Program Manager

Position Summary

Volanno is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead our technical consulting engagement for the modernization of the ACE Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) including digital signage and station signage/wayfinding across all ten ACE stations between Stockton and San Jose Diridon. The successful candidate will serve as Volannos single point of contact with the SJRRC Project Manager and lead all eight Scope of Services tasks

About the Program

ACE is a commuter rail service operated by SJRRC that links Californias Central Valley with the Silicon Valley serving approximately 1.4 million passengers annually across 10 stations. SJRRC is modernizing the PIDS to deliver real-time arrival information service alerts multilingual messaging branded content and Public Address supported by SJRRC-supplied networking equipment and aligned with the SJRRC Signage and Wayfinding Manual. This advisory and technical consulting role does not include installation or construction and the consultant does not conduct training.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Volannos lead Project Manager and primary point of contact with SJRRCs PM throughout the contract; SJRRC PM retains final approval authority on all decisions.
• Manage project scope budget and schedule across all eight tasks of the Scope of Services and ensure on-time delivery within the 36-month period of performance.
• Network Infrastructure Design develop conceptual network alternatives and requirements (bandwidth latency redundancy security protocols GTFS integration). Note that SJRRC will supply ALL networking equipment for the PIDS/Digital Signage system network the consultant is not procuring network hardware.
• Oversee ADA & Regulatory Compliance produce the ADA Compliance Requirements Matrix covering visual displays AND Public Address audio identify FTA/DOT/FRA/Buy America mandates and draft the Compliance Testing Protocol.
• Lead single combined RFP/IFB Development draft technical specifications SOW instructions to proposers contract terms with required federal/state clauses and evaluation criteria. Facilitate at least three review meetings with SJRRC staff.
• Lead Signage & Wayfinding Planning apply the SJRRC Signage and Wayfinding Manual to all 10 stations. Produce existing-conditions assessment technical standards placement guidelines and order-of-magnitude cost/phasing strategy. Reference the MTC Regional Wayfinding Project where applicable.
• Deliverables shall be procurement-ready not final design or construction-level documents.
• Participate on the SJRRC Evaluation Panel pre-proposal meeting support response to scope questions evaluation review and Board presentation of the staff report for the top-ranked contractor.
• Manage Consultant Review and Project Implementation review contractor product lead proof-of-concept demonstrations monitor budget/invoicing/contract performance and conduct periodic on-site visits at ACE stations to review implementation progress.
• Verify vendor training meets SJRRCs needs through requirements and design review and confirm completeness of training manuals.
• Execute Project Handover and Closeout finalize Volanno invoices vendor contract closeout and deliver records to SJRRC for retention.
• Maintain weekly cadence with the SJRRC PM after the initial 180-day milestone period and provide regular written status updates.
• Monitor federal funding compliance throughout DOT/FTA Clauses Buy America EEO Certification Lobbying Restrictions and Debarment/Suspension certifications
• Manage any Volanno subconsultants under the contract per Attachment B requirements and the SJRRC Sample Agreement.
• Honor Volannos firm-level restriction from proposing on the resulting PIDS procurement RFP/IFB; the restriction does not extend to other unrelated SJRRC/SJJPA solicitations.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of project management experience leading public transit commuter rail or transportation technology modernization programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing federally-compliant RFPs and/or IFBs (DOT FTA FRA clauses; Buy America; EEO; lobbying and debarment certifications).
• In-depth working knowledge of ADA compliance requirements as they apply to passenger communication systems visual displays (font size color contrast refresh rates) Public Address audio and audible features (text-to-speech speaker placement) and tactile/Braille signage.
• Experience specifying PIDS digital signage real-time passenger information or comparable display systems in a public transit environment.
• Experience specifying communications/IT network architecture (wired wireless fiber backbone redundancy) at a procurement-ready level for distributed station deployments.
• Experience applying agency-furnished signage and wayfinding standards manuals to multi-station deployments (the SJRRC Manual will not be released until award).
• Strong stakeholder-interview and discovery skills comfortable building requirements from scratch where as-builts and documentation are limited or proprietary.
• Strong written communication skills suitable for technical specifications SOWs governance memoranda and SJRRC Board presentations.
• Bachelors degree in engineering transportation planning IT architecture or related field preferred; equivalent professional experience considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP AICP RA or PE certification.
• Prior engagements with California transit agencies (SJRRC Caltrain BART LA Metro Sacramento RT SMART) or interagency rail corridors.
• Familiarity with FTA Circulars the Caltrain/Union Pacific operating environment and applying agency signage/wayfinding manuals to station programs.
• Awareness of the MTC Regional Wayfinding Project and ability to reference it as a parallel program (this engagement is independent of MTCs harmonization work).
• Working knowledge of GTFS GTFS-RT and real-time train arrival data feeds and message-broker integration.
• Experience evaluating CalPIDS or comparable statewide passenger information display platforms.
• Background coordinating with Union Pacific Railroad or the Caltrain Joint Powers Board on right-of-way or shared-station projects.
• Experience overseeing acceptance testing contractor site inspections warranty management and vendor training reviews.
• Familiarity with digital advertising display monetization and shared advertising/branded content workflows.

Tools & Methods

• Microsoft Project Primavera P6 or Smartsheet for scheduling.
• Microsoft 365 (Word Excel PowerPoint Teams) and SharePoint for collaboration and deliverables.
• Bluebeam AutoCAD or similar for reviewing station/architectural drawings.
• PlanetBids vendor portal familiarity (used by SJRRC for procurement administration).

Performance Expectations

• A single combined approved RFP (covering PIDS Signage/Wayfinding) ready for release within 180 days of NTP per the RFP milestone schedule.
• Tasks deliverables submitted on the monthly cadence specified in Section 5(D) of the RFP.
• All deliverables federally compliant procurement-ready (not construction-level) and suitable for release with minimal SJRRC administrative additions.
• Periodic on-site visits to ACE stations during implementation to validate progress.
• Zero conflict-of-interest violations and full disclosure under the SJRRC Conflict-of-Interest Mitigation requirements.

Company Profile

Volanno is a certified woman-owned small business headquartered in Washington DC. As an IT solution provider our services include software development data analytics and technology implementation. From scoping and defining to implementation and support we are ready to support our clients needs at any stage of development in designing and building solutions that prepare them for the future.

Volanno is an equal opportunity employer. Volanno will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability or protected veteran status