Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: METRO FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATIONS
Title
A. EXECUTING contract modifications to 16 existing Freeway Service Patrol contracts as delineated in Attachment B, in an amount not to exceed $7,696,000, and authorize reallocation of funds to meet unanticipated operational issues.
• Beat No. 3, Navarro’s Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-3, for $475,000 for 8 months
• Beat No. 5, Neighborhood Towing 4 U, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-5, for $450,000 for 8 months
• Beat No. 6, Mighty Transport, Inc. dba Frank Scotto Towing, Contract No., FSP-12-6, for $420,000 for 8 months
• Beat No. 7, South Coast Towing, Contract No. FSP12-7, for $335,000, for 5 months,
• Beat No. 9, Classic Two, Inc. dba Tip Top Tow, Contract No. FSP12-9, for $486,000, for 8 months
• Beat No. 11, J&M Towing, Contract No. FSP12-11, for $270,000, for 5 months
• Beat No. 17, Sonic Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-17 for $495,000 for 9 months
• Beat No. 23, Navarro’s Towing, Contract No. FSP12-23, for $305,000 for 5 months
• Beat No. 27, Disco Auto Sales, Inc. dba Hollywood Car Carrier, Contract No. FSP12-27, for $455,000 for 5 months
• Beat No. 29, Platinum Tow & Transport, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-29, for $480,000, for 6 months
• Beat No. 31, Sonic Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-31, for $460,000, for 6 months
• Beat No. 39, J&M Towing, LLC, Contract No., FSP12-39, for $385,000, for 9 months
• Beat No. 43, Disco Auto Sales, Inc. dba Hollywood Car Carrier, Contract No. FSP12-43, for $560,000 for 9 months
• Beat No. 50, Girard & Peterson, Inc., Contract No. FSP12-50, for $610,000, for 6 months
• Beat No. 70, Sonic Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP12ELTS-70, for $755,000, for 4 months
• Beat No. 71, Bob & Dave's Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP12ELTS-71, for $755,000 for 4 months
B. EXERCISING option year 2 of two FSP Big Rig Contract for a total value of $1,512,000.
• Beat No. 60, Hadley Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP10BR-60, for $765,000, for 12 months
• Beat no. 61, Hadley Towing, Inc., Contract No. FSP10BR-61, for $765,000, for 12 months
Issue
ISSUE
The proposed contract modifications will extend the term of the expiring FSP tow contracts to align expiration dates with the service start dates of the new contracts yet to be awarded. In addition, the contract modifications will support freeway construction projects and fill operational service vacancies, as they arise. Finally, recommendation B exercises one year options for two FSP Big Rig contracts.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Metro FSP program currently manages 38 tow service contracts covering over 475 center line miles on all major freeways in Los Angeles County. The service is provided by 25 independent tow service operators deploying over 150 vehicles throughout Los Angeles County that provide assistance to stranded or disabled motorists. On average, FSP performs 25,000 motorist assists per month and provides a benefit to cost ratio of 10.8 to 1 per the most recent statewide evaluation.
Sixteen existing contracts require modification to ensure continuity of service and operation until new contracts are awarded and contractors are mobilized to begin service, and to support operational issues and special events as required. These events include but are not limited to:
• Freeway construction support - FSP is used to support/mitigate construction impacts on freeway traffic. FSP construction support on the Metro 405 Widening Project and various Caltrans construction projects is in addition to the normal FSP services provided during operating hours and generally includes the deployment of vehicles during non-service hours. Although the FSP support on Caltrans construction projects is reimbursed by Caltrans, these funds are reimbursed to Metro and not applied to the individual contracts that provided the service.
• Special events support - FSP has been used to support special conditions/events that may cause a negative traffic impact. Examples include Rose Bowl Game/Parade and other events.
• General redeployment support - On occasion, FSP contractors are directed to provide services on other FSP Beats due to a variety of operational and/or administrative issues. Redeployment support is used to ensure that FSP continues to serve the public while the operational or administrative issues are handled. Issues can include vehicle breakdown, service suspension, operator/driver unavailability, contractor termination or other related items.
• Other service issues - On occasion, FSP contractors are required to continue providing support for an incident beyond the normal work hours, for example SigAlerts.
• Service gap coverage - Depending upon the ability of the new contractors to secure their vehicles, equipment and staff, there may be a need to extend expiring contracts for some limited time to provide sufficient transition time. This gap coverage is primarily driven by circumstances beyond the new contractors’ direct control.
If any of the contractors decline the offer to modify their contract or if it is determined that it is in the best interest of Metro not to modify a contract, then the contract modification will be used to modify other existing FSP contracts to ensure that service continues to be provided until new contracts are in place.
Lastly, two FSP Big Rig contracts require the exercise of one year options, as part of this action.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The FSP Program provides a vital service to assist motorists with disabled vehicles on the freeways of Los Angeles County. During FSP operating hours, drivers provide specific services to motorists with disabled vehicles to get them safely back on the road or tow them to a designated safe location off of the freeway. FSP drivers patrolling their Beat locate and assist motorists in freeway lanes or along the shoulder significantly faster than it would take to call a private tow service. The FSP Program completes approximately 300,000 assists annually.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A portion of the funding of $9,208,000 for this program is included in the FY16 budget in cost center 3352, Metro Freeway Service Patrol, under project number 300070.
Since this is a multi-year contract/project, the cost center manager and Executive Officer, Congestion Reduction, will be accountable for budgeting the funds in future years.
Impact to Budget
The FSP program is funded through a combination of Proposition C 25% sales tax, State and SAFE funds. There is no impact to bus and rail operating or capital; Proposition A, C and TDA administration; or Measure R administration budgets.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may decide not to authorize the modifications to existing contracts. This alternative is not recommended as it would result in interruption to FSP services and will prevent staff from managing the FSP program in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the modifications.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Contract Modification Summary
Attachment C - FSP Beat Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: John Takahashi, Sr. Highway Operations Program Manager, (213) 922-6346
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Shahrzad Amiri, Executive Officer, Congestion Reduction Initiative, (213) 922-3061
Ivan Page, Interim Executive Director, Vendor/Contract Management, (213) 922-6383
