Council approves DOTTI’s 2026 on‑call contract packages after probing MWBE compliance and bridge oversight

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted on Nov. 19 to approve two DOTTI on‑call contract packages for 2026 after prolonged questioning from council members about how the city enforces MWBE goals, how strategic projects are selected for on‑call procurement, and how inspections and emergency bridge work are handled.

Elena McWhorter, DOTTI legislative liaison, said the packages — professional services (resolution requests 25‑1643 through 25‑1687) and large civil construction (resolution requests 13‑84 through 13‑89) — create pools of qualified firms DOTTI will use for time‑sensitive or specialized task orders. McWhorter said on‑calls do not themselves encumber funds; project funds are allocated through the annual budget and task orders trigger encumbrances and payments.

DOTTI staff reviewed results from the 2020 on‑calls and explained the 2026 award: the professional services roster includes 45 firms across expanded categories and the large civil construction package is sized at $400 million total capacity with firms capped at $50 million each over three years. Ryan Crum said the 2020 on‑call work included stormwater and bike‑facility projects; staff also cited a Tennessee/Oneida stormwater example where nearly $200,000 in MWBE design spending represented 27% of design spend and construction task orders had delivered more than $2,000,000 to MWBE firms (18% of current construction spending to date).

Councilors pressed DSBO staff on accountability when prime contractors finish projects below their MWBE goal. Erin Crook of the Division of Small Business Opportunity said primes submit MWBE utilization plans and must provide a "good faith effort" if they fall short; DSBO can sanction contractors by withholding retainage, affect prequalification for future work and require documentation of outreach. Patrick Riley, Department of Finance, said firms were sanctioned for MWBE noncompliance as far back as 2010.

Several council members raised a broader concern: large, transformational projects should be subject to full public bidding rather than handed to on‑call contractors. Councilman Hines pressed for a mechanism to separate routine operational on‑call use (potholes, maintenance) from strategic or large projects and asked for more disclosures of how the procurement committee determines delivery method. McWhorter and procurement staff said the procurement committee uses a matrix considering scope, budget, funding restrictions and risk to choose delivery method and that some projects — for example complex or large capital work — will use alternative delivery like CMGC or design‑bid‑build.

Council members also asked how on‑calls would be used for recently closed bridges: DOTTI confirmed inspection and design services are covered by the on‑call categories and that the bridge team has separate on‑call contracts as well. Councilmember Gilmore moved the package forward and Councilmember Cashman seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded Alvidrez Aye; Flynn Aye; Gilmore Aye; Hines No; Cashman Aye; Chair Lewis Aye — the motion passed 5–1.

DOTTI asked council to monitor quarterly reports DOTTI provides that list contractor task orders, encumbered balances and attainment of DSBO goals; council members requested more regular transparency on selection rationale and procurement committee decisions.