DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Annual Contract for Taxi Services for Non-Emergency EMS Patients
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a contract with Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab to provide Taxi Services for non-emergency EMS Patients under the San Antonio Fire Department’s Taxi Voucher Program for an initial term from council award through September 30, 2022, with options to extend (2) additional one (1) year periods, for an estimated annual amount of $50,000.00. Funding for FY 2019 is available in the FY 2019 General Fund Budget with additional funding for future fiscal years subject to the appropriation of funds.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Submitted for Council consideration and action is a proposal submitted by Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab to provide Taxi Services for non-emergency EMS Patients under the San Antonio Fire Department’s Taxi Voucher Program. The San Antonio Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS) Taxi Voucher Program is intended to provide non-emergency EMS patients with a City-sponsored means of transportation to appropriate hospital facilities, thus allowing SAEMS units to return to service for subsequent and/or more emergency responses. The SAEMS Taxi Voucher Program goal is to increase EMS unit availability by conserving vital emergency response resources, while continuing to assist the residents of San Antonio in obtaining appropriate and timely medical care.
The City issued a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals for an Annual Contract for “Taxi Services for Non-Emergency EMS Patients” (RFCSP 6100011168) on January 30, 2019, with a submission deadline of March 8, 2019. One proposal was received and was deemed responsive for evaluation. Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab was selected based on the City's standard RFCSP evaluation process.
The evaluation committee consisted of representatives from the San Antonio Fire Department. The Finance Department, Purchasing Division, facilitated by ensuring compliance with City procurement policies and procedures. The proposal was evaluated based on the firm’s qualifications, experience, service quality, previous performance, proposed plan and price schedule. An additional category of consideration included references.
The evaluation criteria were based on a total of 100 points; 40 points allotted for experience, background, qualifications; 40 points allotted for proposed plan; and 20 points allotted for respondent’s price schedule. This contract is within the scope of the SBEDA Program. The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of qualified SMWBE’s available to provide the required goods and services.
An interview was conducted on April 9, 2019. Upon conclusion of the interview, the evaluation committee met to evaluate the proposal. After committee review and discussion, the evaluation committee approved award recommendation to Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab.
The initial term of the agreement shall be upon Council award through September 30, 2022 with two, one year renewals at the City’s option shall also be authorized by this ordinance.
The SAEMS taxi voucher program began in 2006 and from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018 the program has provided a total of 4,468 taxi vouchers, or an annual average of 1,489 taxi vouchers. Due to continuous efforts by SAEMS to increase EMS unit availability, the number of taxi vouchers for the new contract is estimated to provide 11,946 vouchers over the life of the contract, or an annual average of 1,989 vouchers.
ISSUE:
The San Antonio Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS) Taxi Voucher Program is intended to provide non-emergency EMS patients with a City-sponsored means of transportation to appropriate hospital facilities, thus allowing SAEMS units to return to service for subsequent and/or more emergency responses. The SAEMS Taxi Voucher Program goal is to increase EMS unit availability by conserving vital emergency response resources, while continuing to assist the citizens of San Antonio in obtaining appropriate and timely medical care.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods and services.
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 this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the availability of supplemental transportation services would be reduced and/or eliminated. This would in turn, reduce the ability of the EMS staff to provide timely and efficient services to the residents of San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a contract with Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab to provide Taxi Services for non-emergency EMS Patients under the San Antonio Fire Department’s Taxi Voucher Program for an initial term from council award through September 30, 2022, with options to extend (2) additional one (1) year periods, for an estimated annual amount of $50,000.00. Funding for FY 2019 is available in the FY 2019 General Fund Budget with additional funding for future fiscal years subject to the appropriation of funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the contract with Greater San Antonio Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab to provide Taxi Services for non-emergency EMS Patients under the San Antonio Fire Department’s Taxi Voucher Program for an estimated amount of $50,000.00 annually.
This contract is procured by means of Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal and a Contract Disclosure Form is required.