Once your project has been accepted into the Community Planning Program, the RTA provides two options for procuring a consultant for your project; an RTA-led procurement and an applicant-led procurement.  Both options are described in more detail below.

• RTA-Led Procurement Process
  The RTA has pre-qualified consulting firms on an existing task order contract to complete Community Planning projects.  By choosing this method, a traditional Request for Proposals (RFP) is not released.  Instead, the project description and scope of work from the application will be submitted directly to all of the pre-qualified firms.   Interested firms will submit a proposal to the RTA, including both a proposed scope of work and budget.  The RTA will work closely with the applicant to choose a preferred consulting firm.  Once the consultant is selected, the applicant will enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the RTA, and the RTA will execute a task order contract with the consultant. Once the project is initiated, the RTA will assist the applicant with project management activities and will handle requisition processing.

• Applicant-Led Procurement Process
  By choosing this method, the applicant will prepare and release an RFP and choose the consultant through an open procurement process.  Prior to releasing the RFP, a technical services agreement will be executed between the applicant and the RTA for a “not to exceed” budget amount.  The applicant will then select a preferred consultant from the proposals that were received, and execute a professional services agreement with that selected consultant.  Once the project is initiated, the applicant will be the lead on project management activities, including consultant management and requisition processing.