Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Technology Components

(v.12/06/2021) Request for Information # 274 - 20220317 Title: Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Technology Components Issue Date: May 23, 2022 Due Date: July 8, 2022, by 4pm EST Issuing Department: Transportation - Transit Direct all inquiries concerning this RFI to: Het Patel Program Manager Email: het.patel@raleighnc.gov mailto:het.patel@raleighnc.gov Table of Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 2 1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................. 2 1.2 Intent .................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Background ........................................................................................ 2 1.4 RFI Timeline

...................................................................................... 3 1.5 RFI Submission Questions ................................................................ 3 1.6 RFI Submission Requirements and Contact Information ................... 4 1.7 Rights to Submitted Material .............................................................. 4 1.8 Communications ................................................................................ 5 1.9 Proposer Expenses ........................................................................... 5 2. Submittals ................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Letter of Transmittal ........................................................................... 5 2.2 Title Page ........................................................................................... 5 2.3 Table of Contents ............................................................................. 5 2.4 Requested Information ..................................................................... 5 2.5 Work Samples and References ........................................................ 6 3. Review of Submittals ............................................................................... 6 3.1 Optional Interviews and Product Demonstrations .............................. 6 3.2 Notice to Proposers Regarding RFI Terms and Conditions ............... 6 4. Requested Information ............................................................................ 7 4.1 Interactive Displays ............................................................................ 7 4.2 Real Time Arrival Information Signage .............................................. 8 4.3 Count Down Arrival Display ............................................................... 8 2 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose The City of Raleigh (COR) is requesting information and technical data from vendors to evaluate the current “state of the art” of technology options for implementation of Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, specifically: 1. Interactive screen displays; 2. Real time arrival information signage (LCD, E-paper or other), and; 3. Lighting solutions for bus arrival countdown at station totems/pylons. Upon evaluation of available technology on the market, the City of Raleigh intends to competitively procure, through a separate process, above technology for installation on the Wake Bus Rapid Transit system. Please note this is a Request for Information (RFI) and is not a “solicitation,” “Request for Qualifications (RFQ),” “Request for Proposals (RFP),” or procurement of any kind. Additional information is provided in Section 4 of this document. All information related to this RFI, including any addenda, will be posted to the North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System (IPS) at: https://www.ips.state.nc.us/IPS/. All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the following individual: Contact Name Email Address Het Patel, Program Manager Het.patel@raleighnc.gov Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered. 1.2 Intent The intent of this RFI is to: A. Collect and evaluate information and data of commercially fabricated outdoor rated fully self-contained signage, for both interactive screen displays and real time arrival information signage (LCD, E-paper or other) B. Evaluate what signage systems are available and analyze their capability, mounting, electrical and communications system C. Gather information related to lighting solutions for bus arrival countdown at station totems/pylons. 1.3 Background The City of Raleigh, located in Wake County, North Carolina, remains one of the fastest growing areas in the country. A great economy, top educational institutions, and exceptional health care facilities are some of the characteristics that attract people to the triangle area. The City leads to improve quality of life for neighborhoods and standard of living for all citizens. In 2016, Wake County voters chose to invest in the Wake Transit Plan with a half-cent transit- designated sales tax. The Wake Transit Plan was sponsored by Wake County, with participation https://www.ips.state.nc.us/IPS/ mailto:Het.patel@raleighnc.gov 3 from 7 regional partners. The Wake Transit Plan includes four “Big Moves” to: Connect the region; connect all Wake County communities; create frequent, reliable urban mobility; and, enhance access to transit. The Wake Transit Plan was updated in 2021 and provided recommendations for both long-range and near-term solutions for the region, focusing on tripling countywide bus service, increasing the number of high frequency routes running every 15 minutes or less, adding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and commuter rail systems, and funding additional on-demand trips to serve the unincorporated area of the county. The plan envisions that Wake BRT would be deployed along the following four (4) corridors, covering approximately 20 miles: 1) New Bern Avenue corridor from Downtown Raleigh to New Hope Road 2) Western corridor from Downtown Raleigh to Downtown Cary 3) Southern corridor from Downtown Raleigh to Garner 4) Northern corridor from Downtown Raleigh to North Raleigh The goal is to implement all planned BRT corridors by 2030 with the first BRT project being operational as early as 2024. This Request for Information (RFI) will help inform the City of Raleigh’s future procurement of system wide technology components for integration into the Wake BRT system. 1.4 Request for Information (RFI) Timeline Provided below is a list of the anticipated schedule of events related to this solicitation. The City of Raleigh reserves the right to modify and/or adjust the following schedule to meet the needs of the service. All times shown are Eastern Time (EST): 1.5 RFI Submission Questions Requests for clarification and questions to this RFI must be received by the City not later than the date shown above in the RFI Timeline (Section 1.3) for the submittal of written inquires. The City shall issue addenda reflecting questions and answers to this RFI, if any, and shall be posted to North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System (IPS). No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any City personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection with this RFI, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Respondents shall be entitled to rely only on written material contained in an Addendum to this RFI. RFI Process Date and Time RFI Advertisement Date May 23, 2022 Deadline for Written Questions June 7, 2022 City Response to Questions (anticipated) June 14, 2022 RFI Submissions Due Date and Time July 8, 2022 by 4:00 PM EST Optional interviews and product demonstrations may be requested Summer-Fall 2022 4 It is important that all Respondents submitting to this RFI periodically check the North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System (IPS) for any Addenda. It is the Respondents responsibility to ensure that all addenda have been reviewed and, if required signed and returned. All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the following individual: Contact Name Email Address Het Patel, Program Manager Het.patel@raleighnc.gov Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered. 1.6 RFI Submission Requirements and Contact Information Submissions must follow the format as defined in Section 2, and be addressed and submitted as follows: DELIVERED BY EMAIL Contact Name: Het Patel, Program Manager Email Address: Het.patel@raleighnc.gov RFI No. 20220317 The submittal must be a viewable and printable Adobe Portable Document File (PDF). The submission must be received by the City on or before the RFI due date and time provided in RFI Timeline (Section 1.3). Proposers may respond to specific sections of the Request for Information or the entire RFI (total of three (3) technology components - see Section 1.1). Submitting a response and vendor information does not constitute an offer to the City of Raleigh or create any obligation to the vendor. Similarly, failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude vendors from responding to a future procurement. Regardless of the delivery method, it is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that their submittal arrives at the designated location specified in this Section by the due date and time specified in the RFI Timeline (Section 1.3). 1.7 Rights to Submitted Material All submittals and supporting materials, as well as correspondence relating to this RFI, shall become the property of the City. The content of all submittals will be held confidential. Submittals will be reviewed by the Department of Transportation - Transit Division, as well as other City staff and members of the general public who submit public record requests. Any proprietary data must be clearly marked. With a submittal, each vendor agrees that the City may reveal any trade secret materials contained in such response to all City staff and City officials involved in the review process. mailto:Het.patel@raleighnc.gov mailto:Het.patel@raleighnc.gov 5 1.8 Communications In cases where communication is required between vendors and the City of Raleigh, such as requests for information, instruction, and clarification of general project information, such communication shall be forwarded in writing directly to Het Patel at het.patel@raleighnc.gov by the indicated deadline. The subject line of electronic communications must reference the RFI number and title. 1.9 Proposer Expenses The City of Raleigh will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any vendor in the development of a response to this Request for Information or any other activities associated with this RFI including but not limited to any onsite (or otherwise) interviews and/or presentations, and/or supplemental information provided, submitted, or given to City of Raleigh and/or its representatives. 2 Submittals Responses to this RFI should provide information in a concise, well written and well organized matter containing only information relevant to this request. No pricing information is to be included within the submittal. All responses must follow the format outlined below. A single document submittal is requested and shall not exceed 30 pages, single-sided. All pages should be numbered. All responses must follow the format outlined below. 2.1 Letter of Transmittal The letter of transmittal should include the following: • Summary of information that vendor is providing in response to RFI. • General business background: provide a brief overview of the vendor and business, including when and where incorporated, and major business activities. State whether the firm is local, regional or national. • Include the name, address, telephone and email address of the designated contact for the vendor 2.2 Title Page Show the RFI number and title, the name of the vendor, address, telephone number(s), email address and date. 2.3 Table of Contents Clearly identify the materials submitted by section and page number. 2.4 Requested Information All pages in the submittal must be “8.5x11” and no additional correspondence should be submitted. Work sample exhibits may be “11x17”. Provide the information requested in Section 4. Submittals may include diagrams, pictures or other materials that be of interest to the City of Raleigh. mailto:het.patel@raleighnc.gov