Washington, D.C.’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to firms interested in submitting Statements of Qualification (SOQs) to design, build, operate and maintain an integrated premium transit system.

The system, which includes a streetcar network, local bus provisions, and both existing and new transit facilities, is designed to link neighborhoods with attractive transportation alternatives, reduce short inner-city automobile trips, and facilitate and encourage economic development and affordable housing options within the District.

The Integrated Premium Transit (IPT) advances key elements of the District’s 30-year transit vision. The IPT will be developed in phases and is comprised of 22-miles of dual/single track fixed guideway, related equipment and facilities, and potentially, up to 15 additional miles of fixed guided track.

Additionally, the IPT encompasses all local bus services within the District. To meet the goals of DC’s Transit Future System Plan, the IPT builds upon segments currently in construction or planning, establishes priorities for planning and scheduling purposes, and creates a robust system with the maximum number of linkages. The incorporation of local bus services allows the District to provide transit services in a multi-modal, integrated and efficient manner.

As part of the IPT Program, new transit facilities and services will be added and existing facilities and services will be modified to meet forecasted ridership demands and economic growth within the District. The IPT is expected to be developed in a number of phases with each phase being comprised of “Streetcar Segments” and “Bus Components.”

The procurement will be conducted as a two-step process with an RFQ followed by an RFP. Prospective proposers will be short-listed based upon their SOQ submissions evaluated against the extensive qualification criteria in the SOQ.

The specific limits of the IPT will be further specified in the Request for Proposals (RFP) which will be issued to the short-listed responding teams. DDOT will host pre-SOQ workshop for interested proposers.