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Committee sends $70M SFMTA parking‑meter procurement to full Board with reporting amendment
Summary
SFMTA presented a proposed procurement not to exceed $70 million for new single‑ and multispace parking meters and services; supervisors sought clarifications on RFP scope, 4G/5G capability and dual‑bay options and extracted an amendment requiring an installation progress and financial impacts report within three years.
SFMTA officials told the Budget & Finance Committee on Sept. 15 that the agency seeks authority to contract for replacement parking hardware and services covering roughly 12,100 single‑space meters and 2,300 multispace devices, with a 5‑year base term and a 5‑year option and a not to exceed amount of $70 million.
SFMTA presenters said the contract addresses three pressing needs: (1) replacement of aging meters that rely on 3G modems (which will be phased out), (2) lower ongoing operating costs through a hardware and service arrangement with rechargeable batteries and remote connectivity, and (3) improved functionality including multi‑language displays and contactless payments. Presenters estimated operating savings compared with maintaining the existing system and the BLA estimated that delaying replacement could cost the agency roughly $19.7 million over 10 years.
Supervisors pressed staff on procurement details. Supervisor Safaei asked whether 5G capability was required by the RFP; staff said the RFP was written around 4G LTE (the only available technology at issuance) and that the contractor (MacKay) later offered 5G modems at no additional cost during negotiations. Supervisors also asked about dual‑bay hardware and whether that feature had been part of the evaluated proposals; staff said dual‑bay configuration was not required or evaluated but that parts were included in the spare‑parts list following negotiation.
Supervisor Safaei proposed and the agency accepted an amendment requiring SFMTA to return to the Board with a written report on installation progress and the financial impacts, including revenue and savings from single and multispace meters, within three years of contract execution. With that amendment the committee forwarded the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
Next steps: The item goes to the full Board for final authorization; supervisors flagged additional questions that may be pursued at that hearing.
