| Recent DMV Initiatives Pertaining to the Operator
Retraining Program As explained above, DMV uses the services of two
outside, private providers for the curriculum and classroom instruction elements
of the ORP. Both of these organizations were retained by a former commissioner
in 1995 and 1996. These actions appear to have been taken consistently with the
provisions of Public Act 93-181, which authorized the commissioner of DMV to
certify "any other organization conducting such a program" to offer ORP, as an
alternative to its being conducted by staff of the agency. These certifications
were made without any formal public solicitations of proposals from potential
providers, since it did not appear that any other statutory requirements applied
to the acquisition of these services, at no direct cost to the state.
Present Commissioner Gary J. Filippo has directed
that DMV issue a public Request for Information and Proposals (RFI) for outside
providers for the ORP. In the late winter of 2003 and early spring of 2004, DMV
assembled a workgroup to draft the RFI document and make the necessary
arrangements to receive and evaluate proposals from any firms choosing to
respond, including the two current providers. The RFI was drafted in reference
to current statutory and regulatory requirements for the ORP, as well as with
the intent to solicit new ideas and to obtain subject matter expertise with
respect to possible program enhancements and improvements.
In June of 2004, the agency posted a legal notice
in six newspapers located throughout the state for such purpose. Subsequently,
the parties that notified DMV of their intention to submit proposals were
notified by letter that the RFI process was being temporarily postponed, as a
result of the discussions that have led to the present Report, and to the
possibility of substantial legislative changes to the ORP structure and/or
participation requirements.
Given the Commissioner's strong desire and
commitment to ensuring an open process for the provision of program services, in
the event that such outside resources continue to be necessary to conduct the
ORP or similar program, DMV has recently resubmitted the legal notice for the
RFI which has appeared in six newspapers located throughout the state on
December 22, 23, and 24, 2004. As stated in the public notice, DMV is currently
planning to accept information or proposals on or about April 1, 2005.
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