Common use of Key Initiatives Clause in Contracts

Key Initiatives. In addition to core programs, the agency focuses on several “Key Initiatives” each year. Key Initiatives can be one‐time projects, time‐critical tasks, program redesigns, or projects that require special funding. In some cases, Key Initiatives can span multiple years, but they can also be projects completed in a single year. Key Initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year include: • Community Partner Grant Program • Countywide Bicycle Education Program • App Development Project • Agency Accreditation Project In 2023, the agency conducted outreach to priority audiences that have been less represented in our programs and have developed a pilot grant program to improve engagement with those audiences. The objective of this pilot grant program is to increase participation and input from communities currently underrepresented in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s programs. Through this grant program, we hope to see sustained engagement with Community Partners that represent and serve these communities, thereby increasing awareness and use of our programs and services, and transportation options throughout San Mateo County. Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to three organizations in San Mateo County for activities to be completed within one year, starting July 1, 2024. Grant recipients will be asked to: • Promote ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s programs and services to their community • Help enroll their constituents in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ programs • Collaborate with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ on the development and refinement of programs and services that best meet the needs of the community A formal Call for Proposals was conducted in March. The evaluation panel recommended funding the following proposals and the Board approved the recommended grantees on April 18, 2024: • El ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ of San Mateo County • Climate Resilient Communities • Friends for Youth ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will work with the three grantees throughout FY 2025 to disseminate information about ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s programs and services through the organizations’ communication channels and in‐person events. In Spring 2025, we will evaluate the program and consider changes to improve upon the program for the following fiscal year.

Key Initiatives. In addition to core programs, the agency focuses on several “Key Initiatives” each year. Key Initiatives can be one‐time one-time projects, time‐critical time-critical tasks, program redesigns, or projects that require special funding. In some cases, Key Initiatives can span multiple years, but they can also be projects completed in a single year. Key Initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year include: • Community Partner Grant Program • Countywide Bicycle Education Vanpool Subsidy Program • App Development Project • Agency Accreditation Project AI Initiative In 2023, the agency conducted outreach to priority audiences that have been less represented in our programs and have in 2024, developed a pilot grant program to improve engagement with those audiences. The objective of this pilot grant program is to increase participation and input from communities currently underrepresented in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s programs. Through this grant program, we hope to see sustained engagement with Community Partners that represent and serve these communities, thereby increasing awareness and use of our programs and services, and transportation options throughout San Mateo County. Grants of $5,000 will be were awarded to three organizations working in San Mateo County for activities to be completed within one year, starting July 1, 2024. : • El ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ of San Mateo County • Climate Resilient Communities • Friends for Youth Grant recipients will be are asked to: • Promote ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s programs and services to their community • Help enroll their constituents in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ programs • Collaborate with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ on the development and refinement of programs and services that best meet the needs of the community A formal Call for Proposals was conducted in March. The evaluation panel recommended funding the following proposals and the Board approved the recommended grantees on April 18, 2024: • El ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ Board approved the extension of San Mateo County • Climate Resilient Communities • Friends the current pilot program for Youth FY 2026. This will give the current grantees the opportunity to participate in the pilot for a second year with an increased annual grant amount of $7,500. This will also allow staff more time to improve data collection, refine our communication approach, and gather additional data to inform a future program for the following years while maintaining the groundwork that we have achieved with these three grantees. In early 2026, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will work process quantitative and qualitative results from the program to propose an updated iteration and new call for projects for FY 2027. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will explore and pursue funding opportunities to launch a dedicated vanpool subsidy program for San Mateo County commuters. The proposed initiative is modeled after successful programs in Santa Clara, Marin, and Contra Costa counties, which offer up to $500 per month to qualified vanpools in addition to the existing MTC Bay Area Vanpool Program subsidy. The goal is to establish a sustainable, county-supported vanpool subsidy program to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel, lower commuter costs, and alleviate congestion on key corridors like Highway 101 and regional bridges. A vanpool is a group of 7 to 15 commuters who regularly travel together in a shared vehicle, driven by one of the riders. Vanpooling is a cost-effective, environmentally responsible alternative to driving alone, especially for long-distance commuters. Key actions include: • Identify and apply for grant funding through local sources to support a long-term vanpool subsidy program. • Coordinate with MTC and regional partners to align San Mateo County’s program with the three grantees throughout existing Bay Area Vanpool Program structure and eligibility criteria. • Develop and launch a pilot subsidy program offering up to $500/month for qualifying vanpools that start or end in San Mateo County. • Conduct targeted outreach to large employers, business parks, and underserved commute corridors to recruit vanpool groups and promote the subsidy. • Integrate vanpool support into CommuteStar, allowing for streamlined subsidy application, trip tracking, and ongoing communication with participants. • Evaluate program performance by tracking vanpool formation, cost savings, participant feedback, vehicle miles reduced, and greenhouse gas emissions avoided. As the cost of commuting continues to rise and congestion worsens on critical corridors, expanding access to vanpooling offers a high-impact, scalable solution. By enabling more commuters to join shared rides, the program would reduce the number of vehicles on the road, support regional climate goals, and improve the quality of life for workers traveling to and from San Mateo County. In FY 2025 2026, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will launch a strategic initiative to disseminate information about enhance customer service through the integration of advanced AI tools, benefiting employers, commuters, and shuttle riders across San Mateo County. The effort will begin with a comprehensive needs analysis to identify service gaps, recurring inquiries, and communication pain points. This analysis will involve collecting feedback from partner employers, surveying program participants, and evaluating support interactions across existing platforms. The goal is to pinpoint areas where AI-powered solutions can provide faster, more accurate, and more accessible support to all users. Following the needs assessment, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will collaborate with technology partners and internal stakeholders to design AI tools tailored to each audience segment. For employers, AI systems may streamline onboarding processes for commute programs, answer frequently asked HR and benefits questions, and provide data-driven recommendations on employee engagement strategies. For commuters and shuttle riders, AI tools will be developed to offer real-time assistance on topics such as route planning, shuttle schedules, incentive eligibility, and troubleshooting transit issues. These systems will be designed with multilingual support and accessibility in mind to ensure equitable service delivery. Throughout the year, the agency will conduct iterative development and testing of these tools, focusing on training AI agents using ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s knowledge base, customer interaction histories, and public transit data. Pilot programs will be deployed in controlled environments to assess performance, gather user feedback, and services through refine responses for clarity and effectiveness. AI agents will be built with a strong emphasis on maintaining privacy, accuracy, and alignment with the organizations’ communication channels agency’s mission to support sustainable commuting options. By the end of FY 2026, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ plans to deploy AI agents across key digital touchpoints, including its website, social media channels, and in‐person eventspotentially within the CommuteStar app. In Spring 2025These agents will provide 24/7 customer service, we enabling users to receive immediate answers and support without relying solely on staff availability. The integration of AI into ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇’s customer service strategy will evaluate the program not only increase operational efficiency but also enhance user experience, ensuring that commuters and consider changes to improve upon the program for the following fiscal yearemployers receive timely, personalized, and reliable information whenever they need it.