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6.
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| Special BCC Meeting |
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| Information |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning Mass Transit Contract Awards - Paul R. Nobles, Senior Purchasing Coordinator, Office of Purchasing
That the Board take the following action concerning the Mass Transit Contracts:
A. Review the Mass Transit Fixed Route Service In-House Presentation and either:
- Approve assuming the entire Fixed Route Service (ECAT) as a County In-House function by October 1, 2017; or
- Reject the In-House request and approve the negotiated Agreement between Escambia County, Florida, and First Transit, LLC, per the terms and conditions of PD 16-17.039, Re-Solicit ECAT Management Contract;
B. Review the Mass Transit Paratransit Services (ECCT) In-House Presentation and either:
- Approve assuming the entire Paratransit Service (ECCT) as a County In-House function by July 1, 2017; or
- Reject the In-House request and approve the negotiated proposal Agreement between Escambia County, Florida, and First Transit, LLC, per the terms and conditions of PD 16-17.040, Re-Solicit Operator for Paratransit Services; or
- Direct Staff to begin the formal transfer of the ECCT Service (less ADA service) back to the State of Florida Transportation Disadvantaged Commission, which the County would relinquish the responsibilities as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) by June 30, 2017.
[Budgetary Impact:
This will vary based upon the Board's decision.
The FY18 Proposed Mass Transit Budget, presuming First Transit is selected to operate/manage ECAT and ECCT, is balanced by utilizing Capital (Bus Replacement) funds to cover Operating Expenses. This is a short-term fix that may need to be addressed in future Fiscal Years based upon the Board's decision.] |
| BACKGROUND: |
In 2012 the County entered into a 3-year (with 1- 2 year extension) contract with First Transit (FT) to manage ECAT. During this time the Paratransit Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) and the operator was Pensacola Bay (BP). Due to much dissatisfaction with PB operation and the large number of complaints that the County received even though the County was not responsible. The service was discontinued with PB, and the county in 2014 entered into a 3-year (with 2 – 1 year extensions) contract with First Transit to manage the Paratransit Operation, later know as Escambia County Community Transportation.
Throughout the operation, there were concerns with the way that FT was operating the system. Direction was given to submit through Purchasing two Requests for Proposals (RFP); 1 for Fixed Route and 1 for Paratransit. On May 15th the County opened it is second set round of bid’s since the first were compromised due to the brief amount of time staff had to put together, specifically the discrepancies with the RFP package.
The Bids can be found as backup to this recommendation as well as excerpts within the In-House presentation. Direction was also given to consider what the cost would be to bring ECAT and ECCT In-House. Presentation slides are attached to explain the what the impact would be to bring all of the transit services in-house.
One final option to consider is the County relinquishing the responsibility of the CTC back to the State. The State would, within 30 days and through an emergency hire process, bring on a new vendor to function as the CTC and that vendor would either provide the service as well or hire a provider. The Union contract “follows” the CTC and therefore the approx 35 current drivers would have first right of refusal for the new positions with the new provider, however those not in a driving position could lose their job.
It was also found that, throughout the state of Florida, there are 21 counties that function as the CTC for their area with 46 counties allowing the State to contract with a vendor to function as CTC and potentially the provider. Of the 47, 7 of the counties have a transit authority.
If the Board selects to hire First Transit for the ECAT and ECCT service the County would need to allocate the funding for both the ECAT and ECCT services.
Requests for Proposals for PD 16-17.039, Re-Solicit ECAT Management Contract and PD 16-17.040, Re-Solicit for Paratransit Services were both publicly noticed on Friday, March 31, 2017 to seven known firms. Responses were received from:
One firm for PD 16-17.039, Re-Solicit ECAT Management Contract; and
Three firms for PD 16-17.040, Re-Solicit for Paratransit Services on Monday, May 1, 2017.
The Selection/Negotiation Committee met on Friday, May 5, 2017 to review and select the recommended firm. Negotiations were held on Monday, May 22, 2017. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
This will vary based upon the Board's decision.
FY18 Proposed Mass Transit budget, presuming First Transit is selected to operate / manage ECAT and ECCT, is balanced by utilizing Capital (Bus Replacement) funds to cover Operating Expenses. This is a short term fix that may need to be addressed in future Fiscal Years based upon the Board's decision. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
If the Board approves to hire First Transit for the ECAT and ECCT service, agreement will be prepared by County Attorney.
If the Board decides to bring ECAT and ECCT in-House and presuming the Labor Union Negotiations are successful no contract is required.
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| PERSONNEL: |
| All work associated with this recommendation was done in-house and no additional staff was required. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| This recommendation is in compliance with the Code of Ordinances of Escambia County, FL 1999, Chapter 46, Finance, Article II Purchases and Contracts. |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| If required, the Office of Purchasing will issue the Agreement prepared by the County Attorney's Office and associated Purchase Orders. |
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