R --Developing and testing a toolkit of resources designed to reduce conflict between transportation planning agencies and the communities they serve

NA The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) in support of the FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program plans to procure a sole source from the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP), Washington, D.C., to provide expertise in community-based transportation planning by developing and testing a toolkit of resources designed to reduce conflict that can occur between transportation planning agencies and the communities they serve. This effort will require the contractor to gather data, through literature review and interviews of experts; identify conflict factors, based on analysis of data gathered; develop or obtain resources and tools designed to respond to conflict factors identified; test resources, by conducting case studies of their effi cacy in several real world transportation contexts; and compile final toolkit. This procurement will be conducted under Simplified Acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Small business firms classified under NAICS Code 541990, Business Size Standard $6M, that are interested in proposing on this requirement must respond in writing no later than 15 days from the date of this publication that they possess a nationally recognized specialization in the field of community-based organizations (CBOs). The contractor must have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of transportation planning, including familiarity with problems and issues related to delay of transportation projects, with particular emphasis on the role that community stakeholders play in the transportation planni ng process. The contractor must have a history of partnering with community-based organizations for research on the impact of transportation planning on the human and natural environments. The contractor must have prior research experience working with transportation planning organizations such as state and local Departments of Transportation (DOTs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and public transportation providers. The contractor must also possess a strong working relationship with a broad cross-section of the people and organizations that will be the subject of this research. This proposed action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority in FAR Part 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for comp etitive quotes. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses received to this notice would normally be considered, solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The RFQ issuance will be on or about March 8, 2004. Small business firms will be required to submit a maximum of three but not less than two pages of documentation in support of the above for evaluation prior to receiving a solicitation. No telephone requests will be accepted – only written requests for this solicitation will be accepted, however, we will accept requests via facsimile at (617) 494-3024, ATTN: Karen Marino, DTS-853.