SR-12-16-2014-3CCity of City Council Report
Santa Monica'
City Council Meeting: December 16, 2014
Agenda Item: 3C
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward F. King, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Increase Purchase Order for Big Blue Bus Security Service
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a second
modification to Purchase Order No. 23924 in the amount of $384,000 with ABM
Security, Inc., a California -based company, to provide Big Blue Bus security services.
This will result in a four -year amended purchase order with a new total not to exceed
$2,024,969, with future year funding contingent on Council approval and budget
adoption.
Executive Summary
Big Blue Bus (BBB) has contracted with a security firm to provide daily security services
at the BBB campus since February 2002, based in part on recommendations made by
the Federal Transit Administration's Office of Safety and Security to secure public
transportation properties. These recommendations were encompassed in an FTA
Threat and Vulnerability Assessment (TVA) that outlined FTA's safety and security
standards for the safety of the transportation systems, equipment and employees.
ABM Security, Inc. has been providing security service since July 2011. Their contract
expires in June 2015. The City has the option of terminating the amended purchase
order with a 30 -day written notice to the contractor. Big Blue Bus is requesting to amend
the existing purchase order by $384,000 for a new total not to exceed $2,024,969.
Background
On April 26, 2011 Council awarded Bid No. 3019 to ABM Security, Inc. for security
guard services at Big Blue Bus starting July 1, 2011, through end of FY 2014 -15.
On April 24, 2012, Council approved an amendment to increase the PO by $126,500
with a total contract amount not to exceed $1,640,999.
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Discussion
An additional $384,000 is necessary to cover expenses for security service needs in FY
2014 -15. This will allow BBB staff to update and rehabilitate the current security
perimeter gating system with automatic vehicular gates, monitoring and key card
systems and security camera system throughout the campus. These improvements will
result in a reduction in 80 hours of guard coverage per week required to secure BBB
facilities while still ensuring the safety and security of staff and equipment. BBB is in the
process of preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for security services for FY 2015 -16
and anticipates awarding a new security contract in May 2015.
It should be noted that staff will present a Contract Staffing Review, Policy, Practice and
Recommendations to Council on January 13, 2015 and that pending Council policy, it is
recommended that the additional $384,000 be approved to provide continuity of security
services at BBB. An outside security contractor has a much greater ability to allocate
staffing resources quickly and efficiently to respond to personnel turnover or when
BBB's security needs change. All security personnel hold state certification through the
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and are trained in compliance with
Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 643(b).
Currently there are no in -house personnel within the department with the training or
expertise to provide security services as these functions are outside of the scope of
standard transit operations. In the past Santa Monica Police officers were utilized for
on -route security issues but the program was ended due to budgetary reasons and the
redeployment of the officers from the detail. Utilizing Santa Monica Police officers for
BBB facilities security may increase liability for the city and would be less than optimal
use of well- trained police personnel. The City has the option of terminating the
amended purchase order with a 30 -day written notice to the contractor.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The purchase order amendment to be awarded to ABM Security is $384,000, for an
amended purchase order total not to exceed $2,024,969. Funds are available in the FY
2014 -15 budget in division 41670; the purchase order will be charged to account
41670.555020.
Prepared by: Raymond Lopez, Transit Safety and Training Manager
roved:
Forwarded to Council:
Edward F. King Rod Gould
Director of Transit Service City Manager
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