Title
Issue Request for Proposals for Paratransit Services (Phoenix Dial-a-Ride)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Request for Proposals for Paratransit Services (Phoenix Dial-a-Ride).
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix provides shared-ride Dial-a-Ride service for individuals who, because of a disability, cannot access or navigate local bus or light rail services. This origin-to-destination service is mandated by the federal government as required with the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Commonly known as "paratransit service,” Phoenix Dial-a-Ride acts as a safety net for individuals with disabilities and affords them the same level of transit service as other passengers, operating during the same hours and covering the same areas as bus and light rail services. While the ADA requires the provision of paratransit services only within a three-quarter mile buffer around local bus routes and light rail stations, Phoenix Dial-a-Ride operates within the entirety of Phoenix's incorporated city limits south of Jomax Road.
In May 2016 the Phoenix City Council approved an agreement for the operation of Phoenix Dial-a-Ride Services. The current agreement expires June 30, 2022 and a new agreement is needed to ensure the continuity of this federally mandated service. Once the solicitation process is complete, staff will return to City Council for approval to enter into an agreement with the successful proposer.
Procurement Information
The Request for Proposals (RFP) will contain evaluation criteria and processes, as well as a transparency in lobbying clause. The RFP evaluation criteria will include the following:
- Cost - 0-400 points;
- Qualifications, experience and past performance - 0-250 points;
- Method of approach and transition plan - 0-200 points; and
- Proposed organizational structure and personnel - 0-150 points.
A tentative procurement schedule is shown below:
- October 2021 - RFP released.
- October 2021 - Proposals due.
- November 2021 - Panel evaluations.
- November 2021 - Best and final offers due.
- January 2022 - Award recommendation.
- July 1, 2022 - Agreement start date.
The resulting agreement term will be a five-year period, with one, two-year option to extend. The two-year extension option will be exercised only if it is in the City’s best interest to do so and the proposed contractor has performed satisfactorily during the five-year base period. The agreement is expected to commence on July 1, 2022.
Financial Impact
The current agreement has an estimated value of $99,812,000 and will be funded through regional Public Transportation funds.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.