Council awards transit operations contract to RTW Management after competitive RFP

The council approved a contract to retain RTW Management LLC as the City of Sandy’s transit operations contractor following a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP).

Staff said the city issued the RFP in January, received three proposals and convened a six‑member evaluation panel that included staff, Clackamas County, a transit agency partner and a TriMet supervisor who is a local resident. RTW scored highest based on criteria that included operations approach, technology, driver treatment and cost; staff said RTW proposed a smaller, service‑focused business model and included cloud‑based reporting and other operational improvements.

Councilors and staff emphasized protections for existing drivers during contractor transitions: the RFP required proposals to keep drivers “whole” for wages and benefits and to minimize employment disruption. Staff noted RTW had already engaged one‑on‑one with drivers after notice of the intent to award.

The contract term is two years with annual renewal options; council approved the award and asked staff to manage the implementation and ensure smooth onboarding in July. RTW’s proposed cost was lower than the incumbent operator’s proposal, and staff said the county partner supported the approach to consolidate contracts through the city as a single point of contract administration for shared routes.

Why it matters: transit operations are an essential public service for Sandy residents, and the new contract may provide cost savings and administrative efficiencies while staff works to preserve driver pay and benefits through the transition.