AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-170R, approving a contract with Alliance Transportation Group Inc., through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program, to perform a Desktop Review of transit related programs to prepare for the Federal Transit Administration required audit, in the amount of $150,000.00; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: September 16, 2025
Department: Public Works
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $150,000.00
Account Number: 23006345-60130
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Click or tap here to enter text.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Mobility & Connectivity
Public Safety, Core Services & Fiscal Excellence
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Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☒ Transportation - Multimodal transportaion network to improve accessibility and mobility, minimize congestion and reduce pollution
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
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Background Information:
The purpose of this item is to award a contract to Alliance Transportation Group (ATG), LLC, through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) purchasing cooperative contract #CP04-20 for Community Planning Services. ATG will prepare the City’s transit program for the Federal Transit Administration’s Triennial Review by providing expert analysis of the City’s transit policies and procedures in the twenty-three (23) Triennial Review categories.
The City is scheduled to have a Triennial Review from the FTA in Fiscal Year 2026. The FTA Triennial Review is a comprehensive oversight review that the FTA conducts every three years of transit agencies that receive Urbanized Area Formula Program funds (49 U.S.C. §5307).
Here’s what the Triennial Review is and what it does:
Purpose:
- To ensure compliance with federal requirements across a wide range of areas.
- To help grantees improve management practices and remain eligible for federal funding.
- To identify technical assistance needs and provide guidance on best practices.
The review examines more than 23 key areas, including:
- Financial management and grant administration
- Procurement and contracting
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (nondiscrimination)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
- Safety and security
- Transit Asset Management (TAM) and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP)
- Planning and public involvement
- Drug and alcohol program compliance
This Desk Top Review is to engage a third-party consultant, ATG, to review all transit-related policies and programs to ensure compliance with current FTA regulations. ATG will also support staff during the Triennial Review process, including meetings and interviews with the FTA. Following the initial FTA review, ATG will assist staff in addressing any deficiencies identified.
The City previously contracted with ATG in 2022 to conduct a similar Desk Top Review in preparation for its first Triennial Review with the FTA. With ATG’s assistance, the City received only three findings—compared to the national average of six for that year. This was considered a very successful Triennial Review as expressed by FTA staff. ATG’s expert assistance was critical to the success of the 2022 Triennial Review.
The Local Government Code, Chapter 271, authorizes municipalities to participate in purchasing cooperative programs such as the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) purchasing cooperative. HGAC has awarded contract CP04-20 for Community Planning Services to Alliance Transportation Group, LLC.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.