Total Management of Dispatch, Towing, and Impound Svcs.

The City of Austin is soliciting competitive sealed proposals for total management of dispatch, towing, and impound services for the Austin Police Department under RFP 8700 ALD3050, with written questions due November 25, 2026 and proposals due December 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The solicitation includes an optional local business preference of up to 10 points and an optional small business preference of up to 10 points within its 100-point evaluation.

The scope covers automated dispatch systems, wrecker inspections, vehicle storage, impound processing, and auctions of impounded vehicles. Offerors must hold valid towing licenses and permits and post a bid bond of not less than $25,000. The awarded contractor must provide a $500,000 performance bond and a $400,000 payment bond within 14 calendar days of award notification. Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $500,000 per occurrence, business automobile liability of $500,000 combined single limit, third-party employee crime coverage of $500,000 per claim, property, workers' compensation, and cyber liability of $2 million per claim and $4 million annual aggregate. Awarded employers must complete City of Austin Wage Theft Training within 30 days of award.

Pricing is structured as a percentage of projected annual gross revenue. Bidders propose the gross revenue estimate and the percentage, which stays fixed for the life of the contract regardless of volume. Estimates derive from historical data in the Scope of Work, and impound and storage fees are set by ordinance. Revenue to the City carries 15 points, with the highest-revenue proposal receiving full points and others scored proportionally. Scoring is split as follows: system concept and strategy 25 points, operations 20 points, qualifications and experience 20 points, and revenue to the City 15 points.

The contract commences upon execution and continues until all obligations are performed, with extension options at the City's sole discretion. Offers remain valid for 180 calendar days after the closing date unless a longer acceptance period is offered. The offer sheet requires certifications on non-suspension or debarment, non-collusion, anti-discrimination, and several Texas Government Code provisions.

A non-mandatory pre-offer conference takes place November 20, 2026 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Offer opening follows at 3:00 p.m. on December 10, 2026.