NEWS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING IN-VEHICLE CAMERA SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

The rules of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (“TLC”) allow livery vehicles and individually owned and operated taxicabs to install an approved in-vehicle camera system for driver safety. The in-vehicle camera system is an alternative to the required partition.

This Request for Information (“RFI”) seeks to identify if:

1. There are options to reduce the current cost of the in-vehicle camera systems required by the TLC. Since the enactment of the rule in 2007, the cost to vehicle owners for the in-vehicle camera system and its installation has averaged $800.
   
   
   
2. Any options to the existing in-vehicle camera systems are available that would be an improvement over existing technology. These options must meet and\or exceed current TLC specifications and requirements.
   
   
   
3. Current TLC specifications and requirements should be improved upon.
   

Note: Options provided under Item 2 should include an estimated cost for the unit and its installation as well as technical specifications to allow for cost benefit analysis and comparison to existing systems. TLC understands that costs are estimated and not final, and are subject to change.

What should responders focus on for this RFI?

The price for purchase and installation of in-vehicle camera systems for liveries and taxicabs has remained relatively constant over the last three years. Responders, therefore, are specifically invited to present ideas for increasing competition or otherwise reducing prices while still complying with TLC’s specifications and requirements. Responders may also submit ideas that improve upon TLC’s specifications and requirements.

What is the size of the in-vehicle camera system market in NYC?

The TLC currently licenses about 20,000 livery vehicles, the large majority of which use an in-vehicle camera system.
The TLC also licenses 13,237 taxicabs, of which 5,573 are allowed to use an in-vehicle camera system. The TLC is currently aware of only four commercially available models of an in-vehicle camera system that meets our specifications. Forty-seven businesses currently qualify as installers.

What do TLC in-vehicle camera system specifications cover and where to read them?

TLC’s current specifications for the in-vehicle camera system cover the wiring and electrical connections, the recording unit, tamper-resistance, image quality, image capture linked to specific events, image access, and installations. The complete list of specifications can be read in the TLC Taxicab Specifications Section 3-03 (e)(3)(v) of our rules. See http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/specrules.pdf for the text of the rule.

TLC invites interested parties to submit:

1. Suggestions, proposals, or alternatives to approved camera models and installers that bring down the cost of purchasing and installing an in-vehicle camera system, and at the minimum, comply with TLC’s specifications and requirements.
   
   AND/OR
   
   
2. Suggestions, proposals, or alternatives that improve upon TLC’s current in-vehicle camera specifications.

All suggestions, proposals, or alternatives should be submitted by July 9, 2010 to:

Adrian Gonzalez
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
40 Rector Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10006
CameraRFI@tlc.nyc.gov

TLC staff is available to meet with interested parties to further explore proposals submitted, or to discuss proposal ideas prior to submission. Please contact Adrian Gonzalez at
212-676-1023 or Adrian.Gonzalez@tlc.nyc.gov

TLC Approved and Non-approved Cameras

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/approved_not_approved_cameras.pdf

Disclaimer

It should be understood that this RFI will not result in any type of procurement for any system or for any goods and services at this time. This RFI does not represent a commitment on the part of the City to enter into any type of agreement with the companies, groups, or individuals that choose to respond. The information provided by respondents will not be used by the City to pre-qualify respondents or in any other way determine eligibility for the purposes of any procurement that may be undertaken in the future.

Vendors should note that no contract will be awarded pursuant to this RFI. Likewise, submission of a response to this RFI will not enhance any vendor’s chances to be included in any preferred vendor’s list.

No responses to this RFI will be confidential, proprietary,
or non-null pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law, Public Officers Law Article 6 Sections 84-90.