The Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department Director and Chief Procurement Office recommends that City Council approve an ordinance creating an Addendum to a Purchase Order between the City of Houston and Evolve Houston ("Evolve") to provide electric, eco-friendly, and on-demand shared ride services within multiple Houston Complete Communities. The proposed purchase order will provide funding in the amount of $281,000.00 to Evolve to fund services through Rye Enterprises LLC ("Ryde") from December 1, 2023 through and including July 31, 2024.
Evolve is a non-profit organization that aims to accelerate clean transportation through electrification. Evolve was created through a public-private collaboration in response to the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan. The City is a founding member of Evolve, along with the University of Houston, Shell Oil, NRG, and CenterPoint Energy.
Evolve’s Microgrant Program, launched in August 2022, provides funding in amounts ranging from $10,000 to as much as $15,000 to companies that provide a range of clean-energy solutions – including micro-transportation options that facilitate free access for residents to essential services at City facilities such as the City’s multi-service centers, libraries, community parks and pools. By tackling the first mile/last-mile commuting challenges, these micro-transportation options provide residents with access to fresh food and grocery stores, thereby enhancing community health and food security.
In June 2023, Ryde was the recipient of one of Evolve’s microgrants. That funding, coupled with funding from Council District Service Fund program for District D in August 2023, helped Ryde to launch free transportation services within District D for the past several months. The service has become so popular that the City now wishes to expand Ryde services into the other Complete Communities service areas. If approved, Ryde will provide electric, eco-friendly, and on-demand shared ride service Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., connecting residents in our vulnerable communities to nearby grocery stores, medical care, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, schools, and other essential services in the community.
This recommendation is made pursuant to Chapter 252, Section 252.022 (a) (7) (A) of the Texas Local Government Code for exempted procurements, " a procurement of items that are available from only one source, including: items that are available from only one source because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural monopolies.”
Fiscal Note
Funding for this item is included in the FY24 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
Estimated Spending Authority:
|
Department
|
FY 2024
|
Out Years
|
Award Amount
|
|
Administration & Regulatory Affairs
|
$244,628
|
$5,372
|
$250,000
|
|
General Government
|
$31,000
|
-
|
$31,000
|
Departmental Approval Authority:
_______________________________________ __________________________________________
Tina Paez, Director Jedediah Greenfield, CPO
Administration & Regulatory Strategic Procurement
Affairs Department Division