L.A. Metro updates unsolicited proposal guidance during global pandemic

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has updated guidance for its Unsolicited Proposal Policy to prioritize proposals related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unsolicited Proposals continue to play a role in shaping L.A. Metro amidst change and disruption. Since 2016, the agency says the Unsolicited Proposal Policy has generated dozens of ideas that reduce costs or generate revenue, streamline internal processes and enhance the customer experience. The agency also notes the policy has established partnerships and expanded L.A. Metro’s adaptive capacity.

Four months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy has likewise kept up its trend of delivering value. L.A. Metro says it has received nearly a dozen proposals responding to the health crisis, from new cleaning and disinfection methods to workforce protection measures and customer information tools.

Guidance for proposers

While receiving proposals is critical to the policy’s success, budgetary uncertainty makes it difficult to deliver projects unrelated to the health crisis response, says L.A. Metro.

The following guidance for the Unsolicited Proposal Policy is effective immediately.

L.A. Metro continues to evaluate Unsolicited Proposals during the COVID-19 health crisis. During this time, however, it is prioritizing proposals related to pandemic response, service relaunch and regional recovery that support efficient mobility in a changed world.

These include but are not limited to:

• Innovations that aid in response such as cleaning and hygiene, social distancing (for both employees and customers) and delivering service during stay-at-home orders;
• Innovations that help in relaunching service to meet residual demand and emerging needs;
• Innovations that reduce costs, are cost neutral or generate revenue; and
• Innovations that help L.A. Metro adapt and evolve its role in effectively providing mobility in a changed world.

Due to the dynamic and uncertain nature of the crisis, and to aid prioritization, L.A. Metro has temporarily suspended its 90-day review period. Previously submitted Unsolicited Proposals are being addressed on a case by case basis. Similarly, implementation of any accepted proposals may vary based on level of priority.

Innovation remains core

In a changed and changing world, innovation is critical to adapt. L.A. Metro says it is counting on proposals and partnerships that support efficient mobility in a changed world. Changes to the policies will periodically be reassessed.