Subcommittee recommends two‑year extension to parking meter contract and urges competitive RFP after pilot

The committee considered a proposed ninth amendment to the parking meter collection and management agreement with CIRCO Incorporated (Serco) that would extend the contract by two years and increase the not‑to‑exceed amount to $77,300,000.

Ms. Bowes told supervisors the extension would maintain critical services during rollout of the SF Park pilot and allow time to finalize an RFP when the city has solid technical specifications. "So we're asking your approval to extend this contract for additional 2 years," she said, noting the extension supports implementation of new meters, sensors and software development.

The budget analyst reviewed the agreement’s history, noting prior extensions and emphasizing that the Board has twice requested a new competitive RFP. He reported the SFMTA has received net revenues of about $158.5 million under the agreement while paying Serco roughly $59.7 million through FY 2009‑10, and he recommended the board disapprove any future amendments until a new RFP is awarded.

Committee members questioned whether the incumbent would gain an advantage in a future procurement; Ms. Bowes said several major firms would likely compete and that CIRCO would be "at the table" but not guaranteed the follow‑on award. The committee moved the item to the full board with recommendation.

The SF Park pilot timeline discussed in committee calls for sensors and new meters to be in place by August with pricing changes beginning in October–November and credit card acceptance available in pilot areas by late summer.