Title
Bid Award - Paratransit Related Services for ADA Paratransit Passengers (B)
This item involves a request for the City Commission to authorize the bid award to Transitional Living of North Central Florida doing business as Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CIL-NCF) for Paratransit Related Services including ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Eligibility/Certification of persons with disabilities, Travel Training said individuals, and Sensitivity Training for Regional Transit System (RTS) staff in the amount of $73,200.
Explanation
On June 14, 2007 the City Purchasing Division solicited proposals (Request for Proposals #RTSX060366-PJ) for Paratransit Related Services including the certification or re-certification of ADA eligibility applicants, ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determination, ADA Field Certifications, Travel Training and Sensitivity Training for RTS bus operators and supervisory staff. On July 18, 2007 Purchasing received one proposal. RTS Staff negotiated a contract for services with Transitional Living of North Central Florida doing business as Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CIL-NCF).
RTS is requesting the approval to establish a contract with the CIL-NCF for a three-year period, beginning October 1, 2007, with two one year extensions, subject to funding and written consent of both parties. CIL-NCF will provide services as described in RFP #RTSX060366-PJ. The services will be provided for a flat fee of $6,100.00 per month. Federal law prohibits capacity constraints on certification of ADA eligible individuals. This requirement made budgeting for these necessary services very difficult. Previous monthly billing for these services fluctuated, but continued to increase with several months exceeding $7000.00. By locking in a fixed rate the City will have more control of the costs while still providing the federally mandated services for the disabled community. CIL-NCF benefits by having a guaranteed funding source to continue its programs which aid the disabled community and reduce work load of having to track and account for the individual services provided.
Fiscal Note
Funding for this contract in the amount of $73,200 is available in the RTS FY08 operating budget.
Recommendation
Recommended Motion: The City Commission: 1) authorize the bid award to Transitional Living of North Central Florida doing business as Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida for the Paratransit Related Services as outlined in RFP #RTSX060366-PJ; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and issue a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $73,200.
Alternative Recommendation: The City Commission deny authorization for the City Manager to execute the contract with the Transitional Living of North Central Florida doing business as Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida for the Paratransit Related Services as outlined in RFP #RTSX060366-PJ and direct the City Manager to issue a new RFP for said services. The resulting impact is that the City of Gainesville would be without a contract to provide federally mandated services thus requiring the services to be provided by RTS adding significantly more administrative cost. Not providing the required services would put RTS in violation of Federal ADA requirements and jeopardize Federal funding for the fixed route and paratransit services.