Consent 1.E.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/13/2017
- TITLE
- Consulting Agreement with Westat - Travel Demand Census
- PRESENTED BY:
- Wyeth Friday
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The Travel Demand Census is a project that will collect the necessary data for the development of a Multi-modal Travel Demand Model (TDM). The development of a TDM will allow for in-house traffic modeling of existing and future transportation systems based on local data. Currently, the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Travel Demand Model is maintained by the Montana Department of Transportation. The model does not assess conditions to the degree desired to evaluate modal shifts, development impacts and transportation project impacts at the local level. The local model will also include transit and bike/ped considerations that are not currently available with the MDT model.
In September of 2016, the Planning Division solicited proposals from qualified consultants to complete the travel census. Three proposals were received and reviewed by a selection committee including City, County, and Montana Department of Transportation staff. The consultant selected was Westat from Rockville, Maryland. The UPWP budgeted amount for this census was $70,000. During negotiations with Westat, the Montana Department of Transportation proposed increasing the budget to $140,000 that would allow for additional surveys to be completed and include the entire County. MDT agreed to fund the additional $70,000 to complete the project.
This project is identified in the 2017 Billings Urban Area Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP is developed each year and identifies tasks to be completed through the use of Federal Planning dollars allocated to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. This project will require a Scope of Work and Documentation package to be completed within 10 months of contract signing.
In September of 2016, the Planning Division solicited proposals from qualified consultants to complete the travel census. Three proposals were received and reviewed by a selection committee including City, County, and Montana Department of Transportation staff. The consultant selected was Westat from Rockville, Maryland. The UPWP budgeted amount for this census was $70,000. During negotiations with Westat, the Montana Department of Transportation proposed increasing the budget to $140,000 that would allow for additional surveys to be completed and include the entire County. MDT agreed to fund the additional $70,000 to complete the project.
This project is identified in the 2017 Billings Urban Area Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP is developed each year and identifies tasks to be completed through the use of Federal Planning dollars allocated to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. This project will require a Scope of Work and Documentation package to be completed within 10 months of contract signing.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The City Council may:
- Approve the consultant agreement as proposed
- Not approve the consultant agreement (not approving the agreement means the City Council is not approving completion of a funded project in the 2017 UPWP that was already approved by the Policy Coordinating Committee)
- Direct staff to negotiate specific changes with Westat and return a revised agreement
- Approve the consultant agreement as proposed
- Not approve the consultant agreement (not approving the agreement means the City Council is not approving completion of a funded project in the 2017 UPWP that was already approved by the Policy Coordinating Committee)
- Direct staff to negotiate specific changes with Westat and return a revised agreement
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of this study is $140,000.00. The costs are detailed in Exhibit B of the consultant agreement. The source of funding is through a 50/50 cost share between the Billings Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's Federal PL (planning) funds and the Montana Department of Transportation.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Consultant Agreement with Westat to complete the Household Travel Census.