Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JULY 17, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: GRAFFITI ABATEMENT SERVICES
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACTS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a firm fixed unit rate Contract No. OP91160(3)001R1 for Region 1 to Strive Well-Being, Inc. to provide graffiti abatement services in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $2,683,930 for the three-year base period, and $1,991,400 for the one, two-year option term, for a combined NTE amount of $4,675,330, effective October 1, 2025, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any;
B. AWARD a firm fixed unit rate Contract No. OP91160(3)002R2 for Region 2 to BriteWorks, Inc. to provide graffiti abatement services in the NTE amount of $3,436,171 for the three-year base period, and $2,458,952 for the one, two-year option term, for a combined NTE amount of $5,895,123, effective October 1, 2025, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
C. AWARD a firm fixed unit rate Contract No. OP91160(3)003R3 for Region 3 to Urban Graffiti Enterprises, Inc. to provide graffiti abatement services in the NTE amount of $5,002,335 for the three-year base period, and $3,334,890 for the one, two-year option term, for a combined NTE amount of $8,337,225, effective October 1, 2025, subject to the resolution of properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The existing regional contracts providing graffiti abatement services expire on September 30, 2025. The three new contract awards are required to ensure continuity of maintenance services, effective October 1, 2025. Under these new contracts, graffiti abatement services will be performed throughout Metro’s service area, restructured and split geographically into three regions, as shown within Attachment C.
Background
BACKGROUND
On December 18, 2024, a new solicitation to provide graffiti abatement maintenance services for the three regions was issued under the SBE Set Aside Program. On February 5, 2025, 21 proposals were received for regions 1, 2, and 3 combined; however, only five proposals for each region were deemed responsive to the SBE Set Aside Program requirements.
Regular graffiti abatement services are essential for Metro facilities to maintain a safe, clean, and pleasant environment for our patrons. Approximately 4,000 graffiti tags are removed monthly from Metro facilities, Rights-Of-Way (ROWs), parking lots, and parcel properties. This service will continue our long-standing practice of zero tolerance for graffiti systemwide, enhance customer experience, and improve Metro facilities’ overall conditions.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Under these new graffiti abatement maintenance services contracts, the contractors are required to perform daily inspections throughout Metro’s system. All accessible graffiti observed by the contractor must be removed immediately within the same day. All reported accessible graffiti must be removed within 48 hours, and reported non-accessible graffiti must be removed expeditiously upon securing approved track allocation and support. Graffiti will be removed using chemical removal agents, a rag, pressurized hot water, and paint-out methods.
Under the terms of these new contracts, the number of bus and rail stations, facilities, and locations will increase from 533 to 552, including 19 additional locations for the D line (Purple) Westside Extensions, and A Line (Blue) Foothill Extension Phase 2B system expansion projects as they become operational.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The approval of this item will ensure service continuity and meet Metro maintenance standards by promptly providing regularly scheduled and as-needed graffiti abatement maintenance services. A proactive approach to maintenance needs will ensure the delivery of safe, clean, on-time, and reliable services systemwide.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding of $3,755,013 for systemwide graffiti abatement maintenance services is included in the FY26 budget under cost center 8370 - Facilities Contracted Maintenance Services, account 50308, Service Contract Maintenance, under various projects.
Since these are multi-year contracts, the cost center manager and Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Shared Mobility, will be accountable for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action includes operating eligible funds, including Passenger Fares, Propositions A and C, Measures R and M sales tax revenues, State Transit Assistance (STA), and the Transportation Development Act. These funding sources are eligible for bus and rail operations. Given approved guidelines and provisions, using these funding sources leverages maximum project fund use.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Providing ongoing graffiti abatement maintenance services supports the beautification and cleanliness of Metro facilities, enhancing patrons' experience while utilizing Metro’s transit system. Survey results have shown that bus and rail station cleanliness was identified as one of the top areas of concern and was used to assist with funds allocation for the FY26 budget.
As part of this solicitation, Metro hosted two Systemwide Metro Connect Industry Forum Outreach events on August 23 and August 31, 2023, to provide an overview of the Small Business Programs requirements for competitively negotiated procurements.
This procurement was solicited under the Small Business (SB) Prime (Set-Aside) program. Strive Well-Being Inc., an SB Prime, made a 30% SBE commitment for Region 1, BriteWorks, Inc., an SB Prime, made a 66.03% commitment for Region 2, and Urban Graffiti Enterprises, Inc., an SB Prime, made a 100% SBE commitment for Region 3.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through these maintenance activities that will improve bus and rail station cleanliness and further encourage transit ridership. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The staff recommendation supports Strategic Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system. Performing ongoing graffiti abatement maintenance services will ensure providing safe and clean conditions while enhancing customers’ experience.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may elect not to approve the recommendations. This option is not recommended as it would result in a gap in service that would impact Metro’s system safety, cleanliness, operation, and customer experience.
After completing a financial-based insourcing/outsourcing study based on a quantitative and qualitative assessment, staff has conducted an initial analysis of insourcing/outsourcing options for graffiti abatement services, among other services. Based on the findings, graffiti abatement services may be considered for insourcing. Approving this recommendation for a contract award will allow staff the time during the three-year base contract term to take the necessary steps for the planning, acquisition of equipment and materials, allocation of resources, training, and implementation to bring graffiti abatement services in-house.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval by the Board, staff will execute Contract No. OP91160(3)001R1 for Region 1 with Strive Well-Being, Inc., Contract No. OP91160(3)002R2 for Region 2 with BriteWorks, Inc., and Contract No. OP91160(3)003R3 with Urban Graffiti Enterprises, Inc., for Region 3, to provide graffiti abatement services, effective October 1, 2025.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Attachment C - Three Regions’ Maps
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Ruben Cardenas Jr., Senior Director, Facilities Contracted Maintenance Services, (213) 922-5932
Lena Babayan, Executive Officer, Operations Administration, (213) 922-6765
Shahrzad Amiri, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Shared Mobility, (213) 922-3061
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, Transit Operations,
(213) 418-3034
