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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Katrina Boatright, Manager Senior and Disability Services
DATE: March 16, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Emergency Procurement for Interim Transportation Services with GoGo Grandparent for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval for an emergency procurement to extend transportation services with GoGo Grandparent for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in order to maintain uninterrupted transportation services for eligible seniors and individuals living with disabilities while the City conducts a new procurement process to secure a long-term service provider.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program, administered by the Seniors and Disabilities Services Division, provides transportation assistance to Aurora seniors and residents living with disabilities, helping them maintain independence and access essential services such as medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, employment and educational sites, and other community resources.
The CARS program was originally developed by Seniors and Disabilities Services Division Manager Katrina Boatright following a series of listening sessions and collaborative conversations with community organizations and service providers throughout Aurora. Through these discussions, the City learned of a significant transportation gap affecting seniors and individuals living with disabilities whose needs could not be met through existing transportation programs due to geographic limitations, eligibility restrictions, cost barriers, or limited service capacity.
In response, the City established CARS as a transportation coordination program designed to connect eligible residents with reliable rides to essential destinations. The program operates through a community partnership referral model, where identified community organizations refer clients who require supplemental transportation support. This approach ensures the program works collaboratively with existing service providers rather than duplicating their services, instead filling critical transportation gaps that other programs are unable to address.
For many participants, CARS serves as a vital mobility resource, enabling them to remain active in the community, maintain independence, and safely access healthcare, food, and other daily necessities. The program supports the City’s broader commitment to accessibility, aging in place, and improving quality of life for vulnerable residents.
GoGo Grandparent served as the transportation vendor for the CARS Transportation Program during 2025. In Fall 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a transportation vendor for the 2026 program year. The RFP process resulted in one proposal submission. While the City worked internally to review the proposal and negotiate contract terms consistent with the requirements of the RFP, GoGo Grandparent was asked to temporarily continue providing transportation services on a month-to-month basis in order to avoid disruption of service to program participants.
DISCUSSION:
The City followed standard procurement procedures by issuing a competitive Request for Proposals to identify a vendor for the 2026 program year. The need for interim services arose only after the contract review and negotiation process concluded without an agreement that met the City’s operational and contractual requirements.
Following review and internal discussions regarding contract terms and program requirements, the City determined that it would not move forward with a long-term agreement with the selected applicant from the RFP process.
Because the CARS Transportation Program provides essential transportation services for seniors and residents with disabilities, any interruption in service would create hardship for residents who rely on the program to access medical care, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other daily needs.
Staff is therefore requesting approval of an emergency procurement to secure interim transportation services with GoGo Grandparent while the City reissues a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) and completes the procurement process necessary to identify and onboard a long-term vendor.
A six-month interim period is being requested to allow sufficient time for the City to relaunch the RFP, receive and review proposals, conduct evaluations and interviews with potential vendors, and complete the selection process. If a new vendor is selected, additional time will be needed to onboard the provider and integrate operations with the City’s existing program structure, community partners, and program participants.
Allowing adequate time for vendor onboarding and program integration will help ensure a smooth transition of services and avoid disruption to residents who rely on the CARS Transportation Program for essential mobility.
GoGo Grandparent is the most practical interim provider because it most recently served as the City’s transportation vendor for the CARS program and is already positioned to continue services without interruption while the City completes the new procurement process. Authorizing interim services will allow the City to complete the procurement process responsibly while ensuring that seniors and residents with disabilities do not experience a disruption in essential transportation services. Funding for the continuation of services is available within the Seniors and Disabilities Services Division budget under Account No. 215-1372-440.50-80.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this resolution will ensure continuity of transportation services for Aurora seniors and residents with disabilities who participate in the CARS Transportation Program.
The program plays a vital role in supporting mobility, independence, and equitable access to essential services. Maintaining uninterrupted service will help residents continue accessing medical care, groceries, pharmacies, and other daily necessities while supporting the City’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and helping residents safely age in place.
Reliable transportation is widely recognized as a key social determinant of health. Programs like CARS help residents maintain access to preventative healthcare, medications, groceries, and essential services, which can reduce isolation, prevent health crises, and support residents in safely remaining in their homes and community.
For many participants, access to transportation is the difference between isolation and connection, dependence and independence. Programs like CARS help preserve the dignity of residents by ensuring they can continue participating in daily life and accessing the services they need to remain healthy and engaged in the community.
Funding for this emergency procurement is available within the 2026 budget for the Senior and Disability Services Division in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the resolution authorizing Emergency Procurement with GoGo Grandparent to provide interim transportation services for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00, while the City reissues a competitive Request for Proposals and secures a long-term vendor.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing Emergency Procurement for Interim Transportation Services with GoGo Grandparent for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program provides transportation assistance to seniors and residents with disabilities in order to support access to essential services and promote independence; and:
WHEREAS, CARS helps address a critical transportation need within the community by connecting eligible residents with reliable transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential destinations; and
WHEREAS, GoGo Grandparent served as the transportation vendor for the CARS Transportation Program during 2025; and
WHEREAS, in fall 2025 the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a transportation vendor for the 2026 program year; and
WHEREAS, the RFP process resulted in a proposal submission and the City conducted internal review and contract discussions regarding the proposed agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City subsequently determined that it would not move forward with a long-term agreement with the selected applicant from the RFP process; and
WHEREAS, the City must now reissue a competitive Request for Proposals to identify a long-term transportation vendor for the CARS Transportation Program; and
WHEREAS, interruption of CARS Transportation Program services would create hardship for Aurora seniors and residents with disabilities who rely on the program for essential transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, emergency procurement is necessary to secure interim transportation services with GoGo Grandparent while the City completes a new competitive procurement process; and
Whereas, funding for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program is available within the approved City budget under Account No. 215-1372-440.50-80, which will be used to support the continuation of transportation services under this emergency procurement in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: authorizes Emergency Procurement with GoGo Grandparent to provide interim transportation services for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Transportation Program through August 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor, or his designee, is authorized to extend the interim service agreement with GoGo Grandparent through December 31, 2026, if unforeseen delays occur in the Request for Proposals process, in order to ensure the continued operation of the CARS Transportation Program without disruption to residents.