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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFP - P1017 PARKING ACCESSREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL P1017 City of Fort Collins Analysis of Alternatives for the Upgrade and/or Replacement of the City's Existing Parking Access and Revenue Control System Written proposals, five (5) will be received at the City of Fort Collins' Purchasing Division, 215 North Mason St., 2nd floor, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Proposals will be received before3:00 p.m. (our clock), April 27, 2006. Proposal No. P1017. If delivered, they are to be sent to 215 North Mason Street, 2"d Floor, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. If mailed, the address is P.O. Box 580, Fort Collins, 80522-0580. Questions concerning the scope of the project should be directed to Project Manager Randy Hensley (970) 416-2058. Questions regarding proposals submittal or process should be directed to John D. Stephen, CPPO, CPPB, Senior Buyer (970) 221-6777. A copy of the Proposal may be obtained as follows: 1. Download the Proposal/Bid from the BuySpeed Webpage, https:Hsecure2.fcqov.com/bso/lo-gin.msp 2. Come by Purchasing at 215 North Mason St., 2"d floor, Fort Collins, and request a copy of the Bid. Sales Prohibited/Conflict of Interest: No officer, employee, or member of City Council, shall have a financial interest in the sale to the City of any real or personal property, equipment, material, supplies or services where such officer or employee exercises directly or indirectly any decision -making authority concerning such sale or any supervisory authority over the services to be rendered. This rule also applies to subcontracts with the City. Soliciting or accepting any gift, gratuity favor, entertainment, kickback or any items of monetary value from any person who has or is seeking to do business with the City of Fort Collins is prohibited. Collusive or sham proposals: Any proposal deemed to be collusive or a sham proposal will be rejected and reported to authorities as such. Your authorized signature of this proposal assures that such proposal is genuine and is not a collusive or sham proposal. The City of Fort Collins reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any irregularities or informalities. Sincerely, James B. O'Neill Il, CPPO, FNIGP Director of Purchasing & Risk Management 215 North Mason Street • 2nd Floor • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6775 • Fax (970) 221-6707 WW WAgov.com e. We are interested in being able to have an easy and accurate count of the number of vehicles in our structure. We have not been able to do this in a reliable manner with our existing system. What is required to make this happen? Some issues to consider: our gates are up at night, on Sundays, and holidays; a baby -stroller or bicycle will "activate' the auto -detection loops in the pavement; we have reversing lanes that get switched around at 3:00 p.m. on business days. f. Currently, we do not have a maintenance contract for either the hardware or software parts of our system. Are maintenance contracts cost-effective? How much should we expect to pay for a maintenance contract? g. If upgrades are available for the equipment purchased, what would be the cost for purchasing these upgrades? h. What kind of reporting capabilities are available? Can reports be customized for our operation? In particular, we need reports on operating efficiency, data collection that may indicate configuration changes that might be necessary, revenue accountability reports, occupancy data, on so on. What are the alternatives for handling special event parking, and which of those alternatives is the best given our resources? Flat -rate per vehicle, charge on entrance? Pre-printed permits? Other alternatives? How do the various hardware and software options help to facilitate special event parking? Validation: what are the validation options and how do they work? Is there a way to involve our downtown businesses in the validation process? k. Key fobs and entry proximity cards: can we use the same access card for the structures that we use for our buildings? What is required to make this happen? What software/hardware partnerships exist in the parking industry? Which companies currently use equipment/software that is compatible with other companies? What plans are companies making to integrate or interface with the products and services of other companies? m. What kind of a response time can we be guaranteed from the various vendors for critical maintenance or repair malfunctions that make our system inoperable? n. Are there any industry standards about the amount of "up time" we should expect for our system in percentage terms? In other words, if we purchase a system from a particular vendor, can we expect the system to operate over the course of a year 98% of the time? 95%? 90%? What rate of "up time" is reasonable for us to expect? o. We have consistently had problems with communications between the equipment and hardware located in the parking structures, and the computer located in the central City Parking Services office. What can be done to insure reliable, consistent communications? What is the best technology to link the remote equipment to the central computer? PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into the day and year set forth below, by and between THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, a Municipal Corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "City" and , [insert either a corporation, a partnership or an individual, doing business as 1, hereinafter referred to as "Professional'. WITNESSETH: In consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein expressed, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows: 1. Scope of Services. The Professional agrees to provide services in accordance with the scope of services attached hereto as Exhibit "A", consisting of ( ) page[s], and incorporated herein by this reference. 2. The Work Schedule. [Optional] The services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement shall be performed in accordance with the Work Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit "B", consisting of ( ) page[s], and incorporated herein by this reference. 3. Time of Commencement and Completion of Services. The services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement shall be initiated within ( ) days following execution of this Agreement. Services shall be completed no later than . Time is of the essence. Any extensions of the time limit set forth above must be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto. 4. Early Termination by City. Notwithstanding the time periods contained herein, the City may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause by providing written notice of termination to the Professional. Such notice shall be delivered at least fifteen (15) days prior to the termination date contained in said notice unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. All notices provided under this Agreement shall be effective when mailed, postage prepaid and sent to the following addresses: Professional: City: With Copy to: In the event of any such early termination by the City, the Professional shall be paid for services rendered prior to the date of termination, subject only to the satisfactory performance of the Professional's obligations under this Agreement. Such payment shall be the Professional's sole right and remedy for such termination. 5. Design, Project Indemnity and Insurance Responsibility. The Professional shall be responsible for the professional quality, technical accuracy, timely completion and the coordination of all services rendered by the Professional, including but not limited to designs, plans, reports, specifications, and drawings and shall, without additional compensation, promptly remedy and correct any errors, omissions, or other deficiencies. The Professional shall indemnify, save and hold harmless the City, its officers and employees in accordance with Colorado law, from all damages whatsoever claimed by third parties against the City; and for the City's costs and reasonable attorneys fees, arising directly or indirectly out of the Professional's negligent performance of any of the services furnished under this Agreement. The Professional shall maintain commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 combined single limits, and errors and omissions insurance in the amount of 6. Compensation. [Use this paragraph or Option 1 below.] In consideration of the services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement, the City agrees to pay Professional a fixed fee in the amount of ($ ) plus reimbursable direct costs. All such fees and costs shall not exceed ($ ). Monthly partial payments based upon the Professional's billings and itemized statements are permissible. The amounts of all such partial payments shall be based upon the Professional's City -verified progress in completing the services to be performed pursuant hereto and upon the City's approval of the Professional's actual reimbursable expenses. Final payment shall be made following acceptance of the work by the City. Upon final payment, all designs, plans, reports, specifications, drawings, and other services rendered by the Professional shall become the sole property of the City. 6. Compensation. [Option 1] In consideration of the services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement, the City agrees to pay Professional on a time and reimbursable direct cost basis according to the following schedule: Hourly billing rates: Reimbursable direct costs: with maximum compensation (for both Professional's time and reimbursable direct costs) not to exceed ($ ). Monthly partial payments based upon the Professional's billings and itemized statements of reimbursable direct costs are permissible. The amounts of all such partial payments shall be based upon the Professional's City -verified progress in completing the services to be performed pursuant hereto and upon the City's approval of the Professional's reimbursable direct costs. Final payment shall be made following acceptance of the work by the City. Upon final payment, all designs, plans, reports, specifications, drawings and other services rendered by the Professional shall become the sole property of the City. 7. City Representative. The City will designate, prior to commencement of work, its project representative who shall make, within the scope of his or her authority, all necessary and proper decisions with reference to the project. All requests for contract interpretations, change orders, and other clarification or instruction shall be directed to the City Representative. 8. Project Drawings. Upon conclusion of the project and before final payment, the Professional shall provide the City with reproducible drawings of the project containing accurate information on the project as constructed. Drawings shall be of archival, prepared on stable mylar base material using a non -fading process to provide for long storage and high quality reproduction. "CD" disc of the as -built drawings shall also be submitted to the owner in and AutoCAD version no older then the established city standard. 9. Monthly Report. Commencing thirty (30) days after the date of execution of this Agreement and every thirty (30) days thereafter, Professional is required to provide the City Representative with a written report of the status of the work with respect to the Scope of Services, Work Schedule, and other material information. Failure to provide any required monthly report may, at the option of the City, suspend the processing of any partial payment request. 10. Independent Contractor. The services to be performed by Professional are those of an independent contractor and not of an employee of the City of Fort Collins. The City shall not be responsible for withholding any portion of Professional's compensation hereunder for the payment of FICA, Workers' Compensation, other taxes or benefits or for any other purpose. 11. Personal Services. It is understood that the City enters into this Agreement based on the special abilities of the Professional and that this Agreement shall be considered as an agreement for personal services. Accordingly, the Professional shall neither assign any responsibilities nor delegate any duties arising under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the City. 12. Acceptance Not Waiver. The City's approval of drawings, designs, plans, specifications, reports, and incidental work or materials furnished hereunder shall not in any way relieve the Professional of responsibility for the quality or technical accuracy of the work. The City's approval or acceptance of, or payment for, any of the services shall not be construed to operate as a waiver of any rights or benefits provided to the City under this Agreement. 13. Default. Each and every term and condition hereof shall be deemed to be a material element of this Agreement. In the event either party should fail or refuse to perform according to the terms of this agreement, such party may be declared in default. 14. Remedies. In the event a party has been declared in default, such defaulting party shall be allowed a period often (10) days within which to cure said default. In the event the default remains uncorrected, the party declaring default may elect to (a) terminate the Agreement and seek damages; (b) treat the Agreement as continuing and require specific performance; or (c) avail himself of any other remedy at law or equity. If the non -defaulting party commences legal or equitable actions against the defaulting party, the defaulting party shall be liable to the non -defaulting party for the non -defaulting party's reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred because of the default. 15. Binding Effect. This writing, together with the exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and shall be binding upon said parties, their officers, employees, agents and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the respective survivors, heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of said parties. 16. Law/Severability. The laws of the State of Colorado shall govern the construction, interpretation, execution and enforcement of this Agreement. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement. 17. Special Provisions. [Optional] Special provisions or conditions relating to the services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement are set forth in Exhibit "_", consisting of ( ) page[s], attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO By: James B. O'Neill II, CPPO, FNIGP Director of Purchasing & Risk Management DATE: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Assistant City Attorney [Insert Professional's name] or [Insert Partnership Name] or [Insert individual's name] Doing business as [insert name of business] By: Title: CORPORATE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT Date: ATTEST: Corporate Secretary (Corporate Seal) P1 01 7Analysis of Alternatives for the Upgrade and/or Replacement of the City's Existing Parking Access and Revenue Control System Purpose of the project: The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, will upgrade and/or replace the existing access and revenue control equipment and software in two parking structures because the current system is outdated and requires considerable maintenance; and the existing system does not offer the latest features and technology advances which can enhance the City's parking operations. The City wants to investigate new technologies that have become available since we purchased the existing system eight years ago. We are interested in using technology to enhance our operations and do our business better. We want to provide the best possible service to our customers as they enter, park, and exit the parking structures. We want to be able to offer and charge for flexible parking products, and have a method for auditable revenue control and accountability. We are interested in an analysis that shows the pros and cons of various alternatives as well as cost estimates for different solutions to accomplish these objectives. Description of existing conditions: The City has two parking structures: the Civic Center Parking Structure (CCPS) located on the corner of LaPorte Avenue and Mason Street, and the Old Town Parking Structure (OTPS) on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Remington Street. These two structures have an eight - year -old functioning parking access and revenue control system (although the system does have problems.) CCPS description: There are two staffed booths, one on LaPorte Avenue and one on Mason Street. Each booth has an entry lane, an exit lane, and a center reversing lane that can be changed from entry to exit. The entry lane and reversing lane have transient ticket dispensers and proximity card readers, with loop detectors in the pavement. The exit lane has a proximity card reader and loop detector. The structure has 903 spaces on five levels. The structure currently accommodates both hourly (transient) and permit parking. The hourly (transient) customers may park anywhere in the structure. The transient rate is fifty cents per hour with first hour free. If a person has lost their ticket, they pay from 6:00 a.m. (Some savvy overnight parkers have learned that they can save money by claiming they lost their ticket, thus paying only from 6:00 a.m. rather than paying for their full overnight stay.) We sell two kinds of permits: a Full -Service permit that allows the vehicle to park anywhere on levels 2-5, and a Rooftop permit that allows the vehicle to park on level 4-5 but not under cover. (Part of level 4 is under cover and part is not.) We do not have very much control over the different permit types. For example, if a Rooftop permit holder decides to "cheat" and park on levels 2 or 3, we would have a hard time preventing it. Both Full -service and Rooftop permits also may be sold as "car pool" permits where up to three people can share a permit. Permit holders are guaranteed a place to park Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permit holders also may access and use the structure 24/7 for no additional charge but are not guaranteed a place to park outside of business hours. Hourly parkers are not guaranteed a place to park. Our structures have never been so full that the competition between hourly and permit parkers has been a problem, but that could be an issue we need to deal with in the future as the structures get busier. Booths are attended from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Saturday. Exit gates are placed in the "up" position when the booth attendants go off duty, and are placed in the "down" position the next morning at 8:00 a.m. except for Sunday. All gates are in the "up" position on Sunday and the booths are not attended. OTPS description: The Old Town Parking Structure has one attended booth on Remington Street with one entry lane and two exit lanes. The structure also has an entry lane on Mountain Avenue. The entry lanes have transient ticket dispensers and proximity card readers, with loop detectors in the pavement. The exit lanes have proximity card readers and loop detectors. The exit lane adjacent to the booth is primarily for transient customers to pay. The other exit lane is not adjacent to the booth, and is only for proximity card holders to exit. The structure has 323 spaces on four levels. Like the CCPS, the OTPS currently accommodates both hourly (transient) and permit parking. The transient information for the OTPS is the same as the information presented above for the CCPS. We sell the same kinds of permits in the OTPS that we sell in the CCPS. The only difference in the OTPS permit information from the information presented above in that Full Service permits may park on levels 2-4 and Rooftop permits may only park on level 4. Everything else is the same as CCPS. In the OTPS, the attended hours are the same as in the CCPS except that the starting time on Monday through Friday is 9:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. Everything else is the same. General Description Information: Both structures use Amano gates, ticket dispensers, proximity card readers, cash registers and validators. All of the equipment was installed 8 — 9 years ago, and has had regular routine maintenance over the years. Some parts have been repaired or replaced as needed. The system uses McGann access control software which resides on a central computer in the Parking Services office and is connected to the structures via intranet. The McGann software interfaces with the Amano equipment. Vendor Requirements: Experience. The successful vendor must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 10 (ten) years of consulting experience in the parking industry, including documented specific familiarity with parking access and revenue control systems and work on at least five different projects involving parking access and revenue control systems. 2. Excluded vendors. Vendors that manufacture, provide, service, or resell parking access and revenue control equipment or software will not be permitted to respond to this RFP. The City is interested in an impartial, unbiased analysis of alternatives, and we feel that this can only be obtained by working with a vendor who does not have a vested interest in, or profit potential from, their recommendations. 3. Time frame. The successful vendor must be able to begin work on this project within three weeks of notification of award of contract, and must be able to complete all work requirements and deliverables within twelve weeks of commencing work. Review and Assessment: Professional firms will be evaluated on the following criteria. These criteria will be the basis for review of the written proposals and interview session. The rating scale shall be from 1 to 5, with 1 being a poor rating, 3 being an average rating, and 5 being an outstanding rating. WEIGHTING QUALIFICATION STANDARD FACTOR 2.0 Scope of Proposal Does the proposal show an understanding of the project objective, methodology to be used and results that are desired from the project? 2.0 Assigned Personnel Do the persons who will be working on the project have the necessary skills? Are sufficient people of the requisite skills assigned to the project? 1.0 Availability Can the work be completed in the necessary time? Can the target start and completion dates be met? Are other qualified personnel available to assist in meeting the project schedule if required? Is the project team available to attend meetings as required by the Scope of Work? 1.0 Motivation Is the firm interested and are they capable of doing the work in the required time frame? 2.0 Cost and Do the proposed cost and work hours compare Work Hours favorably with the project Manager's estimate? Are the work hours presented reasonable for the effort required in each project task or phase? 2.0 Firm Capability Does the firm have the support capabilities the assigned personnel require? Has the firm done previous projects of this type and scope? Reference evaluation (Top Ranked Firm) The project Manager will check references using the following criteria. The evaluation rankings will be labeled Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. QUALIFICATION STANDARD Overall Performance Would you hire this Professional again? Did they show the skills required by this project? Timetable Was the original Scope of Work completed within the specified time? Were interim deadlines met in a timely manner? Completeness Was the Professional responsive to client needs; did the Professional anticipate problems? Were problems solved quickly and effectively? Budget Was the original Scope of Work completed within the project budget? Job Knowledge a) If a study, did it meet the Scope of Work? b) If Professional administered a construction contract, was the project functional upon completion and did it operate properly? Were problems corrected quickly and effectively? Scope of Work / Deliverables In general, the City would like an analysis of alternatives and a specific recommendation to answer the question "What is the best way to continue to provide access and revenue control for our two existing parking structures for the next five to ten years." With that said, there are various operational, social and political constraints that must be considered. We are interested in obtaining an outside, unbiased, straightforward opinion that considers these constraints, factors in all the relevant information about existing conditions and available alternatives, and delivers a recommendation that we can use to proceed with the upgrade and/or replacement of our existing system. The steps and deliverables outlined below are meant to be suggestions about how we feel this project could be structured. However, we do not want to dictate the specific steps that a vendor will need to take to complete this project. In fact, we would like to see some original thinking and new ideas. The steps below are our initial thoughts that can be used as insight into our expectations, but if a vendor feels there is a different approach we should consider, we would like to see that in the proposal. In other words, we would like to see proposals that enhance, modify, expand upon, or even replace the methodology that we have come up with (below) if that seems appropriate to the vendors who are responding to this RFP. Suggested steps for the awarded vendor for this project: 1. Conference call and project kick-off: We envision a 1-2 hour call between City staff and the vendor's project manager and principle representative to discuss the project objectives, time line, and deliverables. The purpose of this call is to insure that all parties involved have a clear understanding of what is needed and how to proceed. 2. Initial on -site visit: We anticipate that the vendor's project manager will need to visit Fort Collins to gather information, establish a familiarity with all aspects of our existing system and operations, and visit with key people who have a stake in the outcome of any changes we may make to our parking access and revenue control system. During this visit, we would like the vendor's assistance to brainstorm and identify the various constraints that were mentioned above, including things like how this project could affect existing employees, impacts on existing and new customers, potential political concerns, things that City management may need to know, etc. We also would like to brainstorm the criteria that will be used to filter alternatives and determine what system and approach will be best for Fort Collins. We would like to have the vendor interview several key people during this visit to get their feedback and expectations about the project. We see these as short, (probably 15 - 30 minutes) intense meetings with busy people to give them an opportunity to give the vendor a flavor for local issues and concerns. Our suggestions for people to meet with include: • Executive Director of City of Fort Collins Transportation Services • Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority • Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association • One or two prominent downtown business owners • Operations Services Director (who is in charge of building maintenance) • A representative from the City's Information Technology staff • A representative of the City's Purchasing Department • A randomly selected permit user of the parking structures • A randomly selected hourly (transient) user of the parking structures City staff will arrange and help facilitate these brief meetings. During the initial conference call or in the early part of the initial on -site visit, we could discuss what we hope to learn from each of these people. 3. Prepare an assessment memorandum: • This memo would include: • The vendor's understanding of existing conditions, constraints, and issues • The vendor's understanding of the City's objectives and requirements • Identification of potential hurdles, stumbling blocks, or problem areas • - A list and explanation of the evaluation criteria that will be used to develop a recommended system and approach for the final recommendation A brief conference call would probably be desirable at this point to insure that the City understands the memo and that the project is proceeding as expected. 4. Prepare an analysis -of -alternatives memorandum*: This memo would include: • Identification of the various systems and technologies that are available to perform parking access and revenue control. • A side -by -side matrix that compares the characteristics and features of the various systems identified in the previous step. • General pros and cons of the alternatives. • Pros and cons of the alternatives in light of specific conditions in Fort Collins. • Identification of a "short-list" of 3-4 alternatives that might be feasible for implementation in Fort Collins. • Cost estimate to purchase, install, and implement the alternatives on the short- list. *As mentioned in #3 above, a conference call to discuss this memo would be desirable. 5. Prepare a final recommendation memorandum: This memo would include: • Identification of a preferred system and approach to meet the City's parking structure access and revenue control needs for the next five to ten years. • A list of steps, processes, and procedures that should be followed to implement the recommended system, along with an expected timeline. • Identification of any issues, hurdles, or problems that might be expected in the acquisition and implementation of the recommended system. 6. Cost estimate of project fee: Each proposing vendor should provide a cost estimate to provide the services and deliverables described in 1-5 above that includes: • Identification of key vendor personnel, their role in the project (who is going to do what), the extent of their involvement in the project (how much time will each person charge to the project), and their charge rate. • Identification and estimate of reimbursable expenses. • The profit rate and amount charged by the vendor above and beyond the personnel and reimbursable expenditures. • The total cost to perform the project and provide the deliverables. 6a. Please bid the cost of a separate, stand-alone item, to prepare a draft request for proposals (RFP) that would assist the City in purchasing the system identified in the final recommendation in #5 above. Note: the City may or may not wish to purchase item 6a. A decision about whether to purchase this item will be made within two weeks of the delivery of #5 above. 6b. Follow-up services At this time, the City does NOT anticipate a need for various potential services such as the development of specific procurement specifications; assistance in the solicitation, evaluation and award of a contract for a new system; oversight or review of the implementation and installation process for a new system; or inspection and certification of the completeness and readiness of the final implementation and installation of a new system. With that said, the City would like for proposing vendors to provide a separate bid of reimbursable expenditures and rates for key personnel who could be available on an ad -hoc basis in the event the City does need some of the additional follow up services noted above. 7. Assistance with review at the International Parking Institute conference and exposition: It is the City's intent to attend the International Parking Institute (IPI) national conference and exposition in May of 2006. The City feels this could be a useful opportunity to visit with various providers of parking access and revenue control systems, and to do this in the company of the successful vendor for this project. The City envisions a walk-through with Q&A on the exposition floor, followed by a de- briefing session. During the debriefing, we would discuss what we found by talking with the various providers, and how that information might factor into the final recommendation for this project. We feel that the walk-through and debriefing could be done in 2-3 hours. No additional deliverables would be required of the successful vendor (such as a summary of finding memo) for this phase of the project, nor does the City want to pay for a vendor to attend the conference. However, if a proposing vendor is already planning to attend the conference and is willing to do the walk-through and debriefing with the City, that should be noted in the proposal and the costs of the walk-through and debriefing should be included in the vendor's bid along with the other cost information requested in #6 above.) The availability or lack of availability of any proposing vendor for this phase of the project will not be used by the City in evaluating the successful vendor for this project. 8. Additional information: The following questions have been discussed among City Parking Services staff, and are representative of some of the issues we have encountered over the years. These questions do not necessarily have to be answered explicitly by the successful vendor, but the concepts in these questions should be considered in the formation of the final recommendation. Vendors may choose to propose that written answers to these questions will be provided, and may include the cost of providing these written answers in the bid information in #6 above. However, as with #7 above, the presence or absence of these written answers will not be used by the City in evaluating the successful bidder for this project. The primary purpose for including these questions here is to give prospective vendors an idea of some of the things City staff has been thinking about. a. If we just want to upgrade the equipment and software, and basically operate just as we do now, what options are available and what is the cost? b. What kinds of alternatives exist to the way we operate currently? (such as pay - on -foot, pay -by -cell -phone, RFID, video control, etc.) If we go to a different technology than we currently use, in what ways would we have to change our operations? C. Who are the different vendors that provide access control technology, and what are the differences in their products and approaches to access and revenue control? d. What are the pros and cons of attended booths versus non -attended parking structures? We want to consider this question from many different perspectives — political, social, revenue generation, revenue control, ease of access, customer satisfaction, safety, security, etc.