Committee files curbside award after bidders and taxi drivers raise procurement and safety concerns

The Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee on Wednesday filed — rather than approved — a resolution to award curbside management services at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport after public comment and bidders urged a pause to review the procurement process.

The resolution (25R4122) authorizes a three-year curbside management agreement with Laz CCD joint venture with a management fee "not to exceed $930,000" and a reimbursable operating budget listed at $29,091,544.80. After more than an hour of public comment from taxi drivers, rideshare drivers and multiple companies that responded to the city's request-for-proposals, the committee voted to file the item; the tally recorded in committee was 2 yeas and 3 abstentions.

Matthew Veach, senior vice president of business development for MB Transportation, said his company was initially told its proposal was responsive but was later deemed nonresponsive without explanation. "This is a $10,000,000 a year project," Veach told the committee. "We never got a question about it or were told that we were found nonresponsive." He urged the council to "disregard the RFP award, and reissue the RFP, so we can all find out what exactly happened."

Attorney Kevin Ross, appearing for another proposer, told the panel that five of six proponents were found nonresponsive and that such a result typically indicates defects in the procuring authority or the solicitation. "If you have 5 out of 6 proponents that are deemed nonresponsive, the problem isn't with the proponents, the problem's with the procuring authority," Ross said. He also criticized the city's procurement "blackout" policy as restricting the council's ability to exercise oversight.

Taxi and rideshare drivers at the meeting said the decision could threaten operators' livelihoods. Van Dyke Howard of the Atlanta Taxi Drivers Association said drivers were "trying to stop any jeopardy" and asked the council for clarification about the incoming company. Lisa Ramsey of the Atlanta Rideshare Drivers Union urged more transparency and a Transportation Network Company task force so drivers have a formal appeals process and a voice in policy changes.

Transportation Committee members described the vote to file as a procedural safeguard after widespread concern. Council Member Antonio Lewis said the public comments and media inquiries convinced him the committee should not forward a recommendation to the full council. "This process stinks," Chair Byron Amos said later in committee remarks, urging staff to improve procurement communication and protest procedures.

Filing the item does not approve the contract; it means the committee did not forward a favorable recommendation and the item will return for further review and possible reconsideration by the full council. City procurement and Department of Aviation officials did not make new award determinations at the meeting; committee members asked staff to provide additional procurement records and to coordinate with legal counsel on protest rights and blackout-period guidance.

The committee's action came amid repeated requests from bidders for a reissued RFP or clearer communication about responsiveness determinations. Several speakers predicted legal challenges if the award proceeds without additional review.

The committee recorded the motion to file as "filed by committee," and no final contract execution occurred during the session. The matter will remain before the council for further procedural steps and potential additional hearings.