ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: May 30, 1997 File No. CREP 075
CC File No. 1801-1
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services,
Chief Constable and Manager of Purchasing Services
SUBJECT: Contract Extension - Contract No. 25-94-02
Towing Services for the City of Vancouver
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the extension of the contract to Unitow
Services (1978) Ltd. for towing services for the City of Vancouver,
for an additional 12-month period from July 1, 1997.
COUNCIL POLICY
The policy of Council is to award contracts for the purchase of
equipment, supplies and services that will give the highest value based
on quality, service and price.
Contracts with a value over $300,000 are referred to Council for award.
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 1994, Council awarded a 36-month contract to the overall low
bidder, Unitow Services (1978) Ltd., for towing services for the City of
Vancouver, which expires on June 30, 1997. The contract provides for two
12-month extensions unilaterally by the City. This is the first 12-month
extension.
The contract provides for towing services to remove vehicles at the
request of members of the City of Vancouver Police Force and the City
Engineering Services, to specific storage places and other places within
the City and occasionally outside the City, as directed from time to
time. The contract includes the following towing services, as specified
in the document:
"The contractor perform such towing services when called in each of
the following circumstances:
(a) all towing of impoundments for violation of City By-laws, or
pursuant to Sections under the Motor Vehicle Act;
(b) all required towing of vehicles in police custody;
(c) all towing of vehicles within the City limits or from other
areas as directed by the Police Department, required for
Police investigations;
(d) all towing of Police Vehicles;
(e) all towing of City-Owned Vehicles (excluding Police Vehicles);
(f) all towing of Abandoned Vehicles."
The contract is primarily funded by the traffic by-law violators, with
the City s cost restricted to those incurred for the towing of
City-Owned, Abandoned and Police vehicles, or private vehicles required
for Police investigation.
DISCUSSION
Prices are firm for the first year of the contract, with a specific
formula related to the Consumer Price Index for Vancouver regulating the
price changes in subsequent years. This results in an allowable
increase of 0.51% from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998.
Depending on the individual item, the adjustment is made to the nearest
dollar ($1.00), twenty-five cents ($0.25) or cent ($0.01), as specified
in the contract. A comparison of prices from 1994 to the proposed
impounding charges, payable by the public, are as follows:
1994 1995 1996 Proposed
Rate Rate Rate 1997 Rate
(Remains
unchanged
from 1996)
For the removal Under 5500
of any impounded kg. GVW $21.95 $21.95 $21.95 $21.95
vehicle, including the first day Over 5500
storage charge. kg. GVW $35.00 $36.00 $37.00 $37.00
Additional daily
storage charge
after the day
of impounding. $ 8.50 $ 8.75 $ 9.00 $ 9.00
The Province of British Columbia has recently made changes to the Motor
Vehicle Act, referred to in (a) above, for the longer term impoundment
of motor vehicles by Police officers under the Vehicle Impoundment
Program. As this is a new program, the City has asked for and received,
from Unitow, written confirmation that it will comply with the rules and
regulations for impound lot operators published by or on behalf of the
Province of British Columbia.
All other terms and conditions would remain the same.
Considering that Unitow Services (1978) Ltd. has been a satisfactory
supplier, it is recommended that the contract be extended for an additional 12-month period.
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