will be posted as addendums on the City's website. Proposers should
check regularly for updates.
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
General Terms
Proposals submitted in response to this RFP are considered offers to the City and become
the property of the City. Proposal materials will not be returned.
The City's evaluation and selection decision will be based on its assessment of each
proposer's qualifications, experience, and responsiveness demonstrated in the proposal.
This RFP does not obligate the City to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in
the preparation or submission of proposals.
Proposers may withdraw their proposal personally or by written request at any time prior
to the submittal deadline.
The City reserves the right to:
Accept the proposal determined to be in the best interest of the City and its residents
Reject the lowest-cost proposal
Reject any or all proposals
Waive irregularities or informalities in proposals, provided such waivers are in the City's
interest
Request clarifications or additional information from any proposer
Conduct site visits, interviews, or additional evaluation steps as deemed necessary
Negotiate final scope, schedule, and fee with the selected firm
Award the base scope only or selectively include optional add-on services based on
budget availability and value
Cancel, reissue, or modify this RFP prior to contract execution
Extend deadlines or modify the RFP schedule with notice to proposers
Point of Contact - City
Assistant City Administrator Chris Bennett
(262) 248-9465
asstcityadmin@cityoflakegeneva.gov
10. APPENDIX
Example route and stops
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
Example - Trolley Route
Trolley Stop and Parking - Exit Town Bank parking lot and turn right on Center Street
Town Bank lot is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Take Center Street to Dodge Street and turn right
Take Dodge Street to Madison Street and turn left
Central-Denison Elementary is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Take Madison Street to Geneva Street and turn left
Take Geneva Street to Broad Street and turn right
In front of the Geneva Theatre is a stop - pickup and drop-off
Take Broad Street onto Wrigley Drive, follow Wrigley Drive to Baker Street and turn left
The bottom of Broad as it becomes Wrigley is a stop - pickup and drop-off
Take Baker Street onto Lakeshore Drive, follow Lakeshore Drive to Campbell Street and turn
left
Seminary Park is a potential stop - pickup and drop-off
Take Campbell Street to Wells Street and turn left
Alternate: pull through Cove lot and take Wells Street to West Main Street and turn left
Take West Main Street to Lakeshore Drive and turn left
(Could pull through Cove Lot and avoid Intersection at Main)
Take Wells Street to West Main Street and turn left
Take West Main Street to Lakeshore Drive and turn left
The Cove is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Take Lakeshore Drive to Campbell Street and turn left
Take Campbell Street to Wells Street and turn right
Take Wells Street to Bloomfield Road and turn left
Circle through school complex and turn right on Bloomfield Road
Lake Geneva Middle School is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Turn right on Bloomfield Road and turn left on Hwy 120
Take Hwy 120 to Townline Road and turn right
Take Townline Road to Veterans Parkway and circle through lots
Veterans Park is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Turn right out of Veterans Park onto Veterans Parkway
Take Veterans Parkway to Park Drive and turn left
Take Park Drive to Hwy 120/Edwards Blvd and turn right
Take 120/Edwards Blvd to Sheridan Springs and follow road left
City lot near Serv Pro is a stop - parking, pickup and drop-off
Take Sheridan Springs to Interchange North and turn left on Interchange North
Take Interchange North to Center Street and turn left
Center Street to Town Bank
Map with route marked in black line -
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1y5IkZLYGDm--
HWW3XZm_QwU9d5djbOo&usp=sharing
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CONTRACTOR-OWNED RFP
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