Household Travel Survey

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NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Household Travel Survey

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is seeking a qualified consultant to assist with a Household Travel Survey for the Thurston Region in Olympia, Washington. 

This work is funded by a Surface Transportation Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

TRPC will be the lead agency in administering this RFP and associated work.  

TRPC, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award. 

Application Process

Interested firms may respond with a proposal to be considered for the contract. Download a copy of the RFP above.

Or contact:

Veena Tabbutt, Deputy Director
Thurston Regional Planning Council
2411 Chandler Court SW
Olympia, WA  98502
Phone: (360) 741-2550
Email: tabbutv@trpc.org 

Interested parties must submit an electronic copy in PDF format by Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

RFP Questions & Answers

Q1. The RFP indicates “a target sample size has not been established,” but does TRPC anticipate the current survey to emulate, as much as possible, the 2013 Household Travel Survey with a sample size of 2,500 completed surveys or very close to that? 

We would like to have as many samples as possible within our available budget, and are looking for the Consultant to describe options, as we recognize collection methodology will determine the cost per sample. 

Q2. The 2013 survey completed a survey among 1% of the households in the overall study area (2% of Thurston County alone). Is that the goal for this survey? 

Not necessarily – we’d be looking for guidance on this. Our model has been expanded since 2013 to include Grays Harbor and Lewis Counties, so we are also looking for some sampling in those areas.

Q3. If TRPC does not have a sample size in mind, the RFP states a need for a statistically valid sample…to accurately represent the region.” At what statistical precision is TRPC requiring and at what confidence interval? 

We would look to the consultant for guidance on this.

Q4. The 2013 survey sampled at a sub-region level (Table 1 of the 2013 survey report). Is the same number of sub-regions required for this survey? If so, will the sampling rate need to be the same? 

We would like similar sample stratifications for areas Table 1 and modes Table 2. (2013 Household Travel Survey Report). Sample size goals are yet to be determined.

Q4. The RFP states, “The contractor shall consider whether passive data should be used to expand/calibrate survey data.” If passive data is proposed, does the cost for procurement/leasing of the data included in the survey budget of $290,000? 

No – we have a separate budget set aside for passive data.

Q5. As in 2013, does TRPC anticipate the need to conduct a separate survey of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) residents? If so, is that part of the current scope and budget? 

No – we do not see the need for that at this time.

Q6. Does TRPC expect full translation of all survey instruments (in addition to public engagement materials)?

If so, will TRPC also arrange for written translation of the survey instruments? A.If materials are required to be translated, TRPC will arrange and pay for the translation.

Q7. Would TRPC accept résumés of the firm’s key personnel presented as an appendix to the proposal response, excluded from the page limitations?

No. Please keep your submittal within the page limits.

Q8. Would a transmittal letter, if included in the response, count towards the page limit?

No, a transmittal letter will not count towards the page limit.

Q9. The RFP refers to a “sixteen (16) percent mandatory DBE goal” as established by WSDOT Local programs. Are respondents required to meet the DBE goal, or is there a formal way to document good faith efforts?

We can apply for a waiver if no qualified applicants meet the DBE goal, but it would be up to WSDOT whether or not it is approved. Documenting good faith efforts to meet the goal would be helpful if the goal cannot be met.

Updated 9/23/2021