Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around L.A. We’re building more transit options with improved quality and service. The Office of Strategic Innovation (OSI) focuses on identifying innovative solutions in the marketplace that help to further Metro’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Through Unsolicited Proposals and Public-Private Partnerships, OSI facilitates collaboration that drives performance and enhances the delivery of public services.

Current Opportunities 

The San-Pedro-Long Beach Water Taxi Request for Information is Now Live

Metro is exploring opportunities to deploy a water taxi service between San Pedro and Long Beach during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (“2028 Games”). To understand vendor interest and capabilities in providing this service, Metro has released a formal Request for Information here: Metro Water Taxi RFI   

All interested parties are invited to review and respond to Metro’s RFI. Responses are due by 5:00pm Pacific Time on Monday, May 4, 2026. Select respondents may be asked to provide a formal presentation to Metro staff and technical experts. If selected, presentations are scheduled to take place between May 11 and May 15, 2026 (in-person and virtual options available).  

Want to learn more about this opportunity and talk with Metro staff? Attend Metro’s Virtual Information Session at 10am on Thursday April 16th. Register in advance for this meeting.

Any information received through this inquiry may be incorporated into an eventual Request for Proposals, at Metro’s discretion.   

Submit any questions via e-mail to innovation@metro.net with subject line: Metro Water Taxi RFI Questions – [INSERT COMPANY NAME]. Each RFI Respondent is limited to ten (10) questions. 

To hear more about this exciting opportunity, watch this short video with Metro Board Director Janice Hahn.

Unsolicited Proposals

The standard approach to developing projects at public agencies is largely internal; the agency identifies a need, develops a project, and seeks a contractor to carry out the scope of work. The Unsolicited Proposals Policy presents an opportunity for external (and internal) parties to propose projects for consideration, creating space for conversations around alternative approaches and solutions. Proposals can introduce new ideas, innovative approaches to ongoing challenges, and alternative technical concepts and financing tools for proposed projects.

Unsolicited Proposals have influenced numerous Metro projects since 2016, including the following:

• Metro Micro
• Throne Smart Restroom Pilot
• Sepulveda Transit Corridor Predevelopment Agreement (PDA) project delivery
• Camera Bus Lane Enforcement
• Vehicle to Infrastructure Technology
• Travel Rewards Research Pilot
• Navilens wayfinding for the visually impaired

Learn about successful projects by reading the 2019 Innovation Portfolio. A five-year self-assessment of the Unsolicited Proposals Policy is available here.

Submit Your Proposal

Have an idea to share that will help Metro better deliver its mission, projects, and services? Consider submitting an Unsolicited Proposal!

We encourage interested parties to take the following steps:

• Read the Unsolicited Proposals Policy to learn about submission guidelines and the proposal review process
• If you have questions about how your ideas align with Metro’s needs, e-mail innovation@metro.net to schedule a pre-proposal briefing with the Unsolicited Proposals team
• Submit your proposal to unsolicitedproposals@metro.net

Interested parties should be familiar with Metro’s goals, values, and priorities prior to submitting a proposal. Strong proposals have a clear connection to one or more of the following:

• Metro’s Vision 2028 Plan
• Measure R and Measure M Expenditure Plans
• Metro’s Equity Platform and Sustainability policies
• Metro’s Mobility Concept Plan (if submitting before July 2028)

Public-Private Partnerships

Metro’s Public-Private Partnerships (P3) team collaborates with all Metro departments to evaluate and develop major capital projects that have the potential to benefit from alternative delivery approaches. These benefits may include:

• Assignment of risks to the party best able to manage them
• Cost certainty
• Mechanisms to incentivize or drive performance
• Schedule certainty
• Lifecycle cost reductions

Since 2016, OSI has screened numerous capital projects for potential P3 delivery, many of which received submissions through the Unsolicited Proposals Policy. Metro continues to evaluate whether its large capital projects are fit for delivery through public-private partnerships and is open to assessing other opportunities. You can learn more about Metro’s efforts related to P3s here.

Joint Development

Metro’s Countywide Planning team also accepts Unsolicited Proposals for joint development opportunities incorporating Metro-owned land. Proposals should be submitted by e-mail well in advance of the proposer’s expected commencement of the project to allow Metro enough time to evaluate the proposal. Proposers should anticipate at least six months before any negotiation can begin. Review Metro’s Joint Development Policy and Housing Projects and Progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Review the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about Metro’s Unsolicited Proposals Policy, submittal process, success factors, and proposal outcomes.

Documents

Review before submitting:

• Unsolicited Proposals Policy
• Exhibit C: Concept Review Proposal Form (required for submittal)
• Unsolicited Proposals Review Process Flowchart

Contact Us

E-mail Unsolicited Proposals to unsolicitedproposals@metro.net.

Questions, input, or feedback? E-mail innovation@metro.net.