Title
Resolution Determining Accident Support Services International, Ltd., and Its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries to be the Only Source Practicably Available from which to Procure an Accident Reporting Center
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City of Hampton is partnering with Accident Support Services International, Ltd. (ASSI) to become one of the first jurisdictions in the United States to open a Collision Reporting Center. ASSI, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, are the only known provider of accident reporting services to localities in both the United States and Canada. Pursuant to the approval of an agreement, ASSI will establish and operate a Collision Reporting Center (CRC) in the City of Hampton, in an agreed upon location to provide collision reporting services to its citizens.
The CRC will handle crash reporting, insurance company notification and insurance estimation on the majority of vehicular crashes that occur in Hampton. The CRC will only handle property damage claims and will not settle or seek to resolve personal injury claims. Law enforcement in the City of Hampton will still respond to crash locations to provide traffic safety and assist citizens involved in crashes. Referral to the CRC will be strictly voluntary. Hampton Police will continue to investigate all crashes that involve injury, criminal activity, hazardous materials, and/or extenuating/unusual circumstances.
The Hampton Police Division has for some time encouraged the use of technology to enhance its mission and increase safety of both officers and citizens, and recognizes that ASSI establishing and operating a CRC in the City of Hampton, is in the best interests of the City and its citizens who are supported by police services.
Discussion:
See Background above.
Impact:
Collision Reporting Centers are funded solely by insurance providers and result in significant cost savings to those insurance providers by reducing overhead and fraud. There is no cost to the City of Hampton involved with the Collision Reporting Center. Citizens will benefit from the establishment of the CRC because they will receive professional streamlined customer friendly services and will only be required to travel to one location to report a crash to their insurance company. Likewise, the City of Hampton will also benefit through a reduction in staffing commitments to complete crash reports.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve Accident Support Services International, Ltd. as the sole source available in providing a Collision Reporting Center for the City of Hampton and authorize the City Manager, or her authorized designee, to negotiate and execute an agreement for accident reporting services with Accident Support Services International, Ltd. or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Body
WHEREAS, Accident Support Services International, Ltd. (“ASSI”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries provide accident reporting services to governments in the United States and Canada;
WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 46.2-373, requires every law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $1,500 or more to forward a written report of the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 24 hours after completing the investigation;
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Hampton has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City to enter into an agreement with ASSI or its wholly owned subsidiaries, to operate an accident reporting center in Hampton to assist in the preparation of accident reports and act as a clearing house for reporting on all such accidents that occur in the City;
WHEREAS, ASSI and its wholly owned subsidiaries are the only known provider of this service;
WHEREAS, it has for some time been the policy of the Hampton Police Division to utilize technology to enhance its mission and increase safety of both officers and citizens, and the Council recognizes that this action is in the best interests of the City and the citizens who are supported by police services; and,
WHEREAS, ASSI will provided these services at no cost to the City of Hampton;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMPTON, VIRGINIA as follows:
1. That the agreement for procuring an accident reporting center, may be negotiated and awarded to Accident Support Services International, Ltd., or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries as a “sole source” without competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation as set forth in Virginia Code Section 2.2-4303.E;
2. That the City Manager or her authorized designee is authorized to negotiate and execute an agreement for accident reporting services with Accident Support Services International, Ltd. or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries.; and
3. That the notice awarding the agreement to Accident Support Services International, Ltd., or one of its wholly owned subsidiaries shall be posted in a public place as required by Virginia Code Section
2.2-4303.E.