Title
Resolution Authorizing Sole Source Purchase of Trapeze PASS Scheduling and Interactive Voice Response System from the Trapeze Software Group, Inc. d.b.a. TripSpark Technologies
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: Citywide
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Adam Fischer 373-2861
Contact 2 and Phone: Bruce Adams 412-6237
PURPOSE:
A resolution must be approved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Sole Source Procurement for the purchase of the Trapeze PASS Scheduling and Interactive Voice Response System for the Greensboro Transit Authority.
BACKGROUND:
To enhance the Greensboro Transit Authority’s paratransit service’s efficiency and access, the GTA Board recommends the purchase of Trapeze PASS Scheduling and Interactive Voice Response System by a sole-source procurement. In April 2006, the GTA entered into a regional Memorandum of Understanding with High Point Transit, Guilford County Transportation, Winston-Salem Transit Authority and the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation to have one regional Paratransit scheduling system for all five entities. The purpose of this agreement was to allow disabled individuals who use transit in the Triad to have the capability to travel seamlessly throughout the Triad region. Since Winston-Salem Transit Authority already had the Trapeze PASS license, it was decided that all of the other jurisdictions would purchase additional licenses from Winston-Salem Transit, and it would serve as the designated entity to control the access to the system.
Since 2006, the Trapeze PASS software has undergone several updates, but the regional entities have not agreed to purchase all of these updates. Currently, the regional system is four updates behind, and the maps that are necessary to operate the system have not been updated since 2006. This has caused many issues and service disruption in the GTA Paratransit system; including scheduling, missed trips, and late trips. In addition, in an effort to hold the GTA’s contractor responsible for these issues, the failure of the region to maintain the most up-to-date scheduling software is an issue that staff has sought to address. The region, however, is not in a position to update the software at this time, but staff has determined that purchasing a separate license for the GTA with all of the updates and the ability to control the modifications and parameters of the software to suit our needs, is a critical priority. With the purchase of this software, GTA can substantially improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the paratransit service.
Staff proposes to use local funds to purchase this software. Since local funds will be used, state procurement law applies. State law allows cities to use a sole-source procurement when “standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.” See, N.C.G.S. 143-129(e)(6). Since GTA is already using the Trapeze PASS system, this purchase will ensure that the GTA has the capability to employ the rules and regulations specifically pertaining to GTA as opposed to the current situation in which Winston-Salem’s rules and regulations are followed. Additionally, all GTA personnel are currently trained in the Trapeze PASS system, so minimal additional training will be required.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The cost to purchase the licenses and to install the Trapeze PASS system is $200,229. The annual on-going operational costs and service support are approximately $31,000, but will increase minimally from year to year. The GTA currently pays yearly increases to the regional partners for these same services; however, they do not include the map updates. This contract includes these map updates. We currently pay approximately $52,000 annually for the same services.
Funding for this project will come from Transit Administration operating account 564-4531-01.5212. A budget adjustment is required to move funds to the appropriate account to purchase the software.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Transportation Department recommends and requests City Council approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a sole source contract with Trapeze Software Group, Inc. d.b.a. TripSpark Technologies to provide the City with the Trapeze PASS Scheduling and Interactive Voice Response System Software for a sum not to exceed $200,229 and approve the associated budget adjustment.