HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - 7284 TRAINING & PROCUREMENT REVIEW FOR FTA FUNDED PROJECTSPage 1 of 2
Jim O'Neill
From: Michele Butchko [mxb@ieitransit.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 3:22 PM
To: Jim O'Neill
Subject: Submittal: Proposal 7284 - Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
Attachments: 1. IEI_Proposal_7284.pdf; 2. IEI_ Appendix_A_Resumes.pdf; 3.
I E I_Append ix_B_Certifications. pdf
Dear Mr. O'Neill:
On behalf of Interactive Elements Incorporated, I am pleased to submit our attached response to the City
of Fort Collins' RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review of FTA Funded Projects
The three pdf files are labeled:
. IEI_Proposal_7284
. IEI_Appendix_A_Resumes
. IEI Appendix_B_Certifications
The IEI Proposal file includes a Cover Letter, Cover Page, Table of Contents, a 28-page Technical
Proposal and a 1-page Cost Proposal.
The IEI Appendix A Resumes file includes a Cover Page and eight Resumes.
The IEI Appendix B Certifications file includes a Cover Page and two Certifications.
Based upon our review of the RFP, we are submitting a firm fixed price for the entire scope of work for
the Procurement Process Review and Training, and a Time & Materials rate for the On -going
Consultative Services portion of the project. We feel this is the most cost-effective and efficient way to
complete these tasks.
IEI is very interested in conducting this work for the City of Fort Collins and we look forward to hearing
from you.
Should you be unable to open or print any of these items, or should you need further clarification of the
contents of our Technical or Cost Proposals, please contact me by phone or e-mail.
It would be greatly appreciated if you would confirm receipt of this e-mail submittal.
Sincerely,
Michele Butchko
Michele Butchko AICP
Director Planning and Development
Interactive Elements Incorporated
(an 8(a) Graduate / DBE / WBE/SBE company)
60 East 42nd Street, Room 2035
New York, NY " 10165
10/05/2011
FTA-RELATED WORK PROJECTS and PRODUCTS
IEI has undertaken a number of assignments directly related to the scope of work outlined in the
solicitation. Our successful performance during these assignments is a strong indicator that the
Project Team has the skills, expertise, motivation, and experience to perform successfully under
this contract. Indeed, many of the tools we developed for the prior projects can be modified for
use in aspects of the current work. A sample of recent relevant work by our firm including FTA
Triennial Reviews, FTA ARRA Statistical Reviews, FTA Project Management Oversight, and
other FTA Special Reviews are listed below. Contact information for recommendations follows
this section.
Transit Agency Compliance. Reviews
FTA Triennial Reviews - Triennial Reviews require detailed knowledge of 24 regulatory and
programmatic areas, including safety, security, technical capacity, maintenance, finance,
procurement, and ARRA compliance, familiarity with federal guidance, and an understanding of
how the regulations relate to'the specific operating environment of each grantee.
IEI has been performing Triennial Reviews as a subcontractor since 1994 and as a prime
contractor since 2000. In keeping with the intent to expand the reach of technical assistance
and website tools to include materials for larger bus systems, it is relevant that of the 62
properties with 250 or more buses in their fleets, IEI has reviewed 37'(or 60%), some several
times. In addition, we have performed PMO work at 16 of the 62 properties and SSO work at 5
of them. Members of the IEI Team who have conducted many of these reviews include:
Michele Butchko, Walter Carter, Susan Gilbert, Laurie Heinze, Maxine Finkelstein, David Frye,
and Kaye Luongo. Together, they have conducted hundreds of Triennial, PMO, and SSO
reviews for FTA bus systems in all ten regions.
In addition to conducting the onsite reviews, IEI staff, primarily Ms. Heinze, have been and
continue to be responsible for organizing and leading Regional Review Workshops that provide
training for operations personnel to assist them in preparation for reviews and in understanding
the federal regulations they must comply with to meet review standards.
Procurement Assistance for FTA Grantees
IEI is currently providing procurement assistance to two grantees, San Joaquin Regional Rail
Commission in Stockton, California and the Buckhead Area Transit System in Atlanta. As the
.project manager for both of these grantee programs, Ms. Heinze has:
• developed procurement procedures in accordance with Federal requirements for new
transit agency in the Atlanta metropolitan area
• developed guidelines for the development of various procurement processes
• assisted in developing various types of procurements (IFP, RFP, FRQ)
• assisted in evaluating proposal submittals
• provided on -call services for compliance with FTA's 5307 Formula Grant Program
requirements
• . reviewed all the elements of all the procurements before the agencies issue them
• developed procedures for managing change orders
Response to RFP 7284,Training.8 Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 I INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
• reviewed procurement documents prior to advertising to ensure compliance with
Federal requirements
• assisted agency with complying with real estate acquisition requirements
• provided on -call services for compliance with FTA's 5307 Formula Grant Program
requirements
• conducted pre -Triennial Review assessments to determine level of compliance
Statistical Trackinq Methodology for FTA ARRA Grants
Consolidated Tracking and Analysis Tool - As part of its responsibilities under a five-year, $6
million contract to perform FTA Triennial Reviews, IEI was asked to undertake a special
assignment to assemble statistics on FTA oversight of some $9 billion in ARRA grants. At the
conclusion of the project, the review included 643 grantees that, together, received a total of
886 grants:
IEI's review included six distinct FTA oversight programs and three years of oversight. The
resulting tracking tool allowed the FTA to assess the completeness and effectiveness of its
oversight planning and execution.
FTA Document Review and Revisions
FTA Circular C 6800.1 and Oversight Procedure (OP) 22 - IEI worked with FTA staff
members to write Circular 5800.1, dated August 1, 2007, and then with the FTA Office of
Engineering to create Oversight Procedure 22 (SSMP Oversight Procedure for PMOCs), issued
in 2008. The Circular provides guidance for recipients of major'capital project funding under 49
CFR 633, which documents safety and security activities a recipient'must perform and
mandates creation of a Safety and Security Management Plan (SSMP). OP 22 was created by
the FTA to provide PMOCs with procedures for reviewing and evaluating SSMPs submitted by
recipients as part of Project Management Plans (PMPs) for New Starts projects. The FTA has
ruled that an SSMP is part of a recipient's PMP and must, therefore, be updated along with the
PMP at -all critical stages of a project's development. In conjunction with this work, IEI staff, on
behalf of FTA, consulted frequently with PMOCs to ensure the document's clarity and
applicability to the oversight review process: The Circular and the OP together are the
governing documents for the creation of an SSMP by all recipient agencies and for review of
these documents by all PMOCs.
FTA Project and,Construction Management Guidelines - IEI worked as a subconsultant to
Jacobs Engineering on the 2009-2010 revision of the 2003 update to this document. The
primary task involved rewriting and editing the guidelines, particularly taking into account
requirements under the SSMP for enhanced safety and security during the construction phase
of a New Starts project.
Project Management Oversight (PMO) Program (sample)
Maryland Transit Administration New Starts - Under its 5-year contract with the Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) for Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) services,
Interactive Elements, Inc. (IEI) is performing oversight of 22 projects within Maryland Transit
Administration's capital program. IEI's role includes review of budgets, schedules, and an
assessment of the MTA's technical capacity and capability to deliver the project on schedule
Response to RFP.7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
and within budget. IEI also prepared a risk assessment of the proposed 14.5-mile light rail
transit system in Baltimore prior to the project entering the preliminary engineering phase of
project development. Deliverables include monthly reports, notes for all meetings we attend,
and technical reports as requested by the FTA. Technical reports include assessments of the
MTA's Project Management Plans, Safety and Security Man agement'Plans, Fleet Management
Plans, and Real Estate Management Plans. IEI also assessed the MTA's readiness to enter the
preliminary engineering phase of project development for the National Capital Purple Line and
the Red Line.
New Jersey Transit (NJT) Capital,.Projects - As the senior member of a Mentor -Protege Joint
Venture with Delon Hampton and Associates, IEI provided engineering oversight for one of the
nation's largest rail capital programs (including a new $9 billion rail tunnel under the Hudson
River). Oversight included assessment of such factors as the grantee's ability to manage the
work; the soundness of schedule and budget, including provisions for inflation, and the , ,
suitability of the project's scope to accomplish project goals. Part of the work included delivery
of a safety and security workshop for NJT, Port Authority•of,New York and New Jersey staff,
and project consultants, and workshops in FTA's risk assessment process and requirements.
Honolulu High -Capacity Transit Corridor Project - Working as part of the Jacobs -led PMO
team, IEI is currently reviewing safety and security documents for,this project, A number of
unique issues are being addressed for this project; the SOA was only recently selected and due
to this being the first rail project in the state of Hawaii the staff willsequire guidance on FTA
requirements. In addition, as currently designed, portions. of. construction have begun prior to
issuance of the full funding grant agreement. Present design envisions a fully automated,
aboveground system unlike any existing U.S. transit system, requiring close coordination of the
PMO team with the City and_County of Honolulu, the system's staff and its consultants.
Other Special Assignments
IEI has accepted and performed numerous special assignments for the FTA. These include the
preparation of a 2006 hurricane evacuation plan for Gulf Coast cities — this plan was prepared
and delivered on four days notice. The plan was the basis for preparations recently
implemented in response to the threat from Hurricane Irene in New York.
Summary ,
During IEI's 20 years of work with the FTA, the firm has demonstrated the ability to mobilize and
deploy, on very short notice, the resources necessary_to meet special FTA objectives. It has a
breadth of technical expertise to facilitate such action.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVEELEMENTS INCORPORATED
PAST PERFORMANCE - PROJECT REFERENCES
The IEI Team is made up of individuals who have long and distinguished records of
accomplishment in federal procurements and public mass transit. In response to the RFP, we
have selected three reference projects for IEI. All three are currently being performed or have
recently been performed for the FTA:
These examples were selected because of their close relevance to the Scope of Work. They
clearly demonstrate the Team's ability to provide excellence in the performance of the items that
make up this assignment. The Team has considerable additional breadth and depth that can be
assigned to this work as may be required and authorized.
Project 1: FTA Triennial Reviews, FY 2007-2012
Khuong Luu
Chief, Oversight Programs
Federal Transit Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington; DC 20590
(202) 366-1656
khuong.luu(a)dot.gov
Project 2: Statistical Tracking Methodology for FTA ARRA Grants
Amy Jernigan
USDOT/FTA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-6475
amV. iernigana_dot.gov
Project 3: FTA Project Management Oversight FY 2009-2014
Steve Assatoorian
USDOT/FTA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-1649
se pooh. a ssatoodan (Wd ot. n ov
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
Proiect 1: FTA Triennial Reviews. FY 2007-20012
Contracting Agency: Federal Transit Administration
Contract Identification: DTFT60-07-D-00012
Total Contract Value: N7'E $167,000
Period of Performance: 2007-2611
Description of Work Performed
In the four years of its third, five-year cycle as prime contractor conducting Triennial Reviews
and Triennial Review -related tasks, Interactive Elements performed approximately 250 triennial
reviews and provided instructors and logistics for more than 75 workshops and oversight
meetings. The scope of work performed in this period closely parallels that of the present RFP.
The triennial reviews required detailed knowledge of 24 regulatory areas, deep familiarity with
federal guidance, and an understanding of how the regulations relate to the specific operating
environment of each grantee. IEI also demonstrates its expertise by providing technical
assistance to grantees as was requested and authorized.
Instruction at workshops demonstrate the Team's ability to clearly communicate the technical
components of the 24 regulatory areas, while logistic support requires the ability to order and
manage the delivery of hospitality and conference services in Washington, DC, and each of the
FTA regions across the country. The utilization of a travel professional to manage meeting
logistics provides extra value to attendees and the government through better negotiation of
amenities and prices, and on -site monitoring of hotel performance.
Tasks performed for Project 1 include:
• Conducting Triennial Reviews
• Conducting Triennial Review Regional Workshops
• Instructing at Triennial Review Workshops
• Updating and distributing Contractor's Guide
• Logistics for Annual Oversight Meeting
• Developing Tool Kit
Government's COTR/Contact Information
Khuong Luu
Chief, Oversight Programs
Federal Transit Administration
.1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E.
4th Floor East Building
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-1656
khuong.luua_dot.gov
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
Other Recommendations
Matt Kearny
Cindy Terwilliger
Debi Duggan
Ed Carranza
Linda Gehrke
Region 1
617-494-2055
Region VII
816-329-3920
Region VIII
720-963-3314
Region IX
415-744-3133
Region X
206-220-7954
Proiect 2: Statistical Tracking Methodology for FTA, ARRA Grants
Contracting Agency: Federal Transit Administration
Contract Identification: DTFT - 60-07-D-00012
Total Contract Value: $197,000
Period of Performance: 2011
Description of Work Performed
As part of its responsibilities under a five-year $6 million contract to perform FTA Triennial
Reviews, IEI was asked to undertake a special assignment to assemble statistics on FTA
.oversight of some $9 billion in ARRA grants. In the end, the review included some 643 grantees
that together, received a total of 886 grants.
Our review included six distinct FTA oversight programs and three years of oversight. The
resulting tracking tool allowed the FTA to assess the completeness and effectiveness of its
oversight planning and execution.
Government's COTR/Contact Information
Amy Jernigan
LISDOT/FTA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590 .
(202)366-6475
amy.iernigan(Mot.gov
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 10
Proiect 3: FTA Proiect Management Oversight FY 2009-2014
Contracting Agency: Federal Transit Administration
Contract Identification: DTFT60-09-D-00020
Total Contract Value: $26,181,670,000
Period of Performance: 2009-2011
Description of Work Performed
Under its 5-year contract with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Project Management
Oversight Contractor (PMOC) services, Interactive Elements, Inc. (IEI) is performing oversight
of 22 projects within Maryland Transit Administration's capital program. The range of projects
include an approximate $2.4 billion proposed 16-mile light rail transit system in Montgomery
County, MD, (National Capital Purple Line), an approximate $2.2 billion proposed 14.5-mile light
rail transit system in Baltimore, MD, (Red Line), three rolling stock rehabilitation projects, a
diesel locomotive procurement project, a rolling stock coach procurement project, and fifteen
infrastructure renewal projects. The fifteen infrastructure renewal projects include a rolling stock
storage yard, an intermodal transit center and facility, and station and tunnel infrastructure
rehabilitation projects with varied scope. IEI's role includes review of budgets, schedules, and
an assessment of the MIA's technical capacity and capability to deliver the project on schedule
and within budget. IEI also prepared a risk assessment of the proposed 14.5-mile light rail
transit system in Baltimore prior to the project entering the preliminary engineering phase of
project development. Deliverables include monthly reports, notes for all meetings we attend,
and technical reports as requested by the FTA. Technical reports include assessments of the
MTA's Project Management Plans, Safety and Security Management Plans, Fleet Management
Plans, and Real Estate Management Plans. IEI also assessed the'MTA's readiness to enter the
preliminary engineering phase of project development for the National Capital Purple. Line and
the Red Line.
Government's COTR/Contact Information
Steve Assatoorian
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative
USDOT/FTA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-1649
sepooh.assatoorian(a_dot.gov
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 11
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
This section presents three aspects of IEl's abilities in the performance of the Training &
Procurement Review scope of work:
• IEI's understanding of the key technical issues that will be addressed during this
assignment and the obstacles to success that will need to be overcome
• The IEI Team's resources for successfully completing the full scope of work
• The Team's technical expertise in procurements, FTA oversight programs, and transit
agency operations
Technical Understanding
In fiscal year 2010 Congress appropriated more than $9 billion to the Federal Transit
Administration to help support public transportation through grant programs to designated grant
recipients, including states, cities, towns, regional authorities, and transit authorities. Public
transportation also receives funding from many non-federal sources including state and local
grants, gas taxes, other locally dedicated funds, local bonds, and public -private partnerships.
Each of these funding sources may come with locally developed laws and provisions to govern
grantees' procurement of goods and services for public transportation.
FTA requirements provide for grantees to use their own procurement procedures that reflect
state and local regulations, provided that their process ensures competitive procurements and
that the procedures conform to applicable federal statutory and administrative requirements
(including 49 CFR Part 18.36 and FTA Circular 4220.1 F, "Third Party Contracting
Requirements").
In brief, FTA grantees are responsible for carrying out their program of projects in accordance
with all applicable federal requirements and the FTA is responsible for oversight to'ensure that
grantees meet those requirements through their planning, construction, operation, and
maintenance of public transportation systems. These activities involve procuring goods and
services.
Compliance with FTA Procurement requirements is critical to achieving the'Administration's
oversight goals to safeguard the federal investment'in the nation's public transportation
systems, since it is directly focused on the process through which goods and services are
selected, purchased, or leased. Thus, the Program's elements address such factors as
competition, quality, fairness, regulatory compliance, and conformance with best practices.
Having completed 10 Triennial Review Workshops and 42 Triennial Reviews in FY 11 where
procurement deficiencies continue to rank first or second of the 24 elements with the most
deficiencies, Interactive Elements is well versed in both the deficiencies and mitigations of
procurement problems in transit agencies across the country.
Having reviewed the results of City of Fort Collins' 2009 Triennial Review, the 2010
Procurement System Review, and the 2011 Procurement System Review Follow-up Review, IEI
has a good understanding of the City's transit -related Procurement history and of its current
Procurement concerns. IEI also has the technical expertise, training skills, and proven
strategies for addressing these concerns and mitigating deficiencies in the future.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 12
The IEI Team has strong experience in transit procurement, from the earliest stages of capital
program planning, to engineering and construction, to procurement of equipment and materiel.
Because its members have worked in procurement, operating, and capital departments of major
transit agencies, they have played significant roles in major vehicle procurements, infrastructure
improvements, and planning and implementation of new or improved services.
Such experience provides special perspectives about the impact of procurement policies on the
grantee's mission. It is supplemented, on the Team, by individuals who have worked in
procurement management and, as outlined below, staff who have special familiarity with every
aspect of FTA Oversight. This Technical Expertise has substantial advantages for the
performance of procurement process evaluation and training:
• It assures that the Review Team has encountered and worked under all or almost all of
the regulations and guidelines under review
It enables the Review Team to understand the regulations in the, context of the day-to-
day demands of providing revenue service and it enables members of the Team to relate
the intent of,the regulations to their impact
It helps create close rapport between Reviewers and grantee personnel
• It assures the greatest possible understanding of the relevance of particular best
practices in a given situation and it provides opportunities for the Reviewer's own transit
experiences to supplement the published best practices
Process Expertise
The proposed IEI Team has significant advantages in its familiarity with FTA audits, reviews,
and investigations. Members of the Team have participated in both sides of the review and
oversight process, as senior staff at grantee agencies and as FTA review consultants.
Together, the members of the Team have performed hundreds of FTA-sponsored oversight
assignments. These include Triennials Reviews, Project Management Oversight, Section 22
and Section 107 investigations, and several special investigations. The Team has performed
similar services for other agencies and directly for grantees, including state safety and security
oversight audits and agency performance reviews. Team members have assisted in formulating
procurement and procurement review policy at the FTA and managed and monitored their
implementation.
This breadth of experience with FTA policies, programs, and practices enables the Team to hit
the ground running and achieve the objectives of the City of Fort Collins in the most cost
effective manner, with deliverables of the highest quality. Should logistics expertise be required
if the City does not have space for training, we work with a travel professional who can provide
this service.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 13
TECHNICAL APPROACH
The following addresses IEI's suggested activities for evaluation, training, and on -going
consultative services for the City of Fort Collins. IEI has divided the program into phases, using
the three project elements discussed in the RFP:
Phase 1 - Evaluate the current City procurement processes and documentation„
organizational structure and accountabilities alignment, and recommend
corrective actions to improve compliance reliability
Phase 2 - Train City personnel in all aspects of FTA regulations and compliance
requirements to ensure that it is complying with all Federal regulations
Phase 3 - Provide expert consultative support on an as -needed basis related to future
Federal procurement programs.
Phase 1: Procurement Review and Evaluation
FTA grantees use their own procurement procedures that reflect applicable state and local laws
and regulations, provided that the process ensures competitive procurement and the
procedures conform to applicable Federal law, including 49 CFR Part 18 (specifically Section
18.36) and FTA Circular 4220.1 F, "Third Party Contracting Guidance"
As stated in the RFP, to ensure that all procurement activities across the City. organization
associated with FTA funded projects are in full compliance with all FTA regulations, a full
evaluation of current City procurement processes, organizational structure, and accountabilities
alignment is required, building on the results of the.recent Triennial and Procurement System's
reviews.
Because of IEI's hands-on experience in procurement at transit agencies, we are especially
qualified to provide a thorough evaluation of the City's procurement processes. At the
conclusion of the evaluation, we will deliver a Final Report and a roadmap for training and
training materials we would recommend based on the results of the evaluation.. .
Task 1 - Assessment
Pre -Site Visit Review
The Evaluation of the City of Fort Collins' Procurement program and the first step of the
Procurement Process Review will begin with a thorough assessment of the City's systems.
Prior to a formal site. visit and after an entrance teleconference and additional discussions, IEI
will attempt to obtain and review all available written material, including those documents
available with the RFP such as the prior Procurement System Reviews and prior Triennial
Reviews. Other documentation might include the City's Capital Plan to familiarize us with
projected procurements, other audits and reports that may have been prepared;
correspondence files regarding procurement; and other supporting materials. TEAM will be
accessed to review the number, type, and size of grants; types of projects; vehicle purchases;
facility construction; the application of funds to safety and security; and the plethora of other
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 14
Page 2 of 2
212.490.9090 Phone
212.490.9611 Fax
201.725.1875 Mobile
www.ieitransit.com
Reply to: mxb ieitransit.com
10/05/2011
support services. For efficiency, as many documents as possible will be obtained from TEAM
and other electronic sources. This step will further familiarize IEI with the historical record of
performance on both procurement and other issues.
Much of the conduct of the Assessment Phase will be governed by checklists and interview
questions provided in the Triennial Review Program Guide and the Guide for Procurement
System Reviews, all based upon FTA Circular 4220.1 F, but considerable knowledge, skill, and
sensitivity are required to complete a thorough and accurate Assessment.
The reviewers will consult with staff to further familiarize themselves with special issues that
may be Citywide or related to specific procurements. Individual procurements, especially those
conducted since the last Procurement System Review, may also be identified for inclusion in the
Assessment Phase..
Site Visit Evaluation
With the information accumulated from the review of prior documents, the IEI Reviewers will
continue the Assessment Phase with a Site Visit to the grantee. This visit will permit IEI to
acquire the remaining information required to determine the. breadth of,a subsequent training
program. The Site Visit will include interviews with management and management staff,
inspections of grantee documents unavailable prior to the site visit, and, if appropriate,
inspections of facilities and equipment:
The Site Visit will also begin with an Entrance Conference where the purpose and underlying.
authority for the review is presented to the City, the review process and schedule of activities is
discussed, and attendance is taken.
The Assessment Phase continues with a System -wide Requirements Review, wherein IEI
addresses those aspects of the City's Procurement System that have the potential to affect all
procurements. It includes an overall review of the organization of the City and the adequacy of
the policies and procedures to meet the federal procurement requirements. This organizational
structure may lead to a failure to meet basic procurement standards resulting in a lack of
competition; contract administration, duplicative or unnecessary purchases; or no cost or price
analysis. The System -wide Review Checklist that results from this step will help to identify
elements for further review during the Contract Review Phase, including any potential
organizational conflicts of interest.
Task 2: Contract Review
Without duplicating the 2010 and 2011 Procurement System Reviews, the Contract Review
Phase of the evaluation will consist of a detailed review of a sample of procurements,
supplemented, where necessary, with a small number of individually selected procurements of
special impact. The size and composition of the sample will be governed by the. results of the
Assessment Phase. The sample will be taken from a City -prepared comprehensive list of
federally supported procurements that has been divided into: micro -purchases, small
purchases, RF.Ps, IFBs, and sole source procurements. Other categories are also itemized.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 15
Task 3: Reaortin
Draft Report
A Draft Report containing a preliminary organizational assessment; process mapping, roles and
responsibility alignment; and a review of the City's' procurement process, manuals, and methods
of ensuring FTA compliance will be issued at'the conclusion of the Site Visit. The framework for
this report will be developed prior to the site visit, so a draft report can be issued quickly, similar
to the process used during Triennial reviews.
At the time the draft report is issued, IEI will also recommend corrective actions to improve
compliance reliability, and determine the shape and scope of the recommended training
program.
Final Report
A final report containing the summary organizational assessment; process mapping, roles and
responsibility alignment; and other items relevant to the City's procurement processes will be
issued within two weeks of the draft report. The final report will reflect comments from the City
regarding the contents of the draft report.
Deliverables
In addition to the final report summarizing the results of the Procurement Process Review, IEI
will submit a "roadmap" of suggestions for the Training component of this project.
Phase 2— Training .
Differing from the schedule of evaluation and training contained in the RFP, IEI highly
recommends that all Phase 2 Training activities commence after the Phase 1 Evaluation phase
and not before or during, and that IEI conduct both phases. This sequence of activities will
ensure the best use of our time and the City's dollars as the training classes can be tailored to
best reflect the City's needs.. Having one contractor provide both the evaluation and the training
phases will ensure continuity of services, eliminate a potentially long learning curve, and be
more cost-efficient.
IEI recommends that the Evaluation and Training components of the Training & Procurement
Review be conducted by one entity to ensure consistency and lessen duplication of activities.
As can be seen in the estimated time requirements for Phase 1 — Evaluation, IEI does not
foresee a problern in completing Phase 1 or Phase 2 in a timely manner. While the RFP
indicates that the City might like to make several awards, our experience suggests that this
would not adequately meet the City's needs.
That being said, for the purpose of this proposal, IEI will emphasize the training content of
modules pertaining to the areas the City of Fort Collins has indicated as a primary focus:
• Independent Cost Estimate (ICE)
• Cost Analysis
• Sole Source Justification
• Davis -Bacon Wage Requirements
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 16
General
IEI's training will emphasize the "best practices" for FTA-related contract procurements and the
FTA's Best Practices Procurement Manual and Circular 4220.1 F will be referenced throughout
the workshops. Both the short and the long workshops will focus on good procurement busi-
ness practices and policies from a broader industry perspective. We will introduce.minimum
standards for agency practices as described in FTA Circular 4220.1 F and the Master Agree-
ment and will provides participants with a framework for examining basic issues pertaining to
third -party contracting. We will discuss the roles and responsibilities of contracting parties and
will address all the problem areas that may emerge during the evaluation process in addition to
the four already identified areas. Each workshop will begin with an overview of all FTA Pro-
curement -related elements including:
• FTA's Role in the Procurement Process
• Procurement "Best Practices"
• Organization of the Procurement Function
• Functions and Principles of Procurement
• Acquisition Planning
• Writing Specifications and Statements of Work
• General Contract Provisions
• Procurement Integrity
• Debriefing and Protests
All training will be hands-on and pro -active: A PowerPoint presentation will be used as
background and reference for each of the modules, but most of the training will be interactive
between trainer and trainees. Workshops will be developed utilizing exercises, case studies,
and other interactive training activities.
To develop written materials used for pre -testing, training, and post -testing, IEI will choose real
life examples of procurement issues, preferably,culled from the files of the City of Fort Collins
during Phase 1 — Evaluation, and assembled into a type of Case Study that best reflects the
City's concerns. Through a combination of lecture, quizzes, group discussion, and group
projects, IEI will develop tailored training modules that draw from adult learning concepts. Each
module will have a scope and goals and objectives that are to be satisfied by the training
process.
IEI would also suggest a follow-up survey/quiz in three -to -four months post -training to ensure
retention of the major constructs and to receive feedback of real life procurement examples.
The following offers more detail regarding the scope, background, training content, and FTA
references for the four areas of procurement identified by the City of Fort Collins in its RFP.
Independent Cost Estimate (ICE)
Scope: Using examples from the City's procurement files, the ICE training module will provide
the City of Fort Collins with the tools to develop independent cost estimates for all
procurements, regardless of size; understand the reasons for developing independent cost
estimates, and, understand the relationship of an ICE to FTA compliance.
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Background: The independent cost estimate is a tool to assist in the determination of the
reasonableness or unreasonableness of the bid or proposal being evaluated and is required for
all procurements regardless of dollar amount. Independent cost estimates can range from a
simple budgetary estimate to a complex estimate based on inspection of the product itself and
review of items like drawings, specifications, and prior data.
The independent cost estimate is especially critical whenever there is no price competition (e.g.,
for architect -engineer procurements where only one price proposal is received), or where
offerors are submitting price proposals for goods or services that are not exactly comparable
(e.g., for procurements of high-technology items or professional services). It is also useful in
competitive procurements to alert the agency when all competitors are submitting unreasonably
high or low cost proposals.
Training Content
The training will use a combination of lecture, power -point presentation, pre=and-post tests, and
group decision -making to determine:
• Requirements for an ICE (CFR and FTA Circular references)
• Rationale for an ICE
• Examples of ICE
• Determination of reasonable or unreasonable
• Methods of developing an ICE
• Inclusion of ICE in a record of procurement history
References
49 CFR 18.36 (f) (1)
FTA C 4220.1 F, Ch. VI, Section 6
Cost Analysis
Scope: Using examples from the City's procurement files, the Cost Analysis training module will
provide the City of Fort Collins with the tools to. develop a cost analysis; determine the
difference between a cost analysis, price analysis, and independent cost estimate for all
procurements, regardless of size; understand the reasons for developing cost analyses; and,
understanding the relationship of a cost analysis to FTA compliance.
Background: Grantees must perform a cost or price analysis in connection with.every
procurement action, including contract modifications. The method and degree of analysis is
dependent on the facts surrounding the particular procurement situation, but as a starting point,
grantees must make independent estimates before receiving bids or proposals. The methods of
analysis includes cost analysis and price analysis.
Cost analysis must be performed for procurements requiring the offeror to submit estimates for
labor hours, overhead, and materials; procurements where adequate price competition is
lacking; and sole source procurements unless price reasonableness can be -established based
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 18
on market prices. Price analysis (i.e., catalog or market prices) may be performed for all other
procurements.
Reference
49 CFR 18.36 (f) (1)
FTA C 4220.1 F, Ch. VI, Section 6
Training Content
The training will use a combination of lecture, power -point presentation, pre -and -post tests, and
group decision -making to cover topics, such as:
• Composition of a cost analysis
• Effect of price or cost analysis on types of contracts
• Rationale for a cost analysis
• Determination of fair and reasonable price
• Examples of cost analyses
• Contract modifications
•. Methods of conducting cost comparison
• Role risk plays in pricing '
• Effect of contract type on allocation of risk
• Inclusion of a cost analysis in a record of procurement history
Sole Source Justification
Scope: Using examples from the City's procurement files, the Sole Source Justification training
module will provide the City of Fort Collins with the tools to develop a compliant sole source
justification; determine the difference between a sole source, single bid, and brand name or
equal procurement; understand the reasons for developing a sole source justification; and,
understanding the requirements for FTA compliance.
Background: FTA requires full and open competition in procurements for goods and services
and encourages grantees to award contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
However, sole source, single bid, and brand name or equal awards can be used. In such
situations, the grantee should have appropriate documentation for the award.
When the grantee requires supplies or services available from only one responsible source, and
no other supplies or services will satisfy its requirements, the grantee may make a sole source
award. When the grantee requires an existing contractor to make a change to its contract that is
beyond the scope of that contract, the grantee has made a sole source award that must be
justified. The -property or services are available from one source if one of the conditions
described below is present:
Unique or Innovative Concept. Unique or innovative concept means a new, nbvel, or
changed concept, approach, or method that is the product of original thinking, the
details of which are kept confidential or are patented or copyrighted; and is available
to the grantee only from one source and has not in the past been available to -the
grantee from another source.
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• Patents or Restricted Data Rights. Patent or data rights restrictions preclude
competition.
• Substantial Duplication Costs: In the case of a follow-on contract for the continued
development or production of highly specialized equipment and major components
thereof, when it is likely that award to another contractor would result in substantial
duplication of costs that are not expected to be recovered through competition.
• Unacceptable Delay. In the case of a follow-on contract for the continued
development or production of highly specialized equipment and major components
thereof, when it is likely that award to another contractor would result in
unacceptable delays in fulfilling the grantee's needs.
In the case of a sole source award, the documentation should be a written sole source
justification, which includes a cost analysis.
With a single bid, the documentation should include a cost analysis, as well as an explanation
as to why a single bid was obtained. Upon receiving a single bid or proposal in response to a
solicitation, the grantee should determine if competition was adequate. This should include a
review of the specifications for undue restrictiveness and might include a survey of potential
sources that chose not to submit a bid or proposal.
When it is impractical or uneconomical to provide a clear and accurate description of the
technical requirements of the property to be acquired, a "brand name or equal" description may
be used to define the performance or other salient characteristics of a specific type of property.
The grantee must identify the'salient characteristics of the named brand that offerors must
provide. When using a "brand name" specification, the grantee does not need to reverse -
engineer a complicated part to identify precise measurements or specifications in order to
describe its salient characteristics.
A recurring problem has been the procurement of professional services. Often these services
are procured with little or no competition. While such services can beprocured on a sole source
basis if justified, in general, a competitive environment does exist for professional services and
the grantee needs to follow the requirements of FTA C 4220.1 F when Federal funds are used to
pay for these services.
Reference
49 CFR 18.36 (d) (4)
FTA C 4220.1 F, Ch. 111, Section 3.a (1) (e)
FTA C 4220.1 F, Ch. VI, Section 3.i
Training Content
The training will use a combination of lecture, power -point presentation, pre -and -post tests,
case study analysis, and group decision -making to determine:
• Definitions of sole source, single bid, and brand name or equal
• Developing a rationale for a sole source contracting opportunity
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 20
• Recognizing examples of sole source bids
Davis -Bacon Wage Requirements
Scope: Using examples from the City's procurement files, the Davis -Bacon Act training module
will provide the City of Fort Collins with the tools to apply the tenets of the Davis -Bacon Act to
construction procurements over $2,000 for federally -assisted contracts, understand the three
key federal statues (Davis -Bacon Act/Davis-Bacon Related Acts, Contract Work Hours and
Safety Standards Act, and Copeland Act), understand the Davis -Bacon Process from planning
through construction, and understand the statute's applicability to City construction estimates
and contracts.
Background: The Davis -Bacon Act, as amended, requires that each contract over $2,000 to
which the United States or the District of Colum.bia is a party for the construction, alteration, or
repair of public buildings or public works shall contain a clause setting forth the minimum wages
to be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics employed under the contract.
Section 1606 of the Recovery Act requires that all laborers and mechanics employed by con-
tractors and subcontractors'on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or in part by and
through'the Federal Government pursuant to the Recovery Act 'shall be paid wages at rates not
less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the
Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of title 40, United States
Code. Federal agencies providing grants, cooperative agreements, and loans under the Recov-
ery Act shall ensure that the standard Davis -Bacon contract clauses found in 29 CFR 5.5(a) are
incorporated in any resultant covered contracts that are in excess of $2,000 for construction,
alternation or repair.
Under the provisions of the Act, contractors or their subcontractors are to pay workers employed
directly upon the site of the work no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits
paid on projects of a similar character. The Davis -Bacon Act directs the Secretary of Labor to
determine such local prevailing wage rates. In addition to the Davis -Bacon Act itself, Congress
has added prevailing wage provisions to approximately 60 statutes, which assist construction
projects through grants, loans, loan guarantees, and insurance. These "related Acts" involve,
construction in such areas as transportation, housing, air and water pollution reduction, and
health. If a construction project is funded or assisted under more than one Federal statute, the
Davis -Bacon prevailing wage provisions may apply to the project if any of the applicable
statutes require payment of Davis -Bacon wage rates.
Reference
29 CFR parts 1, 3, and 5
Training Content
The training will use a combination of lecture, power -point presentation, pre -and -post tests,
case study analysis, and group decision -making to:
Apply the tenets of the Davis -Bacon Act to construction procurements over $2,000 for
federally -assisted contracts
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October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 21
• Determine wage rates for construction projects
• Understand three key federal statues: Davis -Bacon Act/Davis-Bacon Related Acts, Con-
tract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, and Copeland Act
• Understand the Davis -Bacon Process from planning through construction,
• Understand the statute's applicability to City construction estimates and contracts.
Deliverables
Deliverables for the Training component of this project will include paper and electronic copies
of all the materials developed for this project including presentations; workbooks, reference
documents, and samples used throughout the training process.
Phase 3: On -going Consultation
Post evaluation and training, Interactive Elements is available to provide expert consultative
support on an as -needed basis relevant to future Federal procurement programs. We envision
this to be similar to our San Joaquin and BATMA procurement consultation where we are called
upon, either to develop or review and comment upon procurement -related issues.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 22
STAFFING
To meet the scheduling and staffing demands to both evaluate procurement practices and as-
sist in correcting deficiencies through training, Interactive Elements has assembled a Team of
seasoned transit professionals with:
• significant expertise in federal, state, and local procurement on both the grantee and the
government side
• long careers in public transportation management, policy, and practice
• extensive experience in the conduct of FTA review, audit, and review activities
• demonstrated skills for cost-effective and timely delivery of quality services
• excellent training and teaching skill sets
These individuals have worked with FTA Headquarters, every one of the ten FTA Regional Of-
fices,:hundreds of FTA, grantees throughout the nation, and in the procurement departments of
major federal, state, and local agencies.
Led by a Project Manager, Ms. Laurie Heinze, the team consists of 8 professionals, all of whom
have significant procurement expertise. IEI has an additional staff of transit professionals who
can support elements of the program, should particular technical expertise may be requested.
Members of the Team have:
• supported the development of Procurement Review policy and other elements of the FTA
Oversight Program during tenures at the FTA; they have also contributed to the develop-
ment and implementation of the PSR methodology
• directed and participated in Procurement Reviews as FTA staff, grantee staff, and Project
Management Oversight Consultants
• managed Procurement Departments at major grantees
• conducted, as early Triennial Reviewers, detailed reviews of grantee Procurements (dur-
ing the early phases of the Triennial Review Program, the Procurement portion of the Tri-
ennial Review was far more detailed than it is today)
• conducted dozens of Triennial Review Workshops around the country
As a full service transit -consulting firm, we have expertise in:
• the details of rail and bus transit procurements (we are currently providing engineering
and administrative support for two multi -billion dollar car procurements for New York City
Transit)
• specification, packaging, and procurement of engineering and construction services
• ADA and Buy America statutes and regulations and their implementation in public mass
transit
• procurement programs, policies, and practices at major transit agencies
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 23
As a long-time supplier of audit, investigation, review, and oversight services to the FTA,
we have a record of supplying clear, concise, accurate, readable reports, especially on
highly technical material.
Together these Team Members provide technical expertise in transit and transit' procurement
and process expertise in the goals, methods, and approach of the evaluation and training proc-
ess and a record of accomplished performance of complex and sensitive reviews at transit
agencies across the country.
Organization of the IEI Team
The IEI Team is organized for a flexible, prompt, effective response to the City of Fort Collins.
Figure 1 shows this organization. IEI will provide an eight -member management group that in-
cludes a Project Manager; Laurie Heinze; a DeputyProject Manager, Michele Butchko; a Prin-
cipal -in -Charge, Susan Gilbert; and a complement of IEI professional staff with compliance re-
view experience and expertise. While we foresee that a majority of the site -specific work will be
accomplished by the Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager; and lEl's Colorado Office Man-
ager, other members of the management team are also available to assist.
The organization and qualifications of the Team are provided below in brief bio format. Full re-
sumes are provided as Appendix A. The short biographies listed below begin with the Project
Manager, Laurie Heinze, and are then arranged in alphabetical order by.last name.
Project Management
Laurie Heinze — Project Manager; Ms. Heinze has more than 25 yearsof experience in transit
operations, federal oversight, management, and performance analysis and improvement. She
manages IEI's FTA Triennial Review program, which requires management of six transit profes-
sionals in their assessment of practices for FTA grantees in 24 programmatic areas, and she
organizes and leads the Review Regional Workshops that include training operations personnel
in preparation for reviews and in understanding the federal regulations they must comply with to
successfully meet those regulations.
For the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission in Stockton, CA, Ms. He developed guide-
lines for the development of various procurement processes; developed procedures for manag-
ing change orders; reviewed procurement documents prior to advertising to ensure compliance
with Federal requirements; assisted the agency with complying with real estate acquisition re-
quirements; provided on -call services for-compliance'with'FTA's 5307 Formula Grant Program
requirements; and conducted pre -Triennial Review assessments to determine level of compli-
ance
Similarly, for the Buckhead Area Transit District, Ms. Heinze has -developed procurement proce-
dures in accordance with Federal requirements for new transit agency in the Atlanta metropoli-
tan area. She assists the agency in developing various types of procurements (I FP, RFP,
FRQ); assists in evaluating proposal submittals; and provides on -call services for compliance
with FTA's 5307 Formula Grant Program requirements
Ms. Heinze served as quality assurance manager for MARTA's General, Engineering Consultant
(MATT) and was responsible for developing, staffing, and implementing a configuration man-
agement and document control program for MARTA under the control of the GEC. She also
serves as an instructor in the distance -learning program at Brenau University in Georgia.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 24
Submitted via e-mail to: joneill@fcgov.com
October 6, 2011
Mr. James B. O'Neill II, CPPO, FNIGP
Director of Purchasing & Risk Management
City of Fort Collins
215 North Mason Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
'Re: 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA-Funded Projects
Dear Mr. O'Neill:
Interactive Elements is pleased to submit the attached response to your RFP for the Training &
Procurement Review for FTA=Funded Projects.
Interactive Elements has been contracting with the FTA since 1990. We are currently a prime
contractor in both the Triennial Review and Project Management Oversight Programs, and we
have worked closely with Headquarters, all ten Regional Offices, and more than five hundred
grantees. As a prime contractor with the Triennial Review Program, we not only conduct the
reviews, but we also organize and teach the Triennial Review Workshops, imparting to grantees
the foundation of FTA requirements in 24 areas, including Procurement.
To meet the procurement needs of the City of Fort Collins, the IEI Team offers the ideal
combination of:
• familiarity with FTA oversight objectives and the ways and means of achieving them
• a fresh perspective on how procurements and reviews of procurements are conducted
and how they might be made even better
The attached proposal documents:
• the extraordinary hands-on transit procurement and operating experience of our staff
and the value of this experience in working with grantees
• our strong performance in other FTA assignments
• our demonstrated ability to provide timely, expert technical assistance in a concrete form
that is valued by grantees
• our ability to manage our resources 24/7 for prompt, efficient completion of deliverables,
flexible deployment of expert personnel, and ready availability of senior staff
Our price proposal assures the City of Fort Collins exceptional value in achieving the immediate
benefits of a tailored procurement training program and seeing long-term improvements in the
City's ability to comply with federal procurement requirements. These, in turn, will help assure
more effective and efficient transit operations.
We appreciate this opportunity to respond to your RFP and we look forward to working with you
in the future.
Wi h warm r gards,
Susan Gilbert, President
INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 160 East 42n° Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611
Michele Butchko, AICP — Serving as Deputy Project Manager, Ms. Butchko. is a certified plan-
ner who has worked in public mass transit since 1981, including ten years at the nation's sec-
ond largest commuter railroad, where she was the project manager for the railroad's first feeder
bus effort. She leads the firm's planning activities and has led more than 100 FTA triennial re-
views of.bus, rail, and ferry systems, and participated in FTA PMO assignments including New
Starts and NEPA work. She has interacted with stakeholders and overseen community rela-
tions on numerous major urban transit projects. As the director of government and community
relations and de facto chief of staff for NJT's Hudson Bergen Light Rail project from 1998-2005,
she reported directly to the president and CEO regarding critical issues relating to community
affairs, incidents, and all media relations that she handled. She also interacted regularly with
elected officials, contractors, and area residents. She recently completed a challenging study to
determine physical attributes present at sites of commuter rail and transit suicide incidents for a
USDOT/FTA/FRA research project called Preventing Rail Transit Suicides. At a 2011 5-day,
multi -person, Triennial Review of the Washington Metro System (WMATA), Ms. Butchko led the
review of the Procurement area..
Maxine Finkelstein — A senior executive and business analyst with more than twenty-five years
experience in planning and managing transportation and trade programs analyzing financial and
business policy in the public sector, developing capital planning and budgeting programs, and
managing and motivating staff and business teams. She is a key member of the firm's FTA Tri-
ennial Review Team, assessing compliance of FTA grantees in 24 areas such as procurement,
civil rights, financial, and maintenance, in,transit agencies around the country. She participates
in FTA Grant Management Seminars and Regional Workshops, and conducts risk assessments
and other analyses for the firm's FTA PMO assignments. Other assignments include operations
analyses for MTA Bridges and Tunnels and Metro North Railroad services, analysis of Project
Labor Agreements for USDOL and planning projects for the New York Metropolitan -Transporta-
tion Council, the regional planning organization. Ms. Finkelstein was the Project Manager for
the firm's FTA Program Management Oversight of NJT's Access to the Region's Core, an $8
billion project that includes a new trans -Hudson rail tunnel (the largest public transit project in
the country). At a 2011 5-day, multi -person, Triennial Review of the Washington Metro System
(WMATA), Ms. Finkelstein led the review of the Finance area.
David D.,Frye - Mr. Frye is a member IEI's FTA Triennial Review Team, performing field re-
views of agency compliance with federal regulations. The reviews assure that recipients of.fed-
eral mass transit funding execute their programs in accordance with federal requirements. Mr.
Frye serves. also as -an instructor at grantee workshop training. Mr. Frye participated in'the
firm's PMOC.program in 2009 when IEI was the over contractor for New Jersey Transit.
Mr. Frye was part of the risk assessment team, with responsibility for procurement aspects of
contract packaging. As a Procurement Administrator for the Chicago Transit Authority, Mr. Frye
was responsible for complex, multimillion -dollar procurements. He oversaw the preparation of
the bid proposals process to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Susan Gilbert - Ms. Gilbert created IEI in 1989, bringing with her more than 20 years of public
sector experience in transportation, corrections, and public affairs. As IEI's chief executive offi-
cer, she is responsible for the firm's day-to-day and strategic management, including finances,
staffing, marketing, and technical performance. She is currently principal-ili-charge of the firm's
FTA Triennial Review Program,, and has managed many of its major assignments.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 25
She has overseen and delivered numerous technical advisory and external outreach programs,
including during the study phase of New Jersey Transit's (NJT) Access to the Region's Core
(ARC); MTA-LIRR's East Side Access, where IEI was also responsible for safety training and
internal communications including orientation programs and newsletters. She coauthored Con-
struction Contractor Safety Training Program for Supervisors and Workers for NJT's Kearny
Connection Project, now operating as the highly successful Midtown Direct Service. With Dr.
Schulz she authored TRB's Guidelines for the Effective Use of Uniformed Transit Police and
Security Personnel (1997) and Video Surveillance Uses by Rail Transit Agencies (in press). She
chairs the APTA Grade Crossing Safety Sub -Committee and has been a frequent instructor in
accident investigation and emergency management for the Department of Transportation (US -
DOT). In 1992 she directed a $1 million FTA-sponsored safety investigation of the LIRR and
Metro -North for which IEI was awarded the FTA Administrator's 1992 Women's Business Enter-
prise Award.
Kay Luongo - Ms. Luongo is part of IEl's FTA Triennial Review Team, leading reviews in sev-
eral of the assigned regions. She is also a member of the Jacobs PMOC Team (Interactive is a
subcontractor) evaluating the Gary Public Transportation Corporation's (GPTC) management,
organization, and operations to assist FTA in determining the technical capability and capacity
of GPTC to effectively comply with FTA requirements. The final product is a recovery plan de-
termining corrective actions for GPTC to be removed as a "high -risk" grantee. Ms. Luongo
served more than 27 years as a top -rated federal civil servant, with 20 years of experience
managing complex transit programs for FTA. Ms. Luongo was the manager and contracting of-
ficer's technical representative (COTR) for Triennial Reviews. She led the development of the
FTA Oversight Order, the agency's first comprehensive approach to uniformity in oversight re-
views covering triennial reviews, civil rights, DBE, procurements, oversight management, safety
and security, and drug and alcohol. After leaving the federal sector, she continued in the public
sector, including developing a grants management program for Collier County, Florida.
Suzanne Reese - Ms. Reese manages IEI's Colorado office. As a member of the firm's Trien-
nial Review Team, she has participated in Triennials in Regions 8 and 9. Ms. Reese has, more
than 23 years of experience managing and overseeing projects at transit agencies, and vehicle
and equipment manufacturers. She has monitored major construction initiatives as a Project
Management Oversight Consultant for the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) highly suc-
cessful PMO program. and assisted the firm in developing procedures to meet the FTA's
QA/QC program oversight guidance. In addition, Ms. Reese is managing the firm's participation
in the RTD (Denver) FasTracks program for the West Corridor, the East Corridor, the 1-225 Cor-
ridor, Southeast and Southwest Corridor Extensions, and the Central Corridor.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 26
Figure 1: Organization of the IEI Training & Procurement Review Team
Susan Gilbert
Principal -in -Charge
Laurie Heinze
Project Manager
Michele Butchko AICP
Deputy PM
Suzanne Reese I I Maxine Finkelstein I I Kay Luongo I I Walter Carter I I David Frye
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October 6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 27
COST PROPOSAL
Interactive Elements is pleased to submit this cost proposal in response to the City of Fort
Collins' RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA-Funded Projects.
Assumptions
We have based our cost proposal on conducting both the Procurement Review and the Training
portions of the work for a firm fixed price. We believe this will be beneficial to the City in that it
will produce the best work product at the best price.
IEI's firm fixed price for the Procurement Review and Training is: $47,452
Travel and travel expenses will be billed with actual costs and have been estimated to be no
more than $5,200 using government contractor rates for lodging and GSA rates for meals and
incidentals. Other direct costs for printing, postage and other items related to the preparation of
training materials will be billed at actual cost.
The above fixed price assumes that a training facility will be provided by the City of Fort Collins.
Should an outside facility be required, the City will be directly billed. Should the services of IEI's
logistical expert be required, the City will be billed at $175.00 per hour.
On-goin-I Consultation
The on -going consultation portion of this proposal will be billed at an hourly rate of $175.00 plus
any direct costs.
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED 28
APPENDIX A
RESUMES
Laurie Heinze, Project Manager
Michele Butchko, Deputy Project Manager
Susan Gilbert, Principal
Walter Carter
Maxine Finkelstein
David Frye
Kay Luongo
Suzanne Reese
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
Laurie M. Heine
Project Manager
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Ms. Heinze is a results -oriented transit professional with more than 25 years of experience in operations,
federal oversight, management, and performance improvement. She has a proven track record in project
management for FTA compliance, bus and rail operations, rolling stock management, and workplace
safety, including System Safety and Security and Emergency Preparedness programs. Her expertise in
procedure development, process improvement, and organizational effectiveness has assisted transit
agencies in meeting their performance goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRANSIT PROJECT MANAGER
June 2003 — Present
Interactive Elements
Atlanta, GA
Ms. Heinze manages the [El office in Atlanta and directs the FTA Triennial Review Program as well as
several other major projects. For the Triennial Review program she manages 12 transit professionals in
the assessment of practices for FTA grantees in 24 program areas including safety, security,
maintenance, finance, procurement, and ARRA. She is responsible for the technical expertise of the
review staff; scheduling and conduct of on -site reviews; ensuring quality standards are met for all
deliverables; and preparing performance -based reports for FTA review. She also organizes and leads
Triennial Review Regional Workshops in which she applies her expertise in transit operations and federal
regulations to present sound grants management practices for rail and bus transit operations.
Ms. Heinze has directed IEI's work (as a subcontractor to Connectics) on several state safety and security
reviews of MARTA for GDOT and has provided federal program guidance to the San Joaquin Regional
Rail Commission design and construction of commuter rail facilities. She currently also provides bus
operations oversight for the Buckhead Shuttle (Atlanta). She served as QA Project Manager for MARTA's
General Engineering Consultant, MATT and was responsible for developing, staffing, and implementing a
comprehensive configuration management and documentation control program for MARTA under the
control of the GEC. This effort included assessment of MARTA's current practices and the supporting
databases and documentation used for safety critical systems and subsystems, among them rail vehicles;
train control; communications; traction power; auxiliary power; fire protection; tunnel ventilation; station
elevators and escalators; bus fueling; and garage ventilation systems.
MANAGER, GRANTS AND CONTRACTS Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
2002-03 Atlanta, GA
Ms. Heinze was responsible for developing and implementing managerial procedures for this regional
transit authority's procurement, grants management, and contract administration business in accordance
with State and Federal requirements. She developed agency procedures, plans, and programs for system
safety, procurement, contract administration, and documentation control.
PROGRAM MANAGER Prosafe Solutions
2001-2002 Temple, GA
With her expertise in behavior -based workplace safety and organizational behavior, Ms. Heinze developed
and conducted construction safety training programs for workers in residential and commercial
construction environments.
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT MARTA
1989-2001 Atlanta, GA
Ms. Heinze served in positions of increasing responsibility during 12 years at the nation's sixth largest
rapid transit system. As Director of Employee_ Development, she led a comprehensive corporate
restructuring program including process re -engineering to meet corporate safety, operations, customer
service, quality, and financial management goals. Among its accomplishments, this program reduced
operating budgets by 20% by eliminating redundant services and functions. Her staff of 65 served as
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UM Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street - 2035 / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611
internal audit and assessment teams to study and recommend organizational changes, procedural
development, training requirements, and follow -though implementation. It included an internal consulting
effort to align daily transit operations to corporate goals and objectives and provided these services to
address risk control and improve asset management and workplace safety.
,As Manager of Projects and Procedures (1998-99), Ms. Heinze authored operational policies and
procedures to that established product and service conformance requirements and ensured that
management performance objectives were met. For four years, she managed Documentation Control
and Configuration Management. This included development and implementation of MARTA's system for
continuous control of engineering and contractual documents, whether associated with the design,
construction, maintenance, procurement, or safety operations of the transit system. She authored
MARTA's first comprehensive set of processes and procedures that ensured changes to the transit
system were identified, evaluated, approved, documented, implemented, and archived.
During three years as a Contracts Engineer, Ms. Heinze managed all start-up operations associated with a
multi -year, $200 million FTA rail rehabilitation contract, including contract specifications and vehicle
performance requirements, resource planning, training, personnel management, union relations, and
vendor contract performance. She also managed life cycle project f& mid -size construction%maintenance
contracts ($50-250K) and developed and managed the Project Management Plan for fixed rail contracts.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
1986-89
Operational Systems Network
Fremont, CA
Ms. Heinze provided litigation consulting services for the rapid transit industry:
PROJECT MANAGER
1982-86
Overhead Door Corp./Todco Group
Haywood, CA
Ms. Heinze managed all start-up and daily operations of a $20 million UMTA (FTA) funded rail car
rehabilitation contract, including technical requirements, vendor relationships, schedule, resource
management, quality control, configuration management, materials management, claims management,
and warranty administration.
EDUCATION
Brenau University, Instructor's Certificate for Instructional Design, Online Learning, 2003
Brenau University, MBA, Business Administration, 2000
Georgia State University, Certificate of Training, ISO 9000 - Auditing and Procedural Development, 1999
Oglethorpe University, State of Georgia Mediation Certification, 1997
University of Georgia, BS, Education, 1981
OTHER
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
2003 — Current
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
Ms. Heinze teaches management courses to undergraduate and graduate level students. These courses
encompass best practices in management processes and procedures, including TQM, Six Sigma, ISO
9000, and other industry -accepted continuous quality processes.
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Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street - 2035 / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611
Michele Butchko, AICP
Director, Planning and Development
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Ms. Butchko has more than twenty-five years of experience in transit and city planning, project and
program management, and project and program implementation in the public and private sectors. She
has an extensive background in planning and public policy, has a long record of public service, and has
expertise in diverse areas of the transit industry including planning; logistics, system safety, training, and
community.relations and,public affairs. She has expertise in FTA New Start and Triennial Review
regulations and procedures, including the environmental and historic requirements for major projects.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Interactive Elements
1996-Present New York, NY
Ms. Butchko is instrumental in the firm's assignments in transit planning, project implementation, and
construction management. As part of the PMOC team for NJ Transit's multi -billion dollar New Start THE
Tunnel project to construct two rail tunnels under the Hudson River, she provided oversight and,expertise
during the EIS and PE processes and designed and completed a comprehensive Stakeholder Analysis to
assist in determining project risk. She was the Project Manager on TCRP-A9, a study of light rail audible
signals; she developed Program Management policies and procedures for a multi -million dollar capital
plan for the RTA in Las Vegas, Nevada; and she has revised APTA's Manual for the Development of
System Safety Program Plans for Commuter Railroads as part of an overhaul of the APTA review
process. Ms. Butchko recently completed a challenging study to determine physical attributes present at
sites of commuter rail and transit suicide incidents for a USDOT/FTA/FRA research project called
Preventing Rail Transit Suicides. She is currently working on multiple projects including developing a
methodology for estimating O&M costs for the Stewart Airport/West of Hudson Regional Transit Access
Study.
Ms. Butchko's knowledge of FTA regulations and procedures has allowed her to conduct Triennial
Reviews for more than 100 public transit agencies to determine grantee performance and compliance with
FTA's current programs and policies. As a lead reviewer and regional coordinator, Ms. Butchko organizes
and conducts desk reviews; prepares draft and final reports, documents the review findings and lists the
corrective actions necessary to bring these agencies into full compliance with FTA's requirements. She
has served as an instructor at multiple regional Triennial Review Workshops and has provided logistical
support working with all ten regions and headquarters since 2005.
From 1998 to early 2005, Ms. Butchko served as the Director of Government and Community Relations
and de facto Chief of Staff for NJ Transit's $1.7 billion Hudson -Bergen Light Rail System Design -Build -
Operate -Maintain project as a direct report to the President and CEO. She was the primary public
interface for the project, handling critical issues relating to community affairs, incidents, and the media,
while also interacting on a daily basis with elected officials, contractors, residents, and merchants. She
was a long-standing member of the project's Fire Life Safety Committee, working with emergency
responders from six municipalities and was an integral member of the 9-11 response teams. She also led
the Safety Certification process for the.Newark City Subway extension, an $86 million part of the HBLR
project. She has also designed and supervised other public outreach programs in complex settings.
For an Amtrak Comprehensive Evaluation of Existing Life Safety Improvements for Pennsylvania Station
New York, the East River Tunnels, and the Hudson River Tunnels, Ms. Butchko developed a digital
database of the NYC Transit's signal system assets after conducting an inventory and analysis to
establish a common set of Signal System Design Standards for NYCT.
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Interactive Elements Incorporated 160 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
1994-1996
Ms. Butchko provided technical assistance, strategic and short-range planning, research, and training for
public, private, and non-profit organizations. She prepared, reviewed, and commented on a wide variety of
planning texts, proposals, and construction documents. She conducted multiple planning and land use
studies and worked with agencies to provide budget, management, funding, and staff development
strategies. With her extensive knowledge of_fare collection practices, fare box designs, driver training,
and union regulations, she consulted with_and assisted agencies_ including NJ Transit, NYCDOT
(paratransit), and Fairfax County (VA) in the development of ridership survey and revenue protection
programs. She reviewed and recommended for approval draft and final EIS's and worked with transit
applicants to assure compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. She prepared
documentation to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the
US DOT Act, and provided guidance and assistance to transit agencies in the preparation of EAs,
FONSIs, and Categorical Exclusions.
MANAGER, POLICY AND PLANNING Metropolitan Transportation Authority
'1992-1994" New York, NY
Ms. Butchko developed, managed, and oversaw service delivery of a $3.5 million start-up, outreach, and
case management program designed to improve transit quality of life in New York City through the,
hardening of fare areas, reconstruction of non -fare areas, development of policy changes, and application
of professional outreach to the transit system. She led a dedicated team'of Transit Police, stations and
operating department representatives, and professional outreach specialists to significantly reduce
system -wide homelessness, which resulted in the improved productivity of line workers.
PLANNER/MARKETING COORDINATOR MTA Metro -North Railroad
1983-1992 New York, NY
Ms. Butchko managed the start-up Hudson Rail Link Project, a $2 million prototype rail -feeder bus that
began revenue service in 1991. Ms. Butchko conducted public outreach, technical research, marketing
research, contract and financial negotiations, process and project evaluation.
Ms. Butchko managed a staff of 40 full and part-time technicians to collect year-round railroad ridership
data and she hired, trained, supervised, and developed more than 300 staff over five years. She
developed statistically significant sampling plans and analyzed data examining seasonal variations and
trends; designed, conducted, and analyzed quantitative and qualitative research studies in an effort to
improve service delivery and increase ridership; and assisted in the development of a'covert revenue
protection data collection program for Metro -North in conjunction with Accounting and Internal Audit
Departments.
She developed a•$500,000 market research and data collection program that drove the railroad's service
planning function. In addition, she designed and conducted customer satisfaction (Report Card) surveys,
for on -board trains and at stations.
Ms. Butchko supervised UMTA (FTA) Section 15 data collection study, working with a consultant to
develop a data collection strategy, enabling the railroad to estimate annual passenger miles traveled.
Working for PRC Voorhees, Ms. Butchko supervised the MTA Metro -North Railroad benchmark ridership
study, a project conducted during the 1981-82 transition from Conrail ownership to Metro -North
EDUCATION
MS Management and Urban Policy/Nonprofit Management - Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Urban
Policy and Management, New School University
BS Education - Curriculum land Instruction, University of Oregon
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Institute of Certified Planners Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility
American Planning Association Womens' Transportation Seminar
Project Management Institute
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Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street % New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
Susan Gilbert
President
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Ms. Gilbert's thirty plus years in the public sector has included work at the nation's largest
transit agency, the nation's second largest commuter railroad, and the nation's largest
department of correction. She has worked for the New York State legislature and provided the
public affairs program that assured passage of a major state transportation bond issue. Under
her direction, Interactive Elements has become an award -winning transportation consulting
company with special accomplishments, in operations, safety, and security.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PRESIDENT
1989-Present
Interactive Elements
New York, NY
Ms. Gilbert created and directs a transportation consulting firm that works effectively in a broad
range of public transportation disciplines. As chief executive officer, she has responsibility for
day-to-day and strategic management, including financial decisionmaking, staffing, and
administration of marketing and technical performance. Ms. Gilbert is principal in_charge of
the FTA's Triennial Review Program, a project involving 60 transit agencies across the
country, and has coordinated and supervised dozens of grant management. projects during the
5-year contract. She has managed other major, assignments, including:
State Safety and Security Reviews for Massachusetts (MBTA) and Florida DOT (MDTA)
Technical advisory committee meetings and outreach during the study phase for New
Jersey Transit's Access to the Region's Core (ARC).
FTA,Oversight Program Annual Meeting involving representatives from FTA headquarters
staff, state and regional agencies, and private consultants
• LIRR East Side Access - IEI is responsible for safety training, public outreach, and internal
communications, including successful orientation programs and internal newsletters
• TRB's "Guidelines for the Effective, Use of Uniformed Transit Police and Security
Personnel," the largest and most comprehensive study of transit security ever performed
• an FTA-sponsored Safety Investigation of WMATA's organizational and command
structure with emphasis on safety, training; and operational and maintenance procedures
• a review of grade crossing and signal issues at the LIRR (the railroad adopted 31 of the
firm's 32 recommendations)
• a $1 million FTA-led Comprehensive Safety Investigation of the LIRR and Metro -North, for
which the firm received the FTA Administrator's 1992 Women's Business Enterprise Award
In addition, Ms. Gilbert directed the firm's community outreach efforts for the NYCT LaGuardia
Airport Access Study and its participation on FTA-sponsored triennial reviews. She was
coauthor of the Construction Contractor Safety Training Program for Supervisors and Workers
for NJ Transit's Kearny Connection Project, now a highly successful Midtown Direct Service.
She is chairman of the APTA Grade Crossing Safety Sub -Committee and a frequent instructor
in accident investigation and emergency management for the USDOT.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS MTA Metro -North Railroad
1981-88 New York, NY
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n Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
#7284
Proposal for
Training 8& Procurement Review for FTA-Funded Projects
TECHNICAL and COST PROPOSAL
Submitted by
Interactive Elements Incorporated
October 6, 2011
INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED / 60 East 42n° Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212490-9611
Ms. Gilbert created the Public Affairs Department of a new quasi -public company, serving
more than 100,000 daily customers from New York State and Connecticut. She recruited and
led a team of twenty marketing and public relations professionals who forged a positive
corporate image and communicated to all of the railroad's numerous constituents. She
administered an annual budget in excess of $2 million: establishing all internal and external
publications, including On Track and Mileposts; developing public information programs on
major improvement projects, such as the restorations of Grand Central Terminal and the Park
Avenue Tunnel; developing and implementing award -winning safety awareness programs.
She participated in railroad operations activities including daily morning operations meetings to
review events of the preceding 24 hours; monthly capital planning meetings, which covered
scheduling of all capital construction projects; planning and evaluation meetings for
emergency simulations; system inspection trips and daily monitoring of rush-hour, periods in
the Operations Command Center.
She directed all media relations for the railroad and Grand Central Terminal, including 24-hour
emergency media service and rush hour traffic reporting services; initiated and sustained a
Community Relations Office for liaison with elected and appointed officials and key community
members; created community safety programs; and administered the Customer
Correspondence Office to ensure prompt response to customer complaints and inquiries.
MANAGER OF MEDIA RELATIONS MTA New York City Transit
1979-81 Brooklyn, NY
Ms. Gilbert directed all media relations for the nation's largest public transit agency, comprising
45,000 employees and 40 departments. She managed local and community relations events,
and special public service events and projects, such as a campaign to keep new buses clean.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS New York City Dept. of Corrections
1979 New York, NY
Ms. Gilbert planned, coordinated, and directed all public information activities of one of the
largest correctional systems in the nation. She determined the method and content of all
communications with news media, outside agencies, civic groups, and the general public.
PRESS SECRETARY Office of the NY State Senate Minority Leader
1975-78 New York, NY
Ms. Gilbert directed all public relations activities for the Minority Leader and Democratic
Senators. Managed a staff of writers, press aides, and field coordinators in Albany and New
York City. Served as a member of policy staff for legislative planning and evaluation of issues
and programs..
EDUCATION
BA, History (with Distinction), Queens College of the City University of New York, 1962
Rail System Safety, USDOT, Transportation Safety Institute, 1993
Rail Accident Investigation, USDOT, Transportation Safety Institute, 1992
PUBLICATIONS (Partial Listing)
"Deterring Crime Fears on Public Transit," Crime & Justice Int mational, Sept. 2001, with D.
Schulz.
"Surveillance Technologies: Leveraging Transit Security Forces," Police Chief, July 1995.
"Developing Strategies to fight crime and fear," Police Chief, July 1995, with D. Schulz.
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Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
Walter C. Carter
Transit Specialist
Interactive Elements Incorporated
PROFFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRANSIT SPECIALIST
2006-Present
Interactive Elements
New York, NY
Mr. Carter is a member of the firm's FTA Triennial Review Program. Building on his prior
experience as a Procurement Administrator at a major transit agency, Mr. Carter has
conducted Triennial Reviews in various FTA regions, at both small and large grantees.
He also serves as one of the firm's OTRAK administrators. In2008, IEI's Triennial
Review Team conducted 55 compliance reviews of bus and rail transit systems across
the country. [El was also responsible for setting up grantee workshops across the
country (including Puerto Rico), and providing instruction that trained more than 700
grantee personnel per year in FTA compliance.,ln.addition, IEI planned the highly
successful FTA Annual Oversight Meeting for headquarters and regional staff.
Mr. Carter is also a member of the Jacobs PMOC Team (Interactive Elements is a
subcontractor) evaluating the Gary Public Transportation Corporation's (GPTC)
management, organization, and operations to assist FTA in determining the technical
capability and capacity of GPTC to effectively and efficiently comply with FTA
requirements. The final product is a recovery plan determining corrective actions for
GPTC to be removed as a "high -risk" grantee. The PMOC Team will also monitor GPTC
progress for a period of time.
PROCUREMENT ADMINISTRATOR Chicago Transit Authority
2005-2006 Chicago, IL
Mr. Carter has coordinated the construction oversight duties, which include renovation
and repair work on CTA facilities. He has been responsible for the contract
management of consulting firms that employ technical, professional, and managerial
staff. Mr. Carter has evaluated and monitored compliance with Chicago Transit
Authority's programs and policies and with state and federal requirements to ensure the
attainment of goals and objectives. He reviews contract specifications, conducts pre -bid
meetings, and analyzes purchase requisitions to determine proper procurement
methods. In addition, he is responsible for generating various types of procurements.
WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR- Shipping and Receiving United Parcel Service
1999-2004 Prescott Valley, AZ
Mr. Carter directed all operational functions and oversight activities. His duties ranged
from management to strategic planning. He supervised the local sort and pre -load
operation, managing crews of up to 15 people. He coordinated strategic operating plans
for Customer Service, Technical Support, Field Services, and Marketing. Mr. Carter was
responsible for monitoring personnel time cards, staffing, and pay schedules. In addition,
he was in charge of the building's security and safety training.
EDUCATION
Coursework in Civil Engineering and Mathematics, City Colleges of Chicago
ri
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. Maxine Finkelstein
Senior Transit Specialist
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Maxine Finkelstein is a senior executive and business analyst with more than twenty-five
years experience in planning and managing transportation and trade programs,
analyzing financial and business policy in the public sector, developing capital planning
and budgeting programs, and managing and motivating staff and business teams.
Ms. Finkelstein spent twenty-eight years at The Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey, a bi-state public agency responsible for transportation, trade, and economic
development projects in New York and New Jersey. Among its facilities are two bus
terminals, the PATH,transit system, three airports, six bridges and tunnels, marine
terminals and freight facilities, and various economic development initiatives.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SENIOR TRANSIT SPECIALIST
2003-Present
Interactive Elements
New York, NY
Ms. Finkelstein was the Project Manager for the firm's FTA Program Management
Oversight of NJT's Access to the Region's Core, an $8 billion project that includes a new
trans -Hudson rail tunnel (the largest public transit project in the country). She is also a
key member of the firm's FTA Triennial Review Team, assessing compliance of FTA
grantees in 24 areas such as procurement, civil rights, financial, and maintenance, in
transit agencies around the country. She participates in FTA Grant Management.
Seminars and Regional Workshops, and conducts risk assessments`and other analyses
for the firm's FTA PMO a'ssignmehts. Other assignments include operations analyses for
MTA Bridges and Tunnels and Metro North Railroad services, analysis of Project Labor
Agreements for USDOL and planning projects for the New York Metropolitan
Transportation Council, the regional planning organization.
DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER Port Authority of NY & NJ
Regional E-Z Pass Program New York, NY
1996-1998
Ms. Finkelstein was responsible for establishing business requirements among the
metropolitan area's highwayand toll authorities for a region -wide customer service
center, and developing the RFP for implementation of E-Z Pass (electronic toll
collection) in the New York -New Jersey region.
MANAGER,PORT
1988-1996
Port Authority of NY & NJ
New York, NY
As Manager of Marketing (1990-1995), Ms. Finkelstein, directing.a staff of account
executives, contributed to the growth of trade and commerce and enhanced the
competitiveness of the_Port of NY & NJ by creating partnerships with the diverse,
business constituencies of the Port, including terminal operators, steamship lines, rail
carriers, labor, and local businesses. New Port Initiatives included introduction of new
service routings for trade with Asia to compete with West Coast ports, enhanced rail
Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
service at the marine terminals, more efficient truck access to cargo, and enhanced Port
of NY message and relationships with trading partners around the world.
As Manager of Policy and Administration (1988-1989), Ms. Finkelstein managed policy
areas, including relationships with the Board of Commissioners and Governors' offices
staff, realigned organization and staffing to better serve business functions, and
managed strategic and financial planning and budgeting for the $100 million Port
business.
MANAGER, FINANCE Port Authority of NY & NJ
1980-1988 New York, NY
As Manager of Resource Planning, Ms. Finkelstein created and implemented an agency
wide capital planning process. The process required line managers to develop project
plans that included engineering and other capital costs; revenue and maintenance
impacts; staffing and service implications; risk and contingency planning and economic
impact on the region. Plans from all agency operations were consolidated and financing
capacity examined, along with potential sources of funding from credit markets and other
sources, to create a long range financial plan meeting all agency legal and policy
objectives.
SUPERVISOR, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS Port Authority of NY & NJ
Tunnels, Bridges, and Terminals New York, NY
100-1980
Ms. Finkelstein supervised all economic and traffic analyses and toll policy. She was
responsible for all planning, which led to the first change in agency tolls in 1975, and
defended the'toll change before the FHWA Administrator in administrative proceedings.
As project leader of a study of peak period/congestion pricing, mandated by the FHWA,
she developed models to test various operational, environmental, economic, and
revenue impacts, and was awarded the Executive Director's Unit Citation for the study.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Brooklyn College (1975), Lecturer in Economics .
Battery Park City Authority (1987), Consultant: Created financial models for residential
land use.
Women's Transportation Seminar: Leadership Development Program Founder and
Chair (2001 to present), Scholarship Board Treasurer (2001-2008)
Transit Center, Board Member (2008 to present)
Non -Traditional Employment for Women (NEW), Board Member (2002 to present)
EDUCATION
Brooklyn College, BA, Economics and Mathematics
New York University, MBA
Executive Training programs at University of Michigan and Princeton University
Port Authority Executive Development Training
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IJ�J Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
David D.'Frye
Transit Specialist
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Mr. Frye's career spans both private and. public sectors. He held positions of increasing
responsibility in the banking industry prior to his six years of experience at one of the
nation's largest transit organizations. As a member of IEI's Triennial Review team, Mr.
Frye draws upon his banking experience in the Finance, Procurement, and other areas
of FTA oversight as the .Triennial Review oversight process involves the examination,
investigation, and review of accounting records, financial statements, management
practices, and internal controls for compliance with. federal and , state program
regulations. Oversight also includes the preparation of reports containing findings,
recommendations, and corrective actions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TRANSIT SPECIALIST
2006-Present
Interactive Elements
New York, NY
Mr. Frye is a member of the firm's FTA Triennial Review Team, performing field reviews
of compliance with federal'regulations. These reviews include properties that range from
very large and complex to'medium, small and some high -risk grantees. The Triennial
Reviews are performed to ensure compliance with Federal statutes and administrative
requirements. These include, but are not limited to, 49 USC, Chapter 53; 49 CFR,
applicable parts; Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circulars, (5010.1 D, 9030.1 C,
4220.1 F, etc.); FTA's Master,Agreement and SAFETEA-LU,'funding legislation. The
reviews provide assurances that recipients of federal mass transit funding execute their
programs in accordance with federal requirements.
The reviews provide oversight and constructive guidance to agencies in areas that
include Financial, Maintenance, Technical Capacity, Procurement, Public Participation,
ADA Compliance, Safety, Security, Buy America, and Planning. In 2008, Interactive
Elements conducted 55 compliance reviews of bus and rail transit systems across the
country. The firm was also responsible for conducting grantee workshops across the
country, and providing instruction that trained more than 700 grantee personnel in FTA
compliance. Mr. Frye serves as one of the instructors at the grantee workshops.
Mr. Frye participated in the firm's PMOC program in through 2009 when Interactive
Elements was the oversight contractor for New Jersey Transit, which included the design
and construction of an $8 billion tunnel under the Hudson River (the project was
commonly referred to as ARC, Access to the Region's Core). Mr. Frye was part of the
risk assessment team, with responsibility for procurement aspects of contract packaging.
SENIOR PROCUREMENT ADMINISTRATOR Chicago Transit Authority
2001-2006 Chicago, IL
Mr. Frye was responsible for complex and multimillion dollar procurements. He oversaw
the preparation of the bid proposals process to ensure compliance with state and federal
regulations, including: the initiation of bids, request for proposals, and letters of interest
and qualifications; analyzed purchase requisitions to determine proper procurement
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HE Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
methods; and determined the accuracy and quality of the descriptions of goods and
services. Mr. Frye was responsible. forresearching the market place to identify new
products, technologies, and services to support new and ongoing projects for the
Authority. He prepared requests for concurrence and approval from funding on
procurements as necessary. He also coordinated with Senior Management to establish
procurement priorities for staff for specific projects and expedite procurements and
purchases as necessary.
SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE Northern Trust Bank
1997-2001 Chicago, IL
Mr. Frye held positions,of increasing responsibility, culminating in the position of Senior
Representative, responsible for the daily account management and overall operations
activity for a proprietary client base. His portfolio included more than 100 global and
domestic corporate clients. As a member of the Trade Team and Trade Settlement
units, from 1997 to 1999, he coordinated daily trade settlements for some of the largest
corporations in the nation and was responsible for the daily trade settlement of 50
Investment Managers and brokers to negotiate timely settlement of all trade activity.
In this role, he was responsible for coordinating with the Investment Manager Group, all
daily trade settlements and any related operations activity for all.client directed accounts
These were clients"who had in-house staff directing trades (key focus — FORD). In this
role, he was responsible for additional support, when needed, for daily trade settlements
of Northern Trust Inside Trade Desk. This included all other client directed accounts
such as NTQA and PIMCO.
Responsible for the daily trade settlement of 50 Investment Managers Mr. Frye worked
exclusively with brokers to negotiate timely settlement of all trade activity. The key focus
was Compaq and APAM.
CORPORATE ASSET SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR The First National Bank of Chicago
1989-1997 Chicago, IL
As 'overall' account relationship manager for five major corporate accounts, Mr. Frye
was responsible for managing all their trade and non -trade operations with the Bank.
EDUCATION.
DePaul University —Chicago, Illinois
DeVry Institute of Technology — Chicago, Illinois
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�I Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
Kay Luongo
Senior Transit Specialist
Interactive Elements Incorporated
Ms. Luongo served more than 27 years as a top rated federal civil servant, with 20 years of experience
managing complex transit programs for the Federal_ Transit Administration (FTA). After leaving the
federal sector, she continued in the public sector at the state level, successfully establishing a
transportation grants management program for Collier County, Florida.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SENIOR TRANSIT SPECIALIST Interactive Elements
2007-Present New York, NY
Ms. Luongo has worked with Interactive Elements during its term as a Triennials Review contractor. She
joined the firm and is part of its Triennial Review Team, leading reviews in several of the assigned
regions. She is also a member of the Jacobs PMOC Team (Interactive is a subcontractor) evaluating
the Gary Public Transportation Corporation's (GPTC) management,. organization, and operations to
assist FTA in determining the technical capability and capacity of GPTC to effectively comply with FTA
requirements. The final product is a recovery plan determining corrective actions for GPTC to be
removed as a "high -risk" grantee.
TRANSPORTATION GRANTS MANAGER Transportation Services Division
2005-2007 Collier County, FL
Ms. Luongo has hands-on responsibility for development of a newly created grants management
function She implemented the County program under SAFTEA-LU, to cover activities that receive FTA
or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding.
She managed some $26 million a"yea`r in federal and state grants, including the development of a grants
tracking database; establishing technical guidance for planning and administering grant programs;
preparing annual budgets; and compiling the annual "Single Audit Report" covering grants and verifying
the financial data to be reported.
Ms. Luongo assisted the Director and General Manager of the County Alternative Transportation Modes
program to prepare the annual budget amendments to conform to FDOT requirements. She assisted in
the purchase of buses, assuring that all federal requirements were met.
Because the County also administers the,Collier Area paratransit system, M.S. Luongo was responsible
for administration of funding for transportation services for the disabled and economically disadvantaged.
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST Federal Transit Administration, (FTA)
1987-2004 Washington, DC
Ms. Luongo was the Manager and Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for Triennial
Reviews, a congressionally mandated program for monitoring regulatory compliance by recipients of federal
transit funds. She led the development of the FTA Oversight Order, the.agency's first comprehensive
approach to uniformity in oversight reviews. covering triennial reviews, Civil Rights, DBE, procurements,
oversight management, safety and security, and drug and alcohol. She worked with other federal agencies,
including the Office of Management and Budget, to develop an all-inclusive Contractor's Guide for the Triennial
Review Program. This guidance was recognized by the Office of Inspector General as exemplary for good
oversight management and used in presentations to various government grant organizations as a standard for
good grant management. As Triennial Review program manager, she pioneered FTA's technical assistance
workshops, The Grants Management Seminars, which began as a pilot project presented during an APTA
Management Conference in 1996. Following the revamping of FTA Circular 4220 to meet the requirements of
the Common Rule, Ms. Luongo was a member of the team that traveled to the 10 regions to update grantees
U[ i Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
and regional staff on changes. Ms. Luongo also served as the COTR for the procurement system reviews;
worked with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the General Accounting Office (GAO) to resolve
numerous sensitive issues.
Other activities at the FTA included: regular reports to Congress on the Triennial Review Program;
development of budget for and management of successive $25 million contracts for the triennial reviews;
budgeting and management of $3 million in annual funding for the National Transit Institute; two years as
the COTR for procurement systems reviews; work on revamping FTA's procurement guidance for
grantees; and participation on TRB Committees to evaluate Transit Research Projects.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
1984-1987 Washington, DC
Ms. Luongo worked with major news outlets including the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street
Journal and network television to develop news stories and editorials detailing FTA's policies and programs.
This work resulted in front page articles and editorial stories in the named publications.
CHIEF ADVERTISING, PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY Voice of America (VOA)
1982-1984 Washington, DC
With direction from the United States Information Agency to increase VOA listeners, Ms. Luongo
developed a worldwide promotion, advertising and exhibits program that was credited with increasing
foreign audience response 17-fold,'from 15,000 letters a year to more than 250,000.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST General Services Administration (GSA)
1977-1984 Washington, DC
Ms. Luongo assisted in the development of the GSA's first Women Owned Business Conferences. In addition
to normal public affairs activities of writing editorials, news releases and working with major news outlets, she
prepared White House briefing papers for both the Carter and Reagan Administrations.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER University of Southern California
1973-1976 Los Angeles, CA
Ms. Longo worked full-time in a program funded by a federal grant to develop techniques for working
with exceptional children. She developed the grant application to fund the program and tracked student
and faculty activities and progress made under the grant.
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER The Chattanooga Times
1971 Chattanooga, TN
While attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Ms. Luongo worked part time contributing
to the paper on dining and entertainment issues.
AWARDS
Vice President's Hammer Award for Excellence in Government
Government Outstanding Performance Awards
Government Meritorious Performance Awards
Cash Awards for Major Contributions
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee
California State University
0
o0 Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
Suzanne Reese
Manager, Transportation Projects
Interactive Elements Incorporated
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Ms. Reese has more than 23 years of experience managing and overseeing projects at transit agencies,
and vehicle and equipment manufacturers. She has monitored major construction initiatives as a Project
Management Oversight Consultant for the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) highly successful PMO
program.
Ms. Reese has managed an ISO-9000 certification, including a successful first audit, in less time and at
lower cost than industry norms. She has managed the production of engineering test reports; critical
design review packages; operating, service, and repair manuals; illustrated parts catalogs; and training
manuals. She has developed and delivered training programs. She has reviewed Standards and Methods
on major, capital projects from preliminary design to construction to revenue operation. In the course of
such reviews, she has compared management practices to industry best practices for project and
construction management, inspection verification, and reporting.
She has applied this expertise at public and private bus transit agencies, people movers, and light rail
properties, including such clients as New Jersey Transit, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Metro
Dade Transit (FL), Southern Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA), Bay Metro Transit (San
Francisco), Disney World, San Diego Trolley, Denver RTD, Portland Tri-Met, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles,
and San Francisco Muni.
MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS Interactive Elements
2005-Present Denver, CO
Ms. Reese manages IEI's Colorado office. As a member of the firm's Triennial Review Team, she has
participated in Triennials in Regions 8 and 9. She is also assisting the firm in developing procedures to
meet the FTA's newly published QA/QC program oversight guidance. In addition, Ms. Reese is managing
the firm's participation in the RTD (Denver) Fastracks program for the West Corridor, the East Corridor,
the 1-225 Corridor, Southeast and Southwest Corridor Extensions, and the Central Corridor. The firm's
responsibility for all corridors is the development of the system safety and security programs.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT CONSULTANT KJM & Associates
2000-2005 Denver, CO
As part of an STV-led PMO team, Ms. Reese participated in the federally -mandated engineering oversight
of several major transportation projects, including: Charlotte, NC's CATS new start, a $400 million, 15
station light rail system; Denver's $178 million Southwest Corridor Project; and the related $1.67 billion T-
REX Project, also in Denver. The T-REX project is unique in that it has joint federal participation from the
FTA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In the course of this work, Ms. Reese reviewed
engineering and operating plans, project management plans, system safety and system security program
plans and other essential project documentation. She conducted site visits and discussed project issues
and progress with agency engineers and managers and consultant and contractor staff. She provided
liaison with both the FTA and FHWA, including written reports on her findings. In addition, she provided
constructive technical assistance, including working with agency personnel to identify appropriate,
applicable industry best practices.
PROJECT MANAGER and Research Inst. of Colorado/SOtrak
Corporation
MANAGER, DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING Lamar, CO
1989-2000
Ms. Reese provided engineering project management responsibilities for a number of large rail contracts.
f❑
u� Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
She implemented necessary technical improvements, did field work at customer sites, and prepared
reports in accordance with contractual requirements. For the San Diego Trolley (MTDB) light rail car
rebuild program, she managed quality and budget, and ensured on -time delivery of the entire rail car
rebuild program.
As Manager of Documentation, Publications, and Training, Ms. Reese produced engineering test reports,
Critical Design Review packages, operating, service, repair, and training manuals, and illustrated parts
catalogs for HVAC applications. She developed and assisted in presenting HVAC applications training
programs for transit agencies.
Ms. Reese also co -directed SUtrak Corporation's implementation of ISO-9000. As a result of her efforts,
SUtrak achieved its certification in a shorter time and at a lower cost than other comparable firms. Post -
certification, Ms. Reese served as an ISO-9000 auditor, responsible for auditing compliance throughout
the organization, and coordinated the maintenance of the firm's ISO registry.
SENIOR TECHNICAL WRITER Neoplan USA
1984-1988 Lamar, CO
For this major bus manufacturer, Ms. Reese produced illustrated parts catalogs, operator's manuals, and
maintenance manuals. She developed service requirements and maintenance programs for the transit
customers of the firm. She developed maintenance training programs for the entire vehicle and its
subcomponents and prepared and conducted classes for the field technicians on an annual base to
educate the field technicians on the new emerging technology, new federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards requirements and emission standards.
EDUCATION
BS, Business Management, University of Phoenix, 1998
AA, Liberal Arts, Lamar Community College, Lamar, CO, 1985
Ashbrook Quality Assurance Training 2001
Management of Construction Projects— National Transportation Institute, Denver, CO, 2001
Design -Build Project Development — National Transportation Institute, Denver, CO, 2001
Connecting Communities Emergency Preparedness and Security Forums - FTA 2002
FHWA Project Management Training 2002
Construction Safety Training 2003 RTD, Denver, CO
On -Track Training March 2003 RTD, Denver, CO
CERTIFICATIONS
ISO-9000 Certified Internal Auditor 2001
ISO-9000 — Auditor Training Perry & Johnson 1998
OSHA Safety and Health Training 10 hrs — 1999
UIR Interactive Elements Incorporated / 60 East 42nd Street / New York, NY 10165 / 212-490-9090 / 212-490-9611 FAX
CONTENTS
SUMMARY INFORMATION 1
INTRODUCTION 2
INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS 3
FTA-RELATED WORK PROJECTS and PRODUCTS 5
Transit Agency Compliance Reviews
Procurement Assistance for FTA Grantees
Statistical Tracking Methodology for FTA ARRA Grants
FTA Document Review and Revisions
Project Management Oversight Program
Other Special Assignments
PAST -PERFORMANCE PROJECT REFERENCES g
FTA Triennial Reviews FY 2007-2012
Statistical Tracking Methodology for FTA ARRA Grants
FTA Project Management Oversight FY 2009-2014
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE 12
Technical Understanding
Process Expertise
TECHNICAL APPROACH 14
Phase 1: Procurement Process Review and Evaluation
Phase 2: Training
Phase 3: On -going Consultation
STAFFING 23
Organization of the IEI Team
Project Management
COST PROPOSAL 29
Figures
Figure 1: Organization of the IEI Team 27
Appendix A
RESUMES
Appendix B
CERTIFICATIONS
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED i
APPENDIX B
CERTIFICATIONS
Annual Approval of Certificate (DBE) #5860
RTD Small Business Approval Certficate
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
Regional Transportation District
November 13, 2009
Ms. Susan Gilbert
Owner/President
Interactive Elements, Inc.
60 E. 42nd Street
New York, New York 10165
1600 Blake Street
Denver, Colorado 80202-1399
3031628-9000 MDM
SUBJECT: SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION APPROVAL
Dear Ms. Gilbert:
Your application for certification as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with Regional
Transportation District (RTD) has been approved pursuant to RTD's SBE program
policies and procedures. RTD accepts your application and Personal Financial
Statement as proof that you meet the criteria for certification as a Category 3 SBE.
Firms approved as Small Business Enterprises are certified to participate in non -
federally funded contracting opportunities with SBE participation requirements.
Certification does not guarantee contracts with RTD, and certified firms are still
required to market RTD and prime contractors for prime and subcontracting
opportunities.
Your company will appear in the next update of RTD's SBE Directory. . RTD
personnel will use this directory as an outreach source for suppliers and contractors
as required. Based on the information you have provided, your company will be
listed under the following classification code(s).:
RTD Bid Code Master List #:
C803
Project Management
C364
Engineering Consulting
C358
Urban Planning
C347
Transit Professional Services
C348
Transit Planning
C332
Light Rail [Professional Services]
C317D
Transportation Engineering & Design Services
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
This certification is valid until November 13, 2012. However, on an annual basis,
you must submit an updated Personal Financial Statement(s), gross receipts for the
business, number of employees, and any information on recent contracts/projects
completed. It is your responsibility to notify RTD when any changes in your
business structure occur that affect your qualifications as a Category 3 SBE.
If there are any changes in the ownership, control, mailing address, telephone
number of your firm, business size, affiliations with other firms, or your personal
net worth exceeds $750,000 (excluding your interest in your residence or the
applicant firm) you must notify this office immediately.
RTD reserves the right to withdraw this certification if it is determined that this
certification was knowingly obtained by false, misleading, or incorrect information.
RTD also reserves the right to request additional information and/or to conduct an
on -site visit or a more thorough investigation anytime during the tenure of this
certification period.
Please visit the Business Center at www.rtd-denver.com for information on doing
business with RTD and to find resources available to small businesses.
We welcome your participation in our SBE program and wish you every success. If
you have questions, please contact me at (303)299-2111.
rcenn es
rain
Busine Opportunity & Outreach Officer
303 2-21 1 1
kenn.hardin@)rtd-denver.com
c: certification file
STATE OF COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
vifiee of%erfiileaiian
4201 East Arkansas Avenue, Room 200 Ldirl&VOTI
Denver, Colorado 80222 w
Main:303-512-4140 00� aFrnua=ATIM
Fax:303-512-4146
June 4, 2009
Ms. Susan Gilbert
Interactive Elements, Inc.
60 42nd Street, Suite 2035
New York, NY 10165
Dear Ms. Gilbert,
ANNUAL APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATE #5860
The Office of Certification is pleased to inform you that Interactive Elements Inc. has been reviewed grid
.7,...........] t:,,:t.t,, c - �,....:�....a .......:..:.....:.... .t.,. T r..:.,,,t c....,,S n,...11aI-.. .,c—+,.l T.............+..a:....',. /T T Q Tll1T\
LLVVLIIVV Vlff,1 V1V 1V3 Vl1 WlYVLL 11Ul YV1114LLV1111a LLLV VlLL 1.VLL Ul4lVLV41111F Vl 11(LllJilVI lGLLV11 J,V.U. LV1/
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Program. This letter serves as your official
Y ... _ a..i ..a. T,.!r_.....e. n
r._.•. r u - 1 �. r. _�_
UGI•L111UQL1U11. 1 UUl° lll'lll Will l'•U1IL11lUG LV 11e IIICLULLGLL Vll t/le l.V1U1'ULLU UlUlUl'lll l.Cl'1t 110Htt1711 1'1'Ugi°klllt `J Vli-1111e
directory of eligible DBE's. You can access the directory at www.dot.state.co.us/app_ucp/.
Certification number is 5860
Expiration June 30, 2012
Certified to participate as a DBE on U.S. DOT financially -assisted projects in the State of Colorado
For the duration of your firm's continued eligibility, business development assistance is available from
Colorado's UCP members. To inquire about particular programs available through these entities, please contact
them directly.
In accordance with U.S. DOT Regulations found at 49 CF'R Part 26, your firm is certified for a period of three
years, provided annual updates are timely submitted. You will be notified each May, the month prior to the
anniversary of your certification, that your certification status must be re-evaluated. The notification provides
instructions on documents to submit to the Office of Certification. However, should you not receive notification
from this office during that month, it is your responsibility to contact us. Submittal of this information is
necessary to ensure that there is no interrltption in your certified status daring the three-year period,
The State of Colorado's UCP partners wish you continued success in all your business endeavors.
Sincerely,
J �
Greg Diehl, EO Supervisor
Office of Certification
Interactive Elements Inc.
Certification #5860
Is Hereby certifiedas a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise pursuant to v.S.
Department of Transportation DBE regulations foundat 49 CEX Parts 23
and 26 and admirnsiered6y Colorado's `vCP.
W01CCodes:
40100 Construction 911anagement aZ plated 50108 Business Services — Training
Servues I 51300 Public Involvement e0iiarings
50103 Business Services — Consulting 51600 Security
its cent (cation expires on the fast -day ofdune 2012. A new
"cent#icate wif 6e issued'ending every 3.rd year upon successfully
meeting..annual renewafreguirements:
6/4/2009
Greg 1DiW EO Supervisor late
`UC1' Partner at CDOT IF
SUMMARY INFORMATION
7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
Proposer: Interactive Elements Incorporated
60 East 42°d Street — 2035
New York, NY 10165
Authorized Binder of Corporation: Susan Gilbert, President
212-490-9000
sbg@ieitransit.com
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 _ INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
INTRODUCTION
America's public transit industry meets its procurement needs from a complex network of
funding sources governed by numerous local, state, and federal regulations. Yet each
government regulation and each funding source's requirements are based on the rational
deliberations of planners, legislators, and authorities. '
The FTA has pioneered in the provision of "constructive technical assistance" to its grantees
operating in such complex environments. It has developed review policies, practices, and
procedures that both monitor -grantee compliance with regulations and assist grantees in
improving their ability to comply. This approach is seen in'the Administration's Triennial Review_
Program and the Procurement Systems Review framework.
While there is no dearth of procurement information available to grantees, the area of
procurement usually ranks first or is tied for second on the number of deficiencies found during
Triennial Reviews, with typical findings being: no FTA clauses, lack of required cost/price
analysis, lacking required justification/documentation for non-competitive award' deficiencies in
written procurement policies and procedures, and policies and procedures not evident.
The IEI Team offers the ideal combination of familiarity with FTA objectives and the ways and
means of achieving them, and a fresh perspective on how procurements and reviews of pro-
curements are conducted, and how they might be improved.
This Proposal, prepared in response to the City of Fort Collins RFP 7284 Training &
Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects, presents Interactive Elements' Technical
Expertise in procurement, including:
• a team consisting of eight, compliance experts, all of whom have significant procurement
experience .
• its understanding of FTA Procurement requirements grounded in regulations and
circulars, the ETA's Procurement System Review (PSR) process, and its place in the
larger Procurement Review framework and overall FTA program
• the resources of the Interactive Elements Team to complete the Scope of Work,
including its considerable bench -depth to address changes in scope or schedule of
requirements
• the Team's hands-on expertise in the procurement and oversight processes and with
transit agency administration and operation
• the experience of the Team in managing and delivering procurement system evaluation
and training in all aspects of transit agency function, along with full resumes for
members of the Project Team
and IEI's approach for:
• achieving accurate, timely, compliant procurements in the most cost-effective manner
• providing knowledgeable, sensitive assistance to the City of Fort Collins
• maintaining a ready reserve of expert staff for Program Support and Special
Assignments
• delivering accurate, clear, and tailored training and referencematerials for Procurement
Technical Assistance Trainings
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED
INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS
Interactive Elements Incorporated (IEI),is a woman -owned, 8a graduate / DBE / WBE/ SBE
small business with a 20-year, record of accomplishment in transit consulting. It has
successfully performed.technically complex and organizationally sensitive reviews,, audits, and
investigations. It was the recipient of the 1992 FTA Administrator's Women's Business
Enterprise Award for its performance of the largest Section 22 safety investigation of commuter
railroads ever undertaken; it has performed hundreds of triennial reviews, starting in 1994.
The firm's staff is characterized by a special understanding of the operating needs of transit
agencies. The staff includes individuals with hands-on transit operating experience at transit
agencies of all sizes, including the country's largest and most complex transit systems. IEI has
worked with every major transit agency in the nation and hundreds of smaller agencies
performing triennial reviews, and reviewing the safety operations and performance of dozens of
others.
The firm's staff is,d aracterized by a special understanding of the operating needs of transit
agencies. The staff includes'several individuals with hands-on agency experience in .
management, procurement, and transit operations at the nation's largest and most complex
transit systems.
Through our participation in the FTA Triennial Review Program since 1994 we have performed
federally -mandated compliance reviews of many hundreds of transit systems across the county,
the vast majority of them bus systems. IEI has also conducted conferences and training
programs in a variety of situations, including on behalf of all 10 FTA regions preparing agencies
for grants management for the Triennial Reviews. In addition to developing materials and
supplying instructors for annual FTA Triennial Review and FTA Oversight Workshops, IEI has
been responsible for the logistics of setting up such meetings, including working with'hotels to
assure the most cost effective and hospitable arrangements for the workshops.
As an FTA Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC) in numerous locations, including
some continuing assignments over multiple PMO periods, our oversight work is conducted in an
environment of professional respect among reviewers and grantees. In March 2004 the firm
became the .first woman -owned business to receive a prime contract for FTA Project
Management Oversight and was assigned a grantee with one of the nation's largest transit
capital programs (New Jersey Transit). IEI is currently the PMOC for the Maryland Transit
Administration Red Line and Purple Line extensions.
As a prime contractor in the FTA PMOC program, IEI helped draft FTA Circular 5800.1 and has
subsequently applied its regulations and guidance during reviews of System Safety Program
Plans and related documents on numerous capital projects across the country.
As subconsultants,to design firms involved in a number of New Starts Projects, IEI staff,
including many assigned to this project, have served as researchers and authors of a number of
the documents required by FTA and which, in our roles as PMO auditors, -we have also been
asked to review.
Staff also have experience planning and conducting oversight training on behalf of FTA regions,
and have delivered a variety of academic and professional training seminars in multiple areas.
Workshops have been conducted to provide technical assistance to grantees, for example, on
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED . 3
the ARRA grant program administration, risk assessment procedures within the New Starts
program, and various topics arising from Triennial Reviews in addition to procurement, such as
maintenance and planning.
Additional Supporting Resources
The Team has other valuable resources that would be beneficial to the City of Fort Collins
During the course of its extensive transit oversight and review practice, members of the Team
have worked with every one of FTA's ten Regional Offices. They have worked with hundreds of
grantees, and have actively participated in constructive assistance.programs under the_FTA
umbrella and elsewhere. These activities have included workshops, teaching, including at the
Triennial Review Workshops and the USDOT's Transportation Safety Institute; and participation
in peer reviews.
The Team has broad geographic coverage, with offices, assignments, and activities across the
nation. IEI headquarters are in midtown Manhattan, and branch offices are located in Atlanta,
Chicago, Washington DC,, and Colorado. In addition, we are certified as either a WBE or DBE
in 22 states, including the State of Colorado.
IEI's offices include state-of-the-art networked computers and there is team -wide compatibility of
communications and software.
Finally, the Team has considerable bench depth. Each individual has several people who can
support, assist, or, If necessary, replace him or, her. This is advantageous for the basic work
scope, and it is of extraordinary value if additional special assignments arise
Interactive Elements is registered in the Government's Central Contractor Registry (CCR)
Response to RFP 7284 Training & Procurement Review for FTA Funded Projects
October6, 2011 INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCORPORATED `