Federal Legislative Consulting Services

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Request for Proposal
26-00187-AHAC
(Requisition No. VXD00038)
for
Federal Legislative Consulting Services
July 2026
1

Federal Legislative Consulting Services
Contents
Part I - Instructions & Information
Part II - Contract
Attachments
1. Technical Proposal
2. Scope of Services
3. Price Proposal
4. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Provisions for Contracts
5. Certification Regarding Lobbying
6. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Requirements
7. SEPTA Solicitation Statistics
8. Project Progress and Performance Evaluation
9. Certification Regarding Compliance with Immigration Reform and
Control Act of 1986
10. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Contract Requirements
11. SEPTA EEO Contractual Requirements
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Part I
Instructions and Information
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Request for Proposal 26-00187-AHAC
Federal Legislative Consulting Services
SECTION 1 - INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR PROPOSERS
I. You (hereinafter referred to as "Proposer") are requested to submit a formal proposal
(hereinafter referred to as "Proposal") for the required services detailed in Attachment 2
(hereinafter referred to as "Scope of Services) in accordance with this Request for Proposal
(RFP). Any Proposal submitted must comply with the requirements of this RFP as herein
stated including all applicable Federal, State and Local laws, and is to be signed by an
officer legally authorized to bind Proposer to a Contract (hereinafter referred to as
"Contract") and shall be submitted to SEPTA in writing, in the time and in the manner
described herein.
II. FORM OF PROPOSAL
The Proposal must address all items set forth in Attachment 2, "Scope of Services."
A. Technical Proposal: This shall include but not be limited to the following
information:
1. A statement concerning the Proposer's interpretation of the Project
objectives, and a description of the services as understood by the Proposer.
The services described by Proposer must be fully responsive to this
RFP. Eliminations or qualifications by Proposer of performance of
services required by this RFP may result in a Proposal being judged
non-responsive.
2. A Project organization chart identifying Proposer's manager of the Project
and all other "key" personnel. SEPTA retains the right to reject or accept
proposed Project personnel. Resumes shall be provided to identify the
qualifications and experience of the manager of the Project and all key
personnel. Except as specified in Paragraph 6 of the attached Contract,
SEPTA will not permit a change in the manager of the Project or key
personnel after award, if any, to the successful proposing firm.
3. Proposer shall state the full name of the entity as it will appear on all final
contract documents. If the Proposer is a joint venture, then a copy of any
written agreement that exists between the members of each party to the joint
venture shall be included as part of the Technical Proposal. Such agreement
shall fully discuss and identify the responsibility of the joint venture for
performing the services provided. However, the joint venture must comply
with Section 37 of the contract.
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B. Price Proposal: The price to SEPTA for performing all the SEPTA required scope
of services must be detailed in the Price Proposal. The Price Proposal will be
submitted to SEPTA as a SEPARATE DOCUMENT IN A SEALED
ENVELOPE. Price Proposals which exclude or restrict cost items necessary
for a Proposer to perform the SEPTA required scope of services are not
acceptable and may be considered by SEPTA as non-responsive to the RFP.
1. The Price Proposal shall be submitted using the form included in
Attachment 3 along with any other additional information required to make
it complete.
2. The requirements of this RFP should be carefully reviewed by
Proposer prior to preparation of its Price Proposal. In preparation of
its Price Proposal, Proposer must assume that SEPTA will not make
modifications to the terms of the Contract as attached.
III. RESPONSIBILITY OF PROPOSER
SEPTA will only award a contract to a firm which it has determined to be responsible. The
Proposer shall furnish adequate documentation to permit SEPTA to determine the
responsibility of Proposer within five (5) calendar days of SEPTA's written request. A
responsible Proposer is one that meets the following standards:
1. Integrity and Ethics - Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics, in
compliance with 49 U.S.C. Section 5325(j) (2) (A);
2. Debarment and Suspension - Is neither debarred nor suspended from Federal
programs under DOT regulations, "Non procurement Suspension and Debarment,"
2CFR Parts 180 and 1200, or under FAR at 48CFR, Chapter 1 Part 9.4 or any
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania funded programs. This contract will also be
governed by the Contractor's/Consultant's responsibilities under 49 CFR, Part 29,
regarding debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters of any lower tier
covered transactions, as applicable.
3. DBE - Is in compliance with DOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
requirements, 49 CFR, Part 26;
4. Public Policy - Is in compliance with the public policies of the Federal
Government, as required by 49 U.S.C. Section 5325 (j) (2) (B) and Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania public policies;
5. Administrative and Technical Capacity - has the necessary organization,
experience, accounting, and operational controls and technical skills, or the ability
to obtain them in compliance with 79 U.S.C Section 5325 (j) (2) (D);
6. Licensing and Taxes - Is in compliance with applicable licensing and tax laws and
regulations;
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7. Financial Resources - has, or can obtain, sufficient financial resources to perform
the contract, as required by 49 U.S.C. Section 5325 (j) (2) (D);
8. Production Capability - Has, or can obtain, the necessary production, and technical
equipment and facilities;
9. Timeliness - Is able to comply with the required delivery or performance schedule,
taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business
commitments;
10. Performance Record provides a satisfactory current and past performance record.
IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
A. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
One (1) original of the Technical Proposal, plus 1 thumb drive in "PDF" format and
One (1) original of the Price Proposal, plus 1 thumb drive in pdf format, both in
separate envelopes (clearly marked) but which may be mailed/sent together to
SEPTA in a single package/box/envelope, shall be submitted to SEPTA's Contract
Administrator:
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Attn: Heather Casullo, Sr. Contract Administrator
Procurement & Supply Chain Management
1234 Market Street, 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3780
B. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL-NOT APPLICABLE
No Goal(s) Established - No Goal has been established for this procurement. If the
successful Proposer uses a DBE subcontractor/subconsultant with the contract, the
Proposer must include the properly executed DBE Participation Schedule with their
Technical Proposal. Please refer to the DBE section, Attachment #6.
C. SEPTA SOLICITATION STATISTICS SURVEY FOR DBE and NON-DBE
CONTRACTOR/CONSULTANT AND SUB CONTRACTOR/
SUBCONSULTANT FORM
SEPTA is not required to collect statistics regarding all firms proposing on prime
contracts and sub-contracts on DOT assisted projects in accordance with 49 CFR part
26.11. Although not required, SEPTA requests that Consultants voluntarily provide
copies of this form (Appendix 2) for each DBE and Non-DBE with your proposal
package for SEPTA internal reporting purposes only.
D. RIGHTS RESERVED BY SEPTA
In submitting the proposal, the Proposer understands that the right is reserved by SEPTA
to reject any and all proposals and/or to negotiate separately with any firm in any manner
deemed appropriate to serve its best interest. If any award of Contract is made because
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of these Proposals, it will be made based on the Proposal(s) which best satisfied the intent
of the RFP and other factors considered in the best interest of SEPTA. SEPTA is not
liable for any expenses incurred by Proposers in the development of its Proposal, or any
subsequent activity related to the Proposal.
Each BAFO submitted shall remain firm for at least one hundred and twenty (120) days
from the date of BAFO submittal and may not be withdrawn in whole or in part during
that time.
It is also understood and agreed that if the Proposer should withdraw any part or all of its
proposal within this one-hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the Best and Final
Offer (BAFO) without the consent of SEPTA, or shall refuse or be unable to enter into
the Contract as provided with these documents, it shall be liable to SEPTA to the extent
of SEPTA's damages occasioned by such withdrawal, or refusal, or inability to enter to
a contract.
E. MODIFICATIONS TO SEPTA'S FORM OF CONTRACT
If an award of Contract is made because of this RFP, the proposed form of Contract which
the Proposer will be required to execute is attached to this RFP, and as such the Proposers
are urged to review the Contract carefully. SEPTA may, at its sole discretion, consider
minor modifications to the terms of the proposed Contract. The Proposer must
specifically request such modifications by providing the proposed language within
the Questions & Answers phase. Any minor modifications submitted will be
reviewed and either denied or accepted by SEPTA. Any subsequent requests for
modifications may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive and may
lead to canceling any recommendation to a Proposer that makes such a request
outside of the allotted period.
The Contract requires that all tasks described in the RFP and/or Proposal shall be the
Proposer's sole responsibility and shall be performed by the Proposer and its
subcontractors/subconsultants. Due to the negotiation process (see RFP Section 2,
"Selection Process"), SEPTA may elect to revise the services described in the RFP and
the Proposal. The single document as amended through Addenda and negotiations shall
then become an Attachment to the Contract instead of the RFP and Proposal. SEPTA
expressly reserves the right to approve and/or modify, at its sole discretion, both form
and substance of any written Contract entered into pursuant to this RFP.
F. INSURANCE
Proposer and its subcontractor(s)/subconsultant(s) shall be required to provide, at their
own cost and expense, the insurance required in the Contract.
G. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
During the performance of the work, SEPTA will conduct at a minimum annually, a
formal performance evaluation of the Contract (See Attachment 8).
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H. TAXES
Proposer, because of any contract entered into pursuant to this RFP, may be subject to
certain business taxes imposed by, but not limited to, municipal, school district,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and/or the Federal government.
As to the sales tax imposed by the Commonwealth and some municipalities, Proposer is
directed to the provisions in Pennsylvania law found at 72 P.S. 72 7201 et seq. SEPTA
makes no representation that these statutes are the only relevant statutes that apply to this
Request for Proposal.
Proposer acknowledges that nothing in this RFP constitutes legal advice by SEPTA
thereon. Proposer, to whatever extent that Proposer deems necessary, must obtain its own
legal advice on any question concerning relevant taxes. Proposer is responsible for
investigating whether it is subject to municipal, school district, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, or Federal taxes and for paying such tax if applicable. Proposers are hereby
informed that SEPTA is obligated by law to furnish to governmental entities, upon their
request, the name and address of any person or firm with whom SEPTA has a contract
for goods and/or services.
I. PROPOSAL SECURITY- Not Used
J. DISCREPANCIES - DUTY OF PROPOSER TO CLARIFY AMBIGUITIES
Should a Proposer find any discrepancy or ambiguity, or omission from the scope of
work, or should it be in doubt as to their meaning, the Proposer must at once notify
SEPTA's Contract Administrator who will, if determined to be necessary, send a written
addendum for clarification purposes to all Proposers. Only written modifications issued
as addenda will affect changes in the RFP and/or Contract Documents. The failure of the
Proposer to clarify ambiguities prior to proposal submittal constitutes a waiver of their
right to raise any such ambiguity.
K. ADDENDA
The contents of all addenda to Proposers are to be incorporated in the proposal and will
become part of the RFP and/or Contract Documents.
L. CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING-Not Used
M. CERTIFICATION REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION
REFORM AND CONTROL ACT OF 1986
By signing and submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees to furnish the Certification
Regarding Compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 in compliance
with the requirements stated in 8 U.S.C. 1324 (a). The signed Certification must be
submitted with the submission of the technical proposal (See Attachment 9).
N. NON-COLLUSION REQUIREMENT
In the event Proposer is recommended to the SEPTA Board for award, the Proposer
hereby agrees to sign an Affidavit of Non-Collusion, if requested by SEPTA, in a form
acceptable to SEPTA prior to the award, if any, of the contract.
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O. SEPTA's RFP PROTEST PROCEDURE
The definitions, policies and procedures cited below are applicable to this section only.
1.0 PURPOSE
1.1 This section describes the policies and procedures governing the receipt and
resolution of protests in connection with a Request for Proposal (RFP). This
procedure is applicable to all RFP's more than $25,000. Proposal protests for
RFP's less than $25,000 shall be informally handled by the Assistant General
Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain Management or his/her designee.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
2.1 "Interested Party" means any proposer.
2.2 "Days" means business days.
2.3 "Filed" means the date of receipt by The Office of SEPTA's Assistant General
Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain Management or his/her designee
(hereinafter Assistant General Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain
Management).
2.4 "Federal/State Law or Regulation" means any valid requirement imposed by
Federal, State, or other Statute or regulation.
2.5 "Presumptive Contractor/Consultant" means the proposer that is in line for award
of the contract if the protest is denied.
2.6 "Protestant" is an Interested Party who is aggrieved in connection with the
solicitation or award of a contract and who files a protest.
3.0 TYPES OF PROTESTS/ TIME LIMITS
3.1 Pre-Bid/Proposal Protest is based upon alleged restrictive specifications or alleged
improprieties in SEPTA's procurement process. A Protestant must file a pre-
proposal protest no later than five (5) days prior to the due date of proposals by
4:30 p.m. Philadelphia prevailing time.
3.2 Pre-Award Protest is based upon alleged improprieties of a Proposal. A Protestant
must file a pre-award protest no later than five (5) days after the Protestant knows
or should have known of the facts giving rise thereto by 4:30 p.m. Philadelphia
prevailing time.
3.3 Post-Award Protest is based upon the award of a contract. A Protestant must file a
post-award protest no later than five (5) days after the notification to the
unsuccessful firms of SEPTA's intent to award, or no later than five (5) days after
an unsuccessful firm becomes aware of SEPTA's intent to award a contract,
whichever comes first, by 4:30 p.m. Philadelphia prevailing time.
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4.0 CONTENTS OF PROTEST
4.1 Protests must be in writing, and filed directly with SEPTA's Office of the
Assistant General Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain Management, at the
address indicated in the solicitation, and must contain the following information:
a. The name, address, and telephone number of the Protestant;
b. Identity of the RFP (by number and description); and
c. A detailed factual statement of the grounds for protest; and
d. The desired relief, action or ruling.
5.0 ACTION BY SEPTA
5.1 Procurement Process Status
Upon timely receipt of a protest, SEPTA will delay the evaluation process of the
proposals until after resolution of the protest for protests filed prior to the receipt
of proposals or withhold award until after resolution of the protest for protests filed
after an award recommendation is announced. However, SEPTA may receive or
evaluate proposals or award a contract whenever SEPTA, at its sole discretion,
determines that:
a. The items or work to be procured are urgently required; or
b. Delivery or performance will be unduly delayed by failure to make the award
promptly; or
c. Failure to make a prompt award will otherwise cause undue harm to SEPTA or
a funding source.
If the protest is filed before the award of the contract, SEPTA will advise the
Presumptive Contractor/Consultant of the pending protest.
5.2 If deemed appropriate, SEPTA may conduct an informal conference on the merits
of the protest with all Interested Parties invited to attend.
5.3 Response to the Protest
SEPTA's Assistant General Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain
Management will respond in detail to each substantive issue raised in the protest
within a reasonable time after the protest is filed. SEPTA's response shall address
only the issues raised originally by the Protestant within the filed protest.
When, on its face, a protest does not state a valid basis for protest or is untimely,
the Assistant General Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain Management may
summarily dismiss the protest without providing a detailed response.
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