REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MINDY CASTO, Acting Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: ROBERT BECKWITH, Acting Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Award a requirements contract for the towing and storage of evidence cars to Fortney Towing, Inc. for three years in the total amount of $1,095,129.30, with two optional one-year extensions in the amount of $365,043.10 per year (Request for Proposals No.12402054).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a requirements contracts for the towing and storage of evidence cars to Fortney Towing, Inc. for three years in the total amount of $1,095,129.30, with two optional one-year extensions in the amount of $365,043.10 annually, and to authorize the Chief of Police to execute all documents on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Police Department solicited proposals through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the towing and storage of evidence cars. The contract awarded will be a requirements contract and the amount paid to the selected contractor is based upon the amount of service the selected contractor supplies as well as its overall performance.
The RFP for towing and storage of evidence cars was released on April 23, 2024, and was publicly posted on Planet Bids and sent to 4 potential bidders. Proposals were due on May 21, 2024, and were revealed in a public bid opening. Responsive and responsible proposals were received from 1 bidder Fortney Towing Inc.
The evaluation Committee was comprised of the following individuals: Sergeant Mark VanWyhe, Traffic Bureau Supervisor, Officer Dalan Richards, Traffic Bureau Tow Coordinator, Rachael Fierro, Traffic Bureau Tow Coordinator.
Through a comprehensive review and interview process, guided by the Purchasing Division, the Committee’s evaluation determined Fortney Towing Inc. presents the best value for the city.
Fortney Towing Inc. has the current contract for towing and storage of evidence cars and has proven to provide high quality level of service for towing and storage of evidence cars and has met or exceeded their stated goals. Awarding them this contract will provide uninterrupted service for towing and storage of evidence cars. Their pricing has not increased from the current contract, and they will continue to provide a high level of service at a low cost to the City.
BACKGROUND
The Agreement closely mirrors our previous Towing and Storage of Evidence Cars Agreement that has been in effect for the last four years. The Fresno Police Department tows approx. 500 vehicles annually for evidence and has approx. 350 vehicles currently stored as evidence for criminal cases. That number will vary on a daily and monthly basis. Fortney Towing Inc. has adequate personnel, towing equipment, and a secure storage facility to meet these needs. They will continue to collect the City’s Administrative Fees from registered owners or pay the fees for vehicles not picked in a timely manner from owners.
The agreement will require Fortney Tow to be available 365 days a year on a 24hr/7 day a week basis for the Fresno Police Department. They will be required to work directly with Members of the Fresno Police Department, and citizens who are either victims or suspects of crimes. This requires them to maintain a high level of professionalism; Currently Fortney Towing meets and exceeds those standards. The city uses a web-based software program for dispatching tow trucks, managing vehicle inventory, and billing. This enables the city to have uniformity and transparency with the contractor. Fortney Towing’s staff is knowledgeable in the software program and prepares accurate monthly billing to the city for vehicles towed as evidence.
The current towing and storage evidence car contract began September 9, 2020, that’s a three-year contract with the option of two one-year extensions. Fortney Towing Inc was awarded the contract and currently is on the first of the two one-year extension options, which will end August 31, 2024. The Purpose of this RFP is to increase the funding for the towing and storage of evidence cars to reflect the Fresno Police Departments increase of towing and storage of evidence cars since 2020. The quantities in this RFP reflect a more accurate account (on average) of vehicles impounded and stored for evidence on an annual basis from the last three years.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project pursuant to section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act
Guidelines.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented, however, to Fortney Towing, Inc. is a local business
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual cost of this contract will be $365,043.10 (based on 400 vehicles each month on average with inside storage and 41 vehicles towed each month on average). The contract will cover any additional cost related to the towing and storage of evidence vehicles that exceeds the average monthly mark listed. The funding will need to be an addendum to the FY 2025 General Fund Budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Sample Contract