Transportation Management Center Concepts of Operations

• Consulting The TMC may find that it needs a general assistance consultant.Such a consultant can assist in:– Process and product evaluation and improvement– Preparation of requests for proposals and evaluation of proposals– Outreach– System support– Configuration management– System integration and testing– Training and document support– Coordination of system expansion with ongoing operationsWhile this is not an exhaustive list of functions which can be performed by aTMC consultant, it is a fairly broad range of examples.• Installation The TMC may retain a contractor to assist in installation of newor replacement equipment. The contractor may perform various installationsunder a single contract, or each implementation may be contractedseparately. Similarly, the TMC may retain a single installation contractor, ormay retain multiple contractors based upon specific skill areas(communications, electrical, carpentry and indoor finishing, heating/ventilation/air conditioning).• Inspection A very commonly contracted service for TMCs whose systems areexpanding is inspection. Inspection here is defined very broadly, including“inspection” of computer software development, which would be defined as“independent validation and verification” in other industries. Contracting ofinspection allows the agency to call upon specialized skills, potentially forlimited periods, which are otherwise unavailable within the agency. It alsoallows the agency to significantly decrease its risk of accepting defectivesystems, even in areas of unusual specialties, and reinforces the agency’sposition in situations which may lead to claims by the installer.• Testing Testing is a less common but highly contractable service for TMCs.The science of testing is relatively complex, and can be both tedious and timeconsuming. Testing (including final acceptance testing) is the last opportunityduring which the agency has significant leverage on the contractor(s) to makedesired/required changes to the system. Retention of a contractor to ensureeffective and exhaustive testing is a relatively economical option available tothe TMC owner agency.Procurement Selection ProcessesThere are a variety of methods for selecting an operations and/or maintenancecontractor for a TMC. Multiple methods may be required because of thedifferent types of skills required, based on the concept of operations.Traditionally, lower levels of skill have been solicited based upon price, whereasgreater technical capability is acquired based upon the extent of experience andexpertise. Some agencies have identified procurement methods which allow4-64