Staff recommends ETHRA for Oak Ridge transit contract after two proposals

City staff recommended the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency be offered the city’s transit contract, after a review of two proposals received through an RFP process. Kendall Moore, who led the evaluation, told the council that ETHRA’s proposal aligned better with the city’s operational requirements and fiscal constraints and that the committee—consisting of Moore, City Manager Randy Heeman and Councilwoman Ellen Smith—unanimously recommended ETHRA.

“The committee’s recommendation, is that ETHERA receive the contract,” Kendall Moore said, noting ETHRA’s established facilities, positive references and a proposed cost that staff estimated at about $230,000 per year. Moore said ETHRA’s weaknesses include less‑developed technical and software systems and that its bid did not include an explicit quote for additional Sunday service.

Council members pressed staff on rider experience and accessibility. Council member Hensley said he objects to a model that requires extensive advance notice and prefers more on‑demand pickup windows. Moore and City Manager Randy Heeman said many operational elements—including app features, call center support and Sunday availability—could be negotiated into contract terms if the council approves selecting ETHRA at the May meeting.

The LAZ Parking LLC proposal scored well for software and customer feedback mechanisms but was higher‑cost and lacked some RFP compliance, staff said. Moore told council the next step is to present the recommendation at the May council meeting; if approved, staff would begin contract negotiations with legal review and aim to have a contract in place by July 1 to maintain service continuity.