Specifications include, but are not limited to: Chatham County is seeking a consulting firm with a strong background in community engagement, qualitative data analysis, and relevant experience in conducting studies pertaining to regional planning, multi-modal transportation, bicycle-pedestrian design and transit system equity to develop an alternative transportation demand study for the county. The term alternative transportation, for this RFP, will be used to refer to any form of transportation outside of single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs). Alternative transportation offers many social, environmental, and economic benefits for community goers compared to private SOV vehicles. Investments and/or policies in support of alternative transportation such as fixed bus routes incentives or building bicycle infrastructure can create job opportunities and promote a healthy lifestyle. Diversifying Chatham County’s transit portfolio will require the employment of more people in industries such as construction, commercial driving, transit operations, and other fields relevant to the daily functions of new transit options. Alongside newfound job opportunities are the environmental benefits of alternative transportation. Transportation accounts for approximately 35.9% of North Carolina’s greenhouse gas emissions as of 2018, according to NCDOT. As mentioned in Chatham County’s Comprehensive Plan, the county plans to produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions which can be achieved through walking, biking, and buses. Lastly, alternative transportation enhances community physical and mental health. Offering commuters the option to participate in alternative transportation modes rather than a SOV will decrease greenhouse gas emissions, create more opportunities for green spaces, and promote active lifestyles in the community. In Task I, the contractor will: 1) Conduct an introductory meeting (virtual) with project staff in the Chatham County Planning Department to kick off the project and discuss the project background, goals, scope of work,and timeline. 2) Review the list of organizations, departments, and community partners compiled by County staff for the ATD Stakeholder Group. The contractor will recommend any additionalmembers. 3) Draft a community engagement plan for collecting data on transportation needs anddemands that includes: a. A front-facing online hub where the public can access and navigate the ATDstudy details, findings, and submit commentary. b. A survey, with online and physical options for distribution. c. Canvassing at community events (i.e. farmers markets, Chatham Ag Fest, etc.); these engagements can be facilitated by County project staff. d. At least two community listening sessions. e. Targeted engagement for populations/communities experiencingtransportation disadvantages (i.e. zero car households, Limited English Proficiency, low-income neighborhoods, etc.) integrated/prioritized in all components. f. An overview of how the feedback received will be utilized to inform data analysisand project outcomes. 4) Send the draft community engagement plan to county project staff for initial reviewand feedback. The contractor will incorporate initial edits from staff. 5) Conduct an introductory meeting (virtual) with the ATD Stakeholder Group and present the scope of work, timeline, and community engagement plan. The contractor will solicitfeedback from the stakeholder group. In Task II, the contractor will: 1) Develop draft data collection materials to be used in the community engagement planfinalized in Task I, to include: a. Survey (virtual and physical format options). b. Handouts and posters for canvassing at community events. c. Guiding questions and informational materials to be used at listening sessions. d. Any additional materials needed for community engagement efforts. 2) Conduct a meeting (virtual) of the ATD Stakeholder Group to present draft datacollection materials and solicit feedback. 3) Incorporate feedback into final data collection materials.
