Call Box Maintenance and Improvements Request for Proposals:

1. APPROVE the scope of work for the request for proposals for call box maintenance and improvements, subject to counsel approval;
2. AUTHORIZE staff to publish the request for proposals and return to the Board of Directors with a recommendation for approval of a consultant, including the final scope of work;
3. APPROVE the use of Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways funds for call box maintenance and improvements; and
4. AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to take such further actions as may be necessary to fulfill the intent of the program, including modifications that do not significantly alter the scope of work.

The Service Authority for Freeways and Expressway (SAFE) program provides free emergency telephone services to stranded motorist through call boxes.  The program is a joint effort between the California Department of Transportation, the California Highway Patrol and the Transportation Agency.

In Monterey County, a system of 190 call boxes allows motorists to request roadside assistance along the following routes: State Route 1, State Route 68, State Route 156, US Highway 101, Jolon Road (G14, G18), and Arroyo Seco Road / Carmel Valley Road (G16).  Since the program’s inception in 1999, many system improvements have been implemented, including improved accessibility for disabled motorists, enhanced system coverage, and faster response to call box calls.  The call box system has also completed upgrades for digital service conversion, and speech and hearing impaired capability.  In February of 2014, the Transportation Agency entered into a three-year maintenance and improvement contract. The contract was renewed for an additional three years in 2017 and expires on June 30, 2020. 

Call box maintenance, both preventative and corrective, includes items such as repairs due to knockdowns or vandalism, temporary removals due to construction, permanent removals, maintaining boxes in good working order and updating boxes to 4G cellular service.

The proposal review process will evaluate responsive maintenance providers according to several criteria, including: qualifications and experience, staffing and organization, work plan and proposal quality.  Completed and responsive proposals will be screened and rated by an evaluation committee.  The selected maintenance provider is expected to begin service in July 2020 after the completion of the previous contract, resulting in no gap in service.

The proposed schedule for the Request for Proposals is as follows: