CIRTA Procurement Opportunities

Bid Opportunities

If you would like to be alerted of future CIRTA procurement opportunities, please send us an email.

Email: info@cirta.us

Please include the following information in your email if you’re interested in procurement opportunities with CIRTA: YOUR NAME, COMPANY NAME, COMPANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE, BUSINESS PHONE & EMAIL

Current Opportunities

Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is seeking responses to its Request for Proposals (RFP) 2025-08-01-01 Commuter Connect Media Campaign Development. A full copy of the RFP can be found here or by contacting CIRTA at 317-327-7433.

Release Date: Aug 1st, 2025, Written Questions Due: Aug 12th, 2025@10:00am (EST) Answers to written questions posted: by Aug 14th

RFP Due Date: September 9th, 2025, 4:00PM (EST). All proposals should be submitted to : Jennifer Gebhard, Executive  Director- CIRTA/ Commuter Connect Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority 320 N. Meridian Street, Suite 920 Indianapolis, IN 46204

Interviews, if any: Week of September 16th, 2025, Target Contract Award Date: October 14th, 2025, to begin January 1st, 2026

Proposals submitted after the due date and time will not be considered. All responses must completely follow the instructions found on the RFP. Questions should be directed to Jennifer Gebhard or 317-327-7433.

 

Questions received from RFP#2025-08-01-01 CIRTA request for proposals for Commuter Connect Media Campaign Development and Media Buy 2025

  1. I have one question to submit regarding CIRTA RFP #2025-08-01-01 for Commuter Connect Media Campaign Development and Media Buy 2025:

On page 6 Section 1.2 of the RFP it says “proposing firms must submit one (1) original proposal with appropriate seals and signatures, five (2) copies…” so can you please clarify how many additional copies of our submission we should prepare to submit? Page 11 Section 2.2 says five copies should be submitted and the proposal checklist on page 17 says three copies, so I just want to clarify.

 

Answer: Three copies would be sufficient.

 

  1. The RFP specifies social media advertising as part of the paid media plan. Are there any preferred platforms or past performance data on which social media platforms have shown the best engagement for similar campaigns in the past?

 

Answer: We have used Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram in the past.  We have seen the best results with Facebook.

 

  1. The RFP mentions that the total budget should not exceed $300,000, which includes all services, production, media buys, and commissions. Can you clarify how much of this budget should be allocated specifically to media buys versus creative development, production, and other services?

 

Answer: This is typically determined in a kick-off meeting in the first quarter of every calendar year.  Flexibility will be important.

 

  1. The RFP outlines various goals such as increasing commuter participation and employer involvement. Can you provide further details on the specific metrics (e.g., number of new sign-ups, level of employer engagement) you would like to measure to gauge the campaign’s success?

 

Answer: A metric we have used in the past was the number of sign-ups for commuter participation.

 

  1. Can you verify that this is mail-in only?

 

Answer:   Yes, we request mail-in only.

 

  1. How will CIRTA measure success (i.e., what are, from your perspective, the key performance indicators)?

 

Answer:   Success has been measured in different ways over the years, such as website hits and clicks for brand recognition. Sign-ups have also been strong performance indicators.

  1. What is your expectations in terms of reports? What data and how frequently? Do you expect regular face-to-face meetings to review performance, and if so, how often?

 

Answer: We would have monthly virtual meetings and would request reports during campaigns during and after.   We would also potentially need reports for board meetings at times which occur every other month.

  1. Does the Commuter Connect program extend to all 10 counties specified as the CIRTA territory?

 

Answer: All but Delaware county, currently.

  1. And lastly, you mention Creativity and innovation in Media Campaign concepts within your evaluation criteria. Is it your expectation to see actual creative concepts and ideas, or is this just reference to the media plan?

 

Answer: It would certainly help us to see the big picture and it would be appreciated.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy

Procurement Policy Manual

  • Available upon request. Please email info@cirta.us to request a copy.

Protest Procedures

Protests concerning CIRTA’s procurement policies, the contract requirements, the specifications, the bidding procedures, or the contract award, or any other request for explanation or clarification must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director and must be include the following information:

  • The name and address of the protester;
  • The name and telephone number of the protester’s contact person having responsibility; and
  • A complete statement of the grounds of the protest with full documentation of the protester’s claim.

A. PRE-AWARD PROTESTS

Pre-award protests must be received by CIRTA no less than ten (10) working days before the scheduled bid opening. CIRTA will respond to the protest in writing and render its final decision at least five (5) working days prior to bid opening. CIRTA will report such protests to the FTA regional office.

B. POST –AWARD PROTESTS

Post-award protests will be received no later than five (5) working days after notification of the award bid. CIRTA will have ten (10) working days after receipt of the formal protest package to evaluate and issue a response, except in cases where the original bid has been awarded by the Board. In such cases, the decision to protest will be handled at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting, following completion of the staff review of the protests. CIRTA will report such protests to the FTA regional office.

C. APPEALS TO FTA

It is the responsibility of CIRTA to settle contract issues and disputes. CIRTA is committed to using good sound administrative practices and business judgments, as well as professional ethics. Reviews of protests by FTA will be limited to alleged failure by CIRTA to have followed proper protest procedures, or its failure to review a complaint or protest. Protesters dissatisfied with CIRTA’s final decision may appeal to FTA regional or headquarters offices within five (5) working days of the date the protester knew or should have known of the violation.