DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Taxi Services for Non-Emergency EMS Patients
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Greater San Antonio Transportation Company d/b/a Yellow Cab to provide non-emergency patients with a city-sponsored means of transportation to appropriate medical and hospital facilities for an estimated annual amount of $20,000.00, and an estimated total amount of $100,000.00. This contract is for an initial period of three years with options to renew for two additional one year periods. Funding is available through the FY 2015 General Fund.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for City Council consideration and action is a proposal submitted by Greater San Antonio Transportation Company d/b/a Yellow Cab to provide non-emergency patients with transportation to appropriate medical and hospital facilities. The Taxi Voucher Program's goal is to conserve Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unit's availability for vital emergency response, while providing a safe, reliable mode of patient transport for non-emergency requirements. Proposed rates and fare structure align with City of San Antonio Code of Ordinances, Part II, Chapter 33.
Transportation is provided for patients solely for medical transportation to appropriate medical and hospital facilities. Transportation is managed through a voucher program. Once utilized, vouchers will be submitted to the City for payment with the vendor's invoice.
The City issued a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP) for "Taxi Services for Non-Emergency EMS Patients" (RFCSP 14-046, 6100004670) for the Fire Department, EMS on June 20, 2014. This RFCSP was advertised in the San Antonio Express News, on the City's website and the City of San Antonio Electronic Procurement System (SAePS). A pre-submittal conference was held on June 30, 2014 to review the RFCSP requirements and address questions from potential respondents. Two firms were in attendance. One proposal was received on July 14, 2014. Greater San Antonio Transportation Company d/b/a Yellow Cab was selected based on the City's standard RFCSP process. The selection team consisted of representatives from the Fire Department. The Finance Department, Purchasing Division assisted to ensure compliance with City procurement policies and procedures.
The proposal was evaluated based on several weighted factors, to include experience, background, and qualifications; proposed plan (services offered), and price. Based upon the initial committee review and discussion of the proposal received, a decision was made to recommend the proposal submitted by Greater San Antonio Transportation Company d/b/a Yellow Cab for award.
ISSUE:
An ordinance awarding a contract to the Greater San Antonio Transportation Company for non-emergency medical transportation through Supplemental Taxi Services for Non-Emergency Medical Service Needs. The San Antonio Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS) Taxi Voucher Program's goal is to conserve Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unit's availability for vital emergency response, while providing a safe, reliable mode of patient transport to assist residents of San Antonio in obtaining appropriate and timely medical care.
This contract is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to non-professional service contracts, so no preference was applied to the contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Fire Department's SAEMS Taxi Voucher Program's operational activities would be unfavorably impacted. The availability of supplemental transportation services would be reduced or eliminated thereby diminishing the ability of the SAEMS Taxi Voucher Program to provide timely and efficient services to the impacted citizens of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are not encumbered by this ordinance. The estimated annual cost for the contract listed on this ordinance is approximately $20,000.00 and is available in Fire's FY 2015 Adopted Operating Budget. Purchases made by the Department are as needed and dependent upon available funds within their adopted budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the contract proposal submitted by Greater San Antonio Transportation Company d/b/a Yellow Cab to provide non-emergency patients with transportation to appropriate medical and hospital facilities. Proposal response, rates and fare structure align with City of San Antonio Code of Ordinances, Part II, Chapter 33.
This contract is procured by means of Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals and a Contracts Disclosure Form is required.