Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Chief Innovation Officer to enter into a professional services contract with Siemens Mobility, Inc. Intelligent Traffic Systems, hereafter referenced as Siemens, in an amount of up to $1,800,000.00 for the development of a system that allows users to pay for multimodal trips and parking options from a single account, known as the Common Payment System (CPS).
The Smart City Challenge is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant program seeking to “create a fully integrated, first-of-its kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future.” In 2016, the City of Columbus, acting through the Department of Public Service, applied for and won the Smart City Challenge, receiving a $40 million dollar grant from USDOT and a $10 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Vulcan).
As part of Columbus’ overall response to the Smart City Challenge, efforts were focused on a system that will provide Travelers with a single, common platform that integrates with the Multimodal Trip Planner Application (MMTPA), known as the Common Payment System (CPS). The benefits of providing travelers with a centralized, account-based payment system, are increased convenience and customer satisfaction, as well as improved access to mobility options through integration with transportation providers. Travelers will be able to fund accounts using a variety of payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and cash via pre-paid debit cards or COTA Smartcards. Users will be able to reload CPS accounts via COTA’s ticket vending machines and point of sale retailers.
To that end, the PMO solicited Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the Smart Columbus - Common Payment System project, which was advertised on
and City of Columbus websites from December 10, 2018 to January 17, 2019. The PMO received five (5) responses. Of th...
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