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Board directs negotiations with MB Transportation after RFP debate; proposers and riders speak
Summary
After public comments and presentations from proposers, the St. Lucie County board instructed staff to negotiate a transit contract with MB Transportation. The procurement team reviewed RFP best‑value guidance and proposers emphasized service continuity, capacity and cost differences; several commissioners cited rider continuity and staff reports.
St. Lucie County commissioners directed staff to enter negotiations with MB Transportation to continue providing paratransit, microtransit and fixed‑route services after a contested RFP process and public comment from riders and proposers.
Transit Director Adolfo Covelli reviewed federal guidance on ‘‘best value’’ procurements and explained that the county used a multi‑factor RFP evaluation where price was not the only criterion. MB Transportation representatives (Randy France, Ken Pruett) summarized their local operations and argued for continuity, citing on‑time performance and safety metrics. Transportation America (represented by Adam Fetterman) presented a cost‑based argument, saying its proposal offered roughly $13.6 million in savings over five years compared with the apparent recommended respondent and urged that the county negotiate with the top three proposers to capture savings.
Public comments included testimonials from current MV/MB drivers and riders. Jada Fox and driver Paul Sepulveda described personal reliance on the service and praised MB (also referred to as MV in public comments) for reliability and human connections. MB executives highlighted local leadership and operations staff with decades of experience. County leaders and several commissioners emphasized service continuity and staff confidence in current operations, and board members repeatedly thanked transit staff for responsiveness and awards they said the system had won.
After discussion, the board voted to authorize staff to negotiate with MB Transportation. Commissioners across the dais spoke in favor of awarding continuity to MB, citing operational familiarity and demonstrated performance; no recorded opposing vote was made during the roll call on the motion to negotiate.
Ending: Staff will begin contract negotiations with MB Transportation per the board’s direction; the negotiation outcome and any contract award will return for further board action as required by procurement rules.
