Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Regional Transit Study (RFQ #2026-05-01)

Agency:	Western Connecticut Council of Governments
State:	Connecticut
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541330 - Engineering Services 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Posted Date:	May 26, 2026
Due Date:	Jul 7, 2026
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Western Connecticut Council of Governments

(WestCOG)

Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Regional Transit Study

(RFQ# 2026-05-01)

Release Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Statement of Qualifications Due Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Contents

Section 1: Solicitation Notice ................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Notice........................................................................................................................................ 5

1.2 Communications with WestCOG ............................................................................................... 5

1.3 Submission of Qualifications ..................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Schedule................................................................................................................................... 5

1.5 Nonresponsive Submittals ........................................................................................................ 6

1.6 Late, Modified, or Withdrawn Submittals.................................................................................. 6

1.7 Pre-contractual Expenses........................................................................................................... 6

1.8 Pre-SOQ Submittal Meeting....................................................................................................... 6

1.9 Requests for Clarification........................................................................................................... 6

1.10 Addenda.................................................................................................................................... 6

1.11 Public Disclosure of Information........................................................................................... 7

1.12 Protest Procedures ................................................................................................................... 7

Section 2: Background ........................................................................................................................... 10

2.1

About WestCOG ................................................................................................................. 10

2.2

Study Purpose .................................................................................................................... 11

2.3

Study Location.................................................................................................................... 12

2.4

Information for Transit Operators in the Western Connecticut Planning Region ................. 14

Section 3. Study Approach and Tasks..................................................................................................... 16

3.1

Summary............................................................................................................................ 16

3.2

Implementation and Decision-Oriented Approach.............................................................. 16

3.3

Prior Plans and Studies ....................................................................................................... 17

3.4

Study Tasks........................................................................................................................ 18

3.4a: Project Management, Coordination, and Decision Management ........................................ 18

3.4b: Technical Advisory Committee ........................................................................................... 20

3.4c: Public and Stakeholder Engagement................................................................................... 21

3.4d Integrated Transit Diagnostic - Existing Conditions, Rider/Market Analysis, Origin-

Destination Matrix, and Congruency Analysis ................................................................. 23

3.4e: Existing Systems, Networks, Services, and Known Problems ............................................... 23

3.4f: Baseline Access and Service Alignment Analysis ................................................................. 25

3.4g: Rider Profile and Survey ..................................................................................................... 25

3.4h: Origin-Destination Matrix and Travel Market Analysis ........................................................ 26

3.4i: Congruency Analysis: Service Alignment, Gaps, and Opportunities ..................................... 27

3.4j: Improvement Concepts, Screening, Service Alternatives, and Scenario Development ......... 29

3.4k: Initial Improvement Concepts and Screening...................................................................... 29

3.4l: Revenue-Neutral and No-Regards Improvement Track ....................................................... 30

3.4m: Additional-Funding Scenarios ............................................................................................. 30

3.4n: Alternative Development and Evaluation ........................................................................... 30

3.4o: Findings, Recommendations, Final Report, and Implementation Matrix ............................. 33

Section 4: Required Content of Submittals............................................................................................. 36

Section 5: General Instructions and Requirements................................................................................. 38

5.1

Inquiries ............................................................................................................................. 38

5.2

Pre-Submittal Meeting ....................................................................................................... 38

5.3

Signature Requirements ..................................................................................................... 38

5.4

Statements of Qualifications from Consortia, Joint Ventures and Teams ............................ 38

5.5

Submission of Qualifications Statements ............................................................................ 38

5.6

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Requirement...................................................... 39

5.7

FTA General Terms and Conditions..................................................................................... 39

5.8

Insurance Requirements..................................................................................................... 39

5.9

Addenda and Supplements................................................................................................. 40

5.10 Rejection Rights ................................................................................................................. 40

5.11 Multiple Awards................................................................................................................. 40

5.12 Cost of Qualifications Statement Preparation ..................................................................... 41

5.13 Interest of Members or Delegates to Congress................................................................... 41

5.14 Prohibited Interest ............................................................................................................. 41

5.15 Other ................................................................................................................................. 41

Section 6 – Format, Selection Procedures, Award and Resources........................................................... 42

6.1

Required Format ................................................................................................................ 42

6.2

Selection Procedures.......................................................................................................... 42

6.3

Award ................................................................................................................................ 43

6.4

Resources........................................................................................................................... 43

Section 7 – Exhibits................................................................................................................................ 44

Exhibit A: Federal Requirements ........................................................................................................ 44

Exhibit B: CTDOT Requirements (CTDOT-WestCOG Master Agreement)............................................. 57

Exhibit C: WestCOG Standard Contract .............................................................................................. 91

Section 1: Solicitation Notice

1.1 Notice

Notice is hereby given that the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG)

has released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2026-05-01 to identify and select a qualified

vendor to analyze public transportation needs in Western Connecticut.

This project is being funded with USDOT Neighborhood Access and Equity funds through

the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

1.2 Communications with WestCOG

Upon release of this RFQ, all communications concerning this procurement must be

directed to:

Francis R. Pickering, Executive Director

WestCOG

1 Riverside Road

Sandy Hook, CT 06482-1281

(o) 475-323-2057

ccarpenter@westcog.org

1.3 Submission of Qualifications

Qualifications shall be prepared as described in Section 3 of this RFQ. Statements of

Qualifications (SOQs) shall be sent via e-mail in PDF format to:

Francis R. Pickering, Executive Director – ccarpenter@westcog.org

WestCOG will accept complete Statements of Qualifications, by email only, until 4:00

p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Statements of Qualifications must be submitted to

Francis Pickering, Executive Director, at ccarpenter@westcog.org.

Statements of Qualifications that are incomplete will not be considered.

1.4 Schedule

a) RFQ issued: Tuesday, May 26, 2026

b) Pre-SOQ meeting (virtual, tentative): Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 12:00 noon

c) Clarifications/questions due to WestCOG: Friday, June 19, 2026 by 4:00 p.m.

d) Answers/clarifications provided by WestCOG on or before: Friday, June 26, 2026

e) Submittals due: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. by email

f) Virtual Interviews (tentative): week of August 10, 2026

g) Initiation of negotiations with selected proponent (tentative): mid-August, 2026

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

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