The Director of the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance to increase the maximum contract amount for the contract between the City of Houston and Rescued Pets Movement(RPM) for an additional $131,475 (from $3,960,000 to $4,091,475) for the additional transport and care of animals during and due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Since 2013, BARC has contracted with RPM to transport over 47,993 animals from BARC to shelters and rescue organizations in Colorado and across the United States.
Beginning March 27, 2020, BARC had to alter shelter intake procedures to provide a safe and healthy environment for City of Houston employees, citizens, and the animals. During this time the shelter reduced to two employee shifts, suspended volunteer activities, and started managing animal intake by appointment to maintain shelter operations while social distancing.
To support these efforts, BARC requested RPM increase their transport efforts to further reduce shelter capacity constraints. From March 27, 2020 to December 1, 2020, RPM pulled an additional 1,253 animals for transport, an average of 157 more animals pulled per month than before the pandemic. RPM’s efforts greatly helped BARC’s ability to provide a safe environment for employees and the general public throughout the COVID-19 outbreak in the Houston area.
As the pandemic continues its resurgence in Houston and the economic impact of the disease continues to affect the ability of animal owners to care for their pets, more animals may become homeless. Thus, BARC will be working with RPM and other rescue groups throughout the month of December on a “Home for the Holidays” initiative to collect these animals from the streets and provide foster and transport services for up to 500 animals during the month of December 2020.
The requested increase in spending authority will provide for the 1,253 additional transports that have already occurred during the pandemic, as well as the planned transport and foster initiative for the month of December.
M/WBE Subcontracting:
Zero-percent goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Disaster Note:
This item is related to the impact of COVID-19 and it is the City's intent to use other federal funding sources for eligible expenditures, namely the Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Tina Paez, ARA Director Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer, Finance