RFI #26-04061 - Bus Fareboxes

Utah Transit Authority (UTA)
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
RFI# 26-04061
Bus Fareboxes
All communication regarding this RFI must be made through the RFI Coordinator identified
below.
RFI Name: Curtis Haring
Coordinator
Title: Procurement and Contracts Specialist
Contact Information: curtis.haring@rideuta.com, 385-699-5752
Submitted All questions must be submitted via the Bonfire portal by:
Questions
Deadline Date: 5:00 p.m., MDT, Monday, September 21, 2026.
Response Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m., MDT, Monday, September 28, 2026.
Submission
Deadline Submit to: https://solutions.Bonfire.com/apps/Router/SupplierLogin?CustOrg=StateOfUtah
PART I INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose and Background
This Request for Information (RFI) is an information-gathering and market research tool, not a formal
solicitation of a specific requirement (such as in a "Request for Proposals" document). UTA is seeking
information regarding fareboxes for buses from interested parties as defined in this RFI document. This is
an opportunity for interested parties to assist UTA in better understanding the marketplace and/or specific
subject matter.
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to better understand the current marketplace, available
technologies, implementation approaches, integration capabilities, lifecycle support, and estimated costs
associated with replacing or upgrading UTA's existing bus fareboxes.
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UTA is seeking information on various technical approaches and is interested in receiving standard pricing
information and product specifications on available farebox solutions specifically designed for buses.
UTA welcomes responses describing a broad spectrum of products, including:
Traditional mechanical or cash-only fareboxes with minimal onboard technology.
Electronic fareboxes with cash validation and transaction reporting capabilities.
Receivers associated with collecting the cash from the farebox/cash box.
Accessibility to the cash box (key, badge, etc.)
Fareboxes integrated with vehicle systems, communications networks, automatic passenger counters
(APCs), CAD/AVL platforms, and back-office reporting systems.
Emerging technologies and innovative approaches that may improve operational efficiency, customer
experience, security, data collection, and lifecycle costs.
UTA is particularly interested in understanding available technologies, product maturity, deployment
considerations, maintenance requirements, expected service life, upgrade paths, interoperability with other
transit systems, and total cost considerations. Vendors are encouraged to provide information that will help
UTA evaluate the advantages, limitations, and appropriate use cases for their solutions.
B. Current Conditions
UTA currently operates an agency-wide electronic fare collection system that includes ticket vending
machines (TVMs), basic fareboxes, validators, a centralized back-office system, and mobile fare payment
capabilities. UTA is evaluating options to modernize bus farebox collection while maintaining or improving
compatibility with its existing fare collection infrastructure.
C. General Provisions
1. All contact with UTA regarding this RFI must be made through the designated RFI Coordinator. No
other person is authorized to make binding statements regarding this RFI.
2. This is a non-binding Request for Information. Therefore, no award shall be made as a result of the
RFI process.
3. Issuance of this RFI does not commit UTA to pay any expenses incurred by a Respondent in preparing
their response to this RFI. This includes attendance at personal interviews or other meetings and
software or system demonstrations, where applicable.
4. Issuance of this RFI in no way constitutes a commitment by UTA to issue a Request for Proposal
(RFP).
5. All responses should adhere to the instructions and format requests outlined in this RFI and all written
supplements and amendments, such as the Summary of Questions and Answers, issued by UTA.
6. All submissions in response to this RFI will be considered public records available for public
inspection pursuant to the State of Utah Records Access Management Act.
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PART II INFORMATION SOUGHT
UTA seeks information regarding bus farebox solutions and welcomes responses to this RFI, including
creative suggestions and feedback to enhance and expedite all future processes while providing efficient,
reliable, and high-quality outcomes. Respondents are not required to submit responses to every question, but
UTA encourages interested parties to respond to any or all relevant aspects of the RFI.
The UTA seeks detailed yet succinct responses that demonstrate the Respondent's experience and/or
familiarity with the subject matter. As this is not a competitive RFP process, Respondents should not provide
any detailed and specific cost or customized pricing documentation in their response. General cost estimates,
ballpark estimates, or standard pricing history are permitted. If you submit detailed pricing information
regarding your preferred product, method, or approach, you will disqualify UTA technical evaluators and
potentially contaminate any future procurement that were to be conducted.
A. General Information
Provide a brief overview of yourself and your organization, if applicable.
1. Please identify yourself and any organization you represent in this RFI.
a. Name of respondent
b. Organization and affiliation
c. Address (organizational, if responding on behalf of an entity)
d. Contact information (phone number(s) and email address)
2. Please identify your experiences in providing bus farebox solutions.
B. Feedback Requested
UTA requests that respondents provide information regarding:
1. General cost estimates for available farebox products. When submitting, please provide the
following for each product:
a. Unit name / product ID
b. Unit dimensions
c. Any specific or general hardware and/or software requirements to allow for product
functionality along with associated cost for these items.
2. If the product has integration capabilities with third-party fare collection and account-based
ticketing systems along with any potential anticipated costs for integration.
3. Estimated capital, licensing, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing operating costs for
each product.
4. Optional features and/or technologies that may benefit UTA along with the cost for these
features.
UTA welcomes alternative approaches and encourages respondents to identify capabilities,
technologies, or implementation strategies that may provide additional operational efficiencies,
improve the customer experience, reduce lifecycle costs, or enhance system integration beyond the
items specifically identified in this RFI.
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PART III KEY RFI EVENTS AND PROCESSES
A. Questions
1. General Instructions
a. It is the responsibility of each interested party to examine the entire RFI and to seek clarification in
writing if they do not understand any information or instructions.
b. Interested parties should submit questions via the Bonfire Q&A page.
c. Questions must be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the date and time specified on
the RFI cover page.
d. UTA assumes no liability for ensuring the accurate/complete/on time submission of questions.
2. Question & Answer Summary
Questions must be submitted via the Bonfire Q&A page before the end of the Question and Answer
period listed on the cover page. UTA's answers to timely submitted questions will be posted on the
Bonfire Q&A page.
It is the responsibility of all interested parties visit this website to obtain a copy of the Question &
Answer Summary.
B. Submitting the Response
1. Responses Due
Responses must be received no later than the date and time listed on the cover page.
2. Delivery Instructions
Responses must be uploaded to Bonfire by the "Bid ends" date and time listed on Bonfire.
To submit your Response, log onto Bonfire at:
https://utah.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities
If you have already registered, log in and search by Utah Transit Authority or the RFI number.
If you need to create an account, please select "Create Account," and then you can search UTA or the
RFI number listed on the Cover Page. If you need assistance, please email the Utah Supplier Portal
Support at https://vendorsupport.gobonfire.com/hc/en-us
3. Response Format
Responses to this RFI may be developed in a manner that suits the respondent. A list of key questions
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is included within the RFI, and all submissions, regardless of format, will be reviewed. Respondents
are asked to be brief and respond to as many questions as possible within the RFI. Number each
response to correspond to the relevant question or instruction in the RFI to allow for comparison and
clarity.
PART IV REVIEW OF RESPONSES RECEIVED
General Information
1. UTA will review responses received for the purpose of gathering information and conducting market
research only. UTA will not score or rate responses received.
2. UTA reserves the right to communicate and/or schedule interviews/presentations with Respondents, if
needed, to obtain clarification of information contained in the responses received and/or additional
information to enhance marketing research efforts.
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APPENDIX A
UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
RESPONSE COVER PAGE
RFI# 26-04061
Bus Fareboxes
Lead Point of Contact - Name/Title:
Organization Name (if applicable):
Tel: Cell:
E-Mail: Website:
Street Address: City/State/Zip:
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