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Staff recommend new ART operations contract with RABDEV; committee debates term and budget implications
Summary
Staff told the committee they selected RABDEV through the RFP process for the ART operations and maintenance contract, outlined strengthened performance measures and new positions, and said the four‑year base contract is approximately $55 million (about $120 million if options executed); a councilmember moved for a shorter three‑year term but the motion failed for lack of a second.
Chris Whitlock, transit division manager for Asheville City, presented results of the RFP for the ART turnkey operations and maintenance contract and summarized new contract provisions designed to increase accountability and service quality.
Whitlock said the evaluation committee received four proposals, that the committee invited the top‑scoring firm to an oral interview and has since entered negotiations with the selected offer. "RABDEV was selected as the vendor through the evaluation process," he said, presenting a contract cost breakout: a roughly $55 million total for a four‑year base contract and about $120 million if the two‑year options are executed to reach an eight‑year total.
Staff told the committee the RFP and proposed contract include stronger performance measures (raising monthly on‑time performance targets to 80 percent), liquidated damages for early departures, staffing gaps and poor customer response, new onboard safety technologies to monitor driver performance, and access to contractor project‑management and reporting tools. The contract also specifies three new contractor positions the staff expect will improve customer experience and crisis response: a crisis counselor (with experience in de‑escalation and connections to community resources), a customer service manager, and an HR recruiter focused on retention and hiring outreach.
Council members asked detailed questions about fiscal accountability, auditing and how the city pays for services. Jessica Morris explained the city pays the contractor via a fixed monthly fee for key personnel and a revenue‑hour rate for service provision; the revenue‑hour fee covers the bulk of hourly operating costs for drivers and mechanics, meaning the city pays for the hours of service run rather than the contractor’s total payroll costs.
Budget concerns were front and center. Councilmember Kim Rooney moved to recommend a three‑year contract to city council, citing budget uncertainty and a desire to allow time to evaluate alternative governance models; the motion did not receive a second and did not pass at committee. Staff and the assistant city attorney confirmed procurement language in the RFP supports the standard four‑year base with two‑year options structure (4 + 2).
Staff outlined next steps: staff will update city council on March 19 and ask council to authorize execution of the contract on March 24 so the new contract can comply with a three‑month notice requirement to the existing contractor and begin July 1, if approved.
A public commenter raised concerns later in the meeting that draft COA maps had removed the S5 route serving the Oakley neighborhood and warned of community impacts if routes are cut; staff noted the COA engagement schedule and draft‑map timing.
The committee did not authorize execution at the meeting; the item is scheduled for full council consideration.
