IFB 20-186 NM - DTD Freight Advisory Council (FAC) Work Plan Execution

Purpose and Introduction
The Division of Transportation Development of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) seeks contractor services to support and assist in implemention and execution of a 2020/2021 Freight Advisory Council Work Plan.
Background
CDOT has facilitated the creation of a Freight Advisory Council (FAC) in compliance with the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation System (FAST) Act and at the request of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). CDOT provides support to the FAC and dedicates time to the implementation of the FAC Work Plan.
The mission of the FAC is:
The Freight Advisory Council will serve as a forum for the private sector to advocate for commercial transportation needs, influence transportation policy, and collaborate with partners to develop a transportation system which supports the economic vitality of Colorado by providing for the safe, efficient, coordinated and reliable movement of freight.
              The FAC aims to:            

• Advise CDOT on freight-related issues, priorities, projects, and funding needs.
• Educate the public, decision-makers and other stakeholders on the importance of freight, its connection to the economy, and its reliance on the transportation system.
• Serve as a forum to discuss opportunities and strategies to influence freight-related transportation decisions.
• Seek opportunities for leveraging partnerships to improve freight movement.
• Collaborate with other agencies and organizations on data and information sharing to promote informed decision making.
• Identify short and long term initiatives that will benefit mobility for the freight industry and promote a healthy transportation system.
• Advise CDOT and other public organizations during transportation planning efforts.
   
  The FAC, has a current membership of 38 comprised of freight industry carriers, shippers, elected officials and other key freight stakeholders. The FAC convened in early 2016.
  The FAC is self-directed by freight industry representatives and provided planning and administrative support from CDOT, via the FAC Secretary and CDOT Office of Freight staff and has strong support of CDOT Executive Management.
  A change in CDOT’s Freight Program leadership in early 2019 resulted in a Lessons Learned exercise with the FAC to see what worked well and what didn’t work well, reassess the FAC activities and determine an approach to moving forward. One of the key results and a resounding consensus among FAC members was that the FAC initiatives and activities needed structure. This resulted in the development of a FAC Work Plan that was developed by CDOT in coordination and collaboration with the FAC. The Work Plan was approved by the FAC in August 2019. 
  CDOT recently completed an FHWA approved Colorado Freight Plan in March 2019 that outlined goals for freight at CDOT, and recommended actions and partnerships to promote freight in Colorado. The FAC Work Plan aligns with the goals and strategies outlined in the FHWA approved Colorado Freight Plan.
  Colorado Freight Plan goals include:

• Safety
• Mobility
• Economic Vitality
• Maintenance
• Sustainability
   
  These goals also align with the CDOT Whole System. Whole Safety. Initiative. This initiative heightens safety awareness by taking a systematic statewide approach to safety – combining the benefits of our programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment, and our operations. The goal: Improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes, and improving safety conditions for those traveling by all modes. The program has one simple mission – to get everyone home safely.
   
  The FAC participation has been impressive, and membership is growing. Below are examples of FAC achievements and initiatives:

• Advocating for creation of a CDOT Freight Office
• Roundabout Charrette
• Truck Parking Workshops (East and West)
• Truck Safety Campaign
• Approval of National Highway Freight Program (NHFP) projects strongly supported by and selected with guidance from the FAC, with a FAC member presenting the recommended projects to the Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC).
• FAC Letters of Support for Freight-related Grant Applications/Resolutions (INFRA, BUILD, FAST Lane, etc.)
• FAC themed meetings with Guest Speakers and Site Tours (CDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Golden)
• FAC recommendation to the state legislature regarding the SB 19-239 Emerging Mobility Impact Study
   
  CDOT seeks a Contractor who is familiar with the FAC members and is in tune with the diversity of the group and the issues that are relevant to the freight industry, understands FAC needs and intentions, has the various skills to support CDOT in implementing the FAC Work Plan, and who possesses a level of trust and can quickly build rapport with FAC members, other freight stakeholders and CDOT planning partners.