CARTA Regional Toll Equity Study

Background
The Capital Area Regional Tolling Authority (CARTA) is seeking qualified consultants to develop a Regional Toll Equity Study. This study aims to evaluate the impact of tolling on the Capital Region, specifically focusing on how tolling can be implemented to better serve low-income residents and other impacted communities. The study will leverage geospatial analysis, focus groups, and community feedback.

The central deliverable is an 'Equity Framework' that outlines actions CARTA and its partners can take to enhance tolling equity. The study is funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant and must be completed before the Yolo 80 Express Lanes begin revenue service in summer 2028.

Work Details
The consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. **Community Engagement, Partner Coordination, and Public Education**: Manage quarterly project development team meetings, present findings to CARTA's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and board, review existing community engagement efforts, develop an engagement plan for the Regional Toll Equity Study, and implement community engagement activities.

2. **Precedent Review and Equity Priority Communities Definition**: Conduct a review of other toll equity programs in California and define Equity Priority Communities based on various metrics such as income and accessibility.

3. **Equity Priority Traveler Analysis**: Develop corridor profiles for future toll corridors, host focus groups with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and residents to gather insights on customer needs, and synthesize findings into a comprehensive report.

4. **Regional Toll Equity Framework and Implementation Strategy**: Create a draft framework with recommended measures for equity categorized by implementation timelines, finalize the framework based on feedback, and develop an implementation strategy focusing on near-term actions.

5. **Draft and Final Regional Toll Equity Study**: Combine all previous reports into a comprehensive study for review by CARTA's board.

Period of Performance
The contract will commence upon award in May 2026 and is expected to conclude with the final Regional Toll Equity Study by September 2027.

Place of Performance
The work will primarily take place in the Capital Region of California, particularly involving stakeholders from Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), Yolo Transportation District (YoloTD), Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA), El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC), and other local agencies.

Bidder Requirements
Consultants must demonstrate experience in equity planning or toll planning work. Proposals should include qualifications of key personnel, organizational charts, staffing resources matrix, project staff resumes, professional references for similar projects, and compliance with various certifications including debarment certification.