This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Traverse City, Michigan. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Prospective bidders are solely responsible for understanding the requirements of this RFP. Questions regarding any part of this proposal should be submitted in writing to the Project Contact. All questions and answers will be made available to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders who direct questions and inquiries about this RFP to persons at BATA other than the Project Contact invite disqualification of their proposals. Background BATA currently employs more than 120 people and has an annual ridership of about 390,000. It provides transportation to both residents and visitors in Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties. BATA provides essential transportation to seniors, persons with disabilities, students and employees. Services include fixed route buses such as BATA's free, high-frequency Bayline or its on-demand door to door Link service. Additionally, BATA offers seasonal services such as Biken-Ride, Ski-n-Ride, festival transportation and various event transportation, broadening standard service offerings. More information can be found by visiting bata.net. BATA is again positioned for growth, and showcasing BATA's community value is the first step. Recent highlights include: o Hiring additional staff with increased wages and active driver recruitment o Expanding services as we work to restoring pre-COVID service levels o Launching new transit technologies such as mobile apps and real-time bus tracking to make it easier for people to use public transit o Increasing year over year ridership and adapting to increased demand o Passing a 5-year local millage renewal in 2022 o Building a new operations headquarters slated to be completed in 2024 o Transitioning to a small urban transit agency o Celebrating 40 year anniversary in 2024 Although BATA has made great progress recovering from the impacts of COVID, there is still more the agency can do to further promote the overall value the organization provides to the community. There are still opportunities to reach people that aren't familiar with the services BATA offers and how it provides an essential service to our region. Current Mission BATA delivers safe, high-quality, efficient and reliable transportation services in its region that link people, jobs, and communities. NOTE: BATA's mission is currently being refined as part of a Board strategic planning process. I. Scope BATA is seeking proposals to hire an agency to assist with the creation and execution of a Community Strategic Communications Plan that provides consistent and comprehensive outreach. Areas of focus include: 1. Educate - both current and new riders of BATA's services, technologies, etc. 2. Attract - potential riders, or riders of choice, that may not be familiar with BATA and its transportation options by focusing on the customer experience 3. Inform - the community at large of the value BATA provides encouraging economic development and upward mobility Written Questions to BATA Due By December 13, 2023, by 5:00 PM EST BATA's Responses to Questions Released December 15, 2023 Possible In-Person Presentations January 8-12, 2024 Anticipated Award Date January 25, 2024 Project Start Date February 2024 Return one (1) signed original and two (2) copies of your response to this RFP. Your response should include all requested and required information, as well as any supporting data needed to complete your response. Late responses and responses received by fax or other means will not be considered. Bidders are solely responsible for confirming that their responses were received in a timely way. BATA will not pay for, reimburse, or otherwise accept any delivery charges incurred by bidders in connection with this RFP. Questions, uncertainties, noted discrepancies and omissions regarding this RFP shall be submitted immediately in writing to the Project Contact by 5 p.m. January 5, 2024. Should any reported issues require clarification, written instructions or an addendum to this RFP will be distributed to all potential bidders. BATA will not accept any responsibility for any oral interpretation of the requirements. Bidders should rely only on the written responses of BATA. : In order to help facilitate the process of answering questions and distributing any addenda BATA requests that all interested parties submit a NOI to Eric Lingaur via email (lingaure@bata.net) on or before 5 p.m. January 5, 2024. 4. BATA reserves the right to solicit additional information from bidders to aid our determination of the bid that best meets the needs of BATA. If our request for additional information on a proposal is not met in a timely way, BATA reserves the right to reject the proposal as non-conforming. 5. BATA reserves the right to reject or accept any bids, in part or whole; select bidders whose proposals best meet the needs of BATA without respect to the lowest cost proposal; and negotiate terms of the proposal to ensure the best interests of BATA are met. BATA does not assume any contractual obligations or duties as the result of issuing this RFP. No employment relationship will be assumed between BATA and the successful bidder. 6. Bidders are not entitled to use BATA's name, service mark(s), trademarks or trade names without the express written permission of BATA.