PART II
SCHEDULE
SECTION
TITLE
D
Scope of Services
E
Special Terms and Conditions
RFP No. 016-017
Federal Relations Services
Virginia Railway Express
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SECTION D
SCOPE OF SERVICES
___________________________________________________
D.1
OVERVIEW
A.
The selected consulting firm is referred to herein as either the “Consultant”
or the “Contractor.” If the firm chooses to use the services of
Subconsultant(s), they will be referred to either as the “Subconsultant(s)”
or “Subcontractor(s).”
B.
The Consultant must provide all staff, supervision, materials, supplies, and
transportation required to complete the Scope of Services to the
satisfaction of VRE.
C.
The Consultant shall assist VRE in assessing the potential opportunities or
problems associated with recent or proposed legislation or regulations and
attaining Federal support for VRE’s programs and legislative issues in the
adopted VRE Legislative Agenda.
D.
VRE seeks to increase awareness of potential impacts and advantages of
proposed legislation or regulatory rules and to gain assistance in
identifying and securing funding to help VRE continue to provide safe and
high quality service while expanding its rail service. With the passage of
the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Congress has
instituted a number of new funding opportunities that can assist VRE in
the implementation of its long range System Plan 2040. Additionally,
VRE is seeking insight and guidance in positioning the commuter rail
operation to secure transportation funding through other revenue streams.
E.
Moreover, VRE seeks assistance in preparing information to help in
advocating VRE’s needs at the Federal level, including the Executive and
Legislative branches, whether that be through direct meetings with
members and staff, attending committee meetings or developing strategies
for successfully advancing VRE’s needs.
F.
It will be at VRE’s sole discretion to assign tasks/projects, if any, to the
Consultant. VRE reserves the right to require the Consultant to perform
additional tasks outside of the Scope of Services and work level. The
Consultant shall provide proposals to perform additional tasks.
RFP No. 016-017
Federal Relations Services
Virginia Railway Express
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G.
D.2
VRE reserves the right to advertise via open competitive Request for
Proposals (RFP) or Request for Quotes (RFQ) for any projects requiring
additional resources at any time during the Contract. The Consultant shall
be afforded the opportunity to submit Proposals for any advertised RFP or
RFQ.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The Consultant shall be responsible for, but not be limited to, the following tasks:
D.3
A.
For VRE’s Federal level audience, serve as the primary point of contact
for VRE and manage the interests of VRE.
B.
Coordinate any additional VRE activities, such as legislative forums,
meetings, and other events as deemed appropriate.
C.
Maintain an office in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area for the
purposes of this Contract to ensure constant and immediate contact with all
relevant entities (e.g., Congressional members and staff, Executive Branch
principals and staff, etc.).
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
A.
RFP No. 016-017
Federal Relations Services
Virginia Railway Express
Government Relations - The Consultant shall be responsible for, but not
be limited to, the following tasks:
1.
Monitor, track, and inform VRE of rail or transit issues and rule
making with the Administration, Federal agencies and Congress
that may directly or indirectly impact VRE, its parent
Commissions or member jurisdictions, under the direction of the
VRE Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations.
2.
Assist VRE with implementing its adopted legislative agenda to
include drafting of legislation, regulations, policy statements and
position papers consistent with the issues of concern and interest.
3.
Review and comment on pending legislation, authorizations,
appropriations, regulations, rules and issues of interest to VRE.
4.
Establish and maintain liaison with Federal level entities,
appropriate elected officials and their staffs, Congressional
Committee staffs, and industry groups, to allow VRE the ability to
discuss, advocate or oppose, inform, and educate on issues of
concern and interest.
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B.
RFP No. 016-017
Federal Relations Services
Virginia Railway Express
5.
Provide political and policy analysis and research, critical feedback
and comments on issues and activities impacting rail or transit.
6.
Recommend and coordinate meetings for VRE staff, its Operations
Board or members of its parent Commissions with legislative
leadership, committee chairmen and members to discuss, advocate
or oppose, inform, and educate on issues of concern and interest.
7.
Identify and attend legislative committee meetings and any
relevant task force or sub-committee meetings considering
legislation or involving discussion of issues of concern and interest
to VRE.
8.
Prepare materials for VRE staff, members of the Operations Board
or Commissions for testimony on VRE’s behalf at legislative
committees concerning issues of concern and interest.
9.
Report on legislative activities and prepare reports on legislation,
regulations and issues of concern.
10.
Work with VRE, its parent Commissions and government relations
representatives from its member jurisdictions to coordinate a
regional approach to transit issues.
Strategic Planning and Analysis - The Consultant shall be responsible
for, but not be limited, to the following tasks:
1.
Assist with strategic planning by identifying challenging or
potentially challenging issues, proactively advising VRE on issues
that may impact rail or transit policies, programs or other emerging
long range issues, and provide practical plans/initiatives for
addressing them. These issues include, but are not limited to,
Positive Train Control (PTC), Northeast Corridor, rail liability,
safety and security, as well as applicable transportation regulations
and funding.
2.
Develop research-based strategic plans for reducing opposition or
building support for issues/projects associated with the adopted
VRE Federal Legislative Agenda or other issues as they arise,
including preparation of actionable outreach plans that address
concerns of opponents, and specify activities needed to respond to
issues in order to achieve a favorable result.
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3.
C.
RFP No. 016-017
Federal Relations Services
Virginia Railway Express
Provide advice to VRE in the following general areas: statutory
impediments to transit or rail operations, performance measures
related to transit or rail operation, implementation of the VRE
System Plan 2040, and project funding and financing opportunities
or approaches.
Funding and Other Assistance - The Consultant shall be responsible for,
but not be limited, to the following tasks:
1.
Research and provide information on opportunities available
through the FTA and FRA including the FAST Act; Railroad
Rehabilitation Improvement and Financing (RRIF); Consolidated
Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grants; Freight
Program Grants; and innovative financing mechanisms including
those available through the newly established National Surface
Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau.
2.
Establish and maintain liaison with Federal level entities,
appropriate elected officials and their staffs, Congressional
Committee staffs, and industry groups, to allow VRE the ability to
discuss, advocate or oppose, inform, and educate on funding and
financing issues.
3.
Coordinate meetings for VRE Operations Board members and staff
with the above referenced persons and agencies.
4.
Provide support, strategy and guidance on securing Capital
Investment Grants (New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity),
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
(TIGER), and State of Good Repair funding agreements from the
United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
5.
Assist VRE in securing Federal funding for capital facilities,
equipment and rolling stock purchases, and operating assistance as
requested by VRE and its parent Commissions and member
jurisdictions.
6.
Develop position papers and comments to regulations and policy
statements consistent with the issues of concern and interest.
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