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Change Order to Fund RTA’s Drug and Alcohol Program
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DESCRIPTION: Change Order to fund RTA’s Drug and Alcohol Program to ensure continuous services in compliance with FTA Drug and Alcohol regulations |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
To authorize the Chief Executive Officer to amend RTA’s contract with Innovative Risk Management Services to maintain the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Program in compliance with FTA Drug and Alcohol regulations.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is dedicated to maintaining a workplace environment free from the effects of illegal drugs or alcohol to protect the health and safety of our employees, citizens and visitors. In meeting this goal, the Board adopted the Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy (HC23) in 2021.
The RTA has maintained a successful drug and alcohol testing program that is compliant with FTA’s requirements. However, demand for testing is beginning to fluctuate and service rates are rising. Operating incidents, staffing changes, and other regulatory requirements have caused a significant shift in testing volumes and associated costs compared to the previous year with an average of $125,000 and higher for the agency. Staff is requesting authorization to amend RTA’s contract with Innovative Risk Management Services, its current Drug and Alcohol services provider under RFP # 2024-19, to increase the agreement value to the initial two-year value, to $155,000 per year.
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DISCUSSION:
Last year, the RTA entered into an agreement with Innovative Risk Management Services to provide drug and alcohol testing services. The contract amount was $95,000 for a contract term of two years. When the Board of Commissioners was unable to meet to consider the request, the CEO authorized $95,000 for the first year of the contract. This action was necessary to ensure no disruptions to safety-sensitive testing, employee compliance monitoring, or reporting requirements. To both cover all outstanding invoices (approximately $30,000) from the first year of services and authorize funding to for the second authorized year of the initial contract term, staff is asking for an amendment to increase the agreement value to $155,000 per year. The contract, as authorized, includes two, consecutive one-year options.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding will be made available from the following accounts:
Account number 01-7700-02-7110-167-00-00-00000-00000 (for the remainder of 2025); and
Account number 01-8900-02-7110-167-89-00-00000-00000 (beginning Fiscal Year 2026).
This is a combined increase of $60,000 from the original amount of $95,000 that was authorized by the CEO.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon Board approval, the purchase order for this service will be funded and the RTA will continue to maintain a fully compliant Drug and Alcohol Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2.RFP 2024-019 Drug and Alcohol Testing Services (1)
3. RFP 2024-019 Public Notice (1)
4. Scope of Work- Drug and Alcohol Testing Services
5. Innovative Risk Management Services-Unexecuted Contract
6. Procurement Summary - RFP 2024-019 Drug and Alcohol Testing Services (1)
7. Administrative Review Form RFP 2024-019
8. D&A Independent Cost Estimate (ICE) Form
9. Approved Change Order Routing Sheet
Prepared By: Shalome Q. Jenkins
Title: Drug and Alcohol Program Administrator., DER
Reviewed By: Michael J. Smith
Title: Chief Safety, Security & Emergency Management Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
9/19/2025
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer