ITEM 6-F
Council Meeting: March 7, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to authorize the Purchasing Agent to negotiate and execute a purchase order amendment with Insight Strategies Inc. in an amount not to exceed $41,000 for supervisory skills training.
INTRODUCTION
The report recommends that the City Council authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order amendment to cover the increased costs associated with adding employees from the Transit Development and Transit Administration Divisions to the training program.
BACKGROUND
Insight Strategies Inc. has been working with the Big Blue Bus to improve supervisory and
middle management skills of Department staff. Originally, the training program included
only staff from the Transit Services and Maintenance Divisions. An expanded program is proposed to include the Transit Development and Transit Administration Divisions.
As part of its Strategic Plan, the Big Blue Bus identified increased supervisory and middle management skills in the Transit Services and Maintenance Divisions, as being two tactics that the Department should pursue. A request for proposal (RFP) to provide these services was drafted and sent out to three firms with experience training motor coach supervisors. All three firms responded to the RFP, and after review of the proposals by Department staff, the proposal by Insight Strategies was found to be most responsive, covering all subjects required in the RFP. The cost of their proposal was $48,000.
The training includes basic coaching skills; responsibility and decision-making; building trust and gaining respect of other employees in the Department; conflict resolution and effective communication.
In December 1999, the Department initiated the training for the Transit Services and Transit Maintenance Divisions. The material covered in the program is also relevant to supervisors and managers in the Transit Development and Transit Administration Divisions of the Department. Therefore, the Department wishes to include these two Divisions in the training program.
In addition, as the training program proceeded, it was determined that some specific training for individual staff would be extremely helpful. Included in this training will be emphasis on techniques for evaluating employees, as well as communicating performance issues. It is expected that this training will help facilitate the Department
=s recent growth and shifting of responsibilities.BUDGETARY/FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The total cost of the program will be $89,000. Of this amount $48,000 has already been authorized by the Department in Account 41.654.5555210.10W. The additional $41,000 is available in Account 41.651.555210.41W.
RECOMMENDATION
City Staff recommends that City Council authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order amendment to Insight Strategies, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $41,000 for additional work in supervisory and middle management skill training.
Prepared by: John Catoe, Director of Transportation
Robert Ayer, Manager of Transit Services