THE AGENCY
Pierce Transit is a Washington State municipal corporation organized under RCW36-57A, Public Transportation Benefit Areas with 1,000 employees and is responsible for providing public transit and specialized (SHUTTLE) paratransit transportation service in Tacoma and specified areas throughout Pierce County. The Agency’s administrative offices are located at 3701 96th Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-4431. Mailing address is PO Box 99070, Lakewood, WA 98496-0070.

BACKGROUND
Pierce Transit provides SHUTTLE service for individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize the agency's fixed route service. We continuously review SHUTTLE eligibility of current riders and new applicants to ensure only qualified passengers use the service, since the service is very costly to provide. For applicants who have been denied eligibility or who believe they deserve a higher level of service, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated appeal process is available. Pierce Transit therefore requires the services of a medical professional to serve as a decision maker on the appeal panel and make eligibility decisions in accordance with ADA guidelines.

SCOPE OF WORK
Pierce Transit requests proposals to provide services in accordance with the following scope of work. The project requires completion of up to four (4) monthly appeal hearing sessions ranging from one hour to four hours per session. These sessions will be conducted at Pierce Transit or a location determined by Pierce Transit. Pierce Transit will schedule the hearings and coordinate scheduling the appellants.

Pierce Transit requires the services of a professional medical/rehabilitation provider (physician preferred) to conduct ADA appeal hearings in accordance with ADA paratransit eligibility and Agency criteria. The desirable applicant shall possess expertise in the assessment of a wide variety of disabilities and orthopedic conditions and accompanying functional physical limitations. The primary responsibility of this position is to conduct hearings, review and evaluate application and accompanying medical information, and make a determination about appellant eligibility for SHUTTLE service based on ADA criteria.

Of particular importance is the ability to make determinations about eligibility based on functional ability to board, disembark, travel by bus, and access transit centers in accordance with ADA criteria. Experience providing evaluations within regulatory parameters for state or federal entities is preferred. Familiarity with a wide range of disabilities and medical conditions and their impact on functional capabilities is required. Pierce Transit will provide all the necessary background and consultation on ADA mandates.

• Conduct appeal hearings as a member of a panel and jointly make paratransit eligibility determinations in accordance with ADA standards and agency policy.
• Follow legal parameters regarding administrative appeal hearings.
• Request and procure any necessary background information from other sources when required.
• Review and interpret relevance of application and supplemental information provided.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with applicable laws and agency policy.
• Interpret results of diagnostic tests and make a determination of eligibility based on ADA standards.
• Provide a brief written summary of individual hearing results to Pierce Transit, including an eligibility determination with rationale backed by your findings.
• Give the individual an opportunity to discuss results, at least by phone. Pierce Transit provides written notification of applicant appeal results.
• Testify in court or in other legal proceedings as required, providing own legal counsel. Pierce Transit will provide a copy of all pertinent applicant records to the Contractor in the event of a legal proceeding.
• Consult with Pierce Transit or other professional providers in advance of assessment, as needed, to fulfill the obligation of this contract. Ex parte communications are strictly prohibited. Receiving information in advance of an assessment or hearing allows discussion by all parties during the process.
• Appointments cancelled three (3) working days prior to the scheduled time shall be considered adequate notice for cancellation of appointment and will not incur cancellation fees.
• Complete all aspects of evaluation and determination within thirty (30) days of receipt of referral.
• Consult with Pierce Transit or other professional providers as needed to fulfill the obligation of this contract.

TERM OF CONTRACT
The contract resulting from this request for proposals shall be for a three (3) year period with options to renew for two (2) additional one- year terms.