| Date | Type | Memo |
|---|---|---|
| 03-04-2010 : | The new replacement contract 00310 has been awarded to Alaska Airlines. This contract is a single award due to the fact Alaska was the only bidder. Contract 00310 will be effective April 1st, with no break in contract coverage and the booking process with Alaska will remain the same as in the previous contract. | |
| 02-10-2010 : | The pre-bid conference for the new IFB 00310 will be held tomorrow at 1:00pm at the GA Building room 201. So far I have not received any questions regarding the bid, and have confirmed that both Alaska/Horizon and United plan to participate in the conference. | |
| 01-08-2010 : | I will be reviewing the IFB with Unit Manager Cheral JOnes next week and then sending the bid out for peer review. I anticipate releasing the bid within the next two weeks. | |
| 12-10-2009 : | At this time it appears that the best option is to allow the use of the colleges JP Morgan Chase Visa cards to be used on the new contract. We are also looking into requiring the airlines that bid to offer routes from Spokane to Seattle, currently the traveler must start their trip in Seattle to get the contracted rate. | |
| 11-04-2009 : | The Office of State Procurement is looking into the option of allowing other credit cards to be used by the colleges when the new contract is formed. Some colleges chose not to transfer over to the new US Bank State issued Visa card, so the option of allowing other card series to be accepted under the contract is a possibilty at this time. | |
| 10-07-2009 : | An IFB is in progress for the replacement contract of 13503. I am currently determining what city pairs are necessary to include in the bid. | |
| 09-09-2009 : | At this time one of the options being considered is to only include intrastate city pairs in the IFB as these pairs seem to be the most used and cost effective. The decsion on this is not final, a final decision should be reached in the next few weeks. | |
| 07-10-2009 : | The Office of State Procurement is evaluating the need/importance of this contract for the State of Washington as a whole. While this contract does offer cost savings on fully refundable flights it appears that there are many agencies that book off contract due ot the fact it is rare for a change/cancelation to be made on a ticket. It is not yet known wheather this contract will be re-bid or if another solution will be used. | |
| 05-15-2009 : | Updated the CCI to include original language as well as some administrative changes. | |
| 03-23-2009 : | At this time all fares for the upcoming contract term should be loaded into the system by both United and Alaska/Horizon. The new term is effective April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. | |
| 03-11-2009 : | It has been brought to my attention that United has not loaded the new fares at this time. I have contacted Tom Billone with United to see when the fares will be loaded. He is looking into it and will get back to me with an answer. | |
| 03-06-2009 : | The extensions are signed and have been sent back to both United and Alaska for their records. There has been some panic from customers because Alaska did not have the fares for the coming contract term loaded. I contacted Alaska on the 3rd and the fares are now loaded. | |
| 01-13-2009 : | I will be sending out the Extension and Amendment to both United and Horizon Air this week. I anticipate no break in coverage on this contract. | |
| 10-10-2008 : | Tony with Azumano called me regarding the language in the CCI that states that Alaska/Horizon does not extend pricing to political subdivisions. It seems there was a miscommunication when the contract was first established and as long as they use the State issued credit card matching the sequence they can infact use the contract. | |
| 09-19-2008 : | In reviewing the contract file I found that the max term date on this contract is 3/31/2010, therefore I will not rebid the contract this year. | |
| 09-10-2008 : | There is still some confusion from customers on how to tell if they booked a contracted fare, I have been directing them too the hot sheet that came out last month so that in the future they can reference the sheet. | |
| 08-08-2008 : | Due to the recent travel freeze a "hot sheet" has been constructed with instructions on how to know if you booked a government fare and also how to cancel these flights. I have received most agencies list of top city pairs and also received all city pairs traveled in 2007 from Alaska/Horizon and United. I will start working on the IFB within the next month. | |
| 05-06-2008 : | Update the Airport code for Seattle/Reagan National Airport, DC from WAS to DCA. | |
| 04-08-2008 : | The Current Contract Information was updated to reflect the new one way fares for Alaska/Horizon. | |
| 03-17-2008 : | It was brought to my attention that the language regarding fare availability was left out of the current contract information back in 2005. Upon investigation, the following language will be placed in the contract as it was originally a part of the contract, "All fares awarded herein shall be available on all tickets purchased during the contract period, including those purchased during the last month of the contract period for travel completed during the following month." This correction has been made and will be posted to the web 03/18/08. | |
| 03-17-2008 : | The twelve (12) month contract extension has been approved and is posted to the web. United was granted a 8.3% price increase. | |
| 02-27-2008 : | I have processed the paperwork for United's price increase, and the twelve (12) month extension for both contractors. I am awaiting approval. | |
| 02-21-2008 : | I have received all documents from both contractors. United has requested a price increase, and I am processing that now. I anticipate no break in coverage. | |
| 01-04-2008 : | I attempted to contact Alaska Airlines but was unsuccessful regarding the 2008 extension offer that was due 12/31/07. I will try again. | |
| 01-02-2008 : | I received an email dated 12/21/07 that United Airlines sent my request for extensio to Revenue Management for a decision. | |
| 11-27-2007 : | A twelve (12) month extension was sent to both Contractors with a response date of December 31, 2007. | |
| 09-10-2007 : | To date I have not received any vendor report cards, but they are not due until October 1, 2007. Barring substantial negative customer feedback, a 12 month contract extension offer will be extended to both contractors. This will be the final extension for this contract, and will be rebid in 2008. | |
| 08-13-2007 : | There were issues with non-contract fares showing up in GDS as contract fares. That issue has been resolved. I will request customer feedback in the next GA Bi-Weekly Broadcast with a response date of October 1, 2007. | |
| 08-13-2007 : | Alaska/Horizon has declined to add Seattle to Redmond, OR city pair on the contract. | |
| 07-10-2007 : | The University of Washington has requested Seattle to Redmond, OR be added to the contract. | |
| 06-05-2007 : | This contract has no new issues. | |
| 06-04-2007 : | Update a broken link to the Washington State Purchasing Cooperative. | |
| 04-13-2007 : | There have been no issues with this contract, and is working well at this time. | |
| 03-08-2007 : | Current Contract Information was updated today to include correction of pricing on two city pairs, to add Portland to Lewiston Idaho per Washington School for the Deaf to accommodate their student transportation needs, to update the new Internet Travel Services Provider link, and update the Office of State Procurement's alternate contact for this contract. | |
| 03-06-2007 : | Contract has been extended for twelve (12) months, effective April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008. Alaska/Horizon was granted a 2% price increase, effective March 1, 2007. US Airways chose not to extend, and United agreed to pick up their city pairs. There was no break in coverage. There is one final twelve (12) month extension available on this contract. | |
| 02-16-2007 : | I am in the process of extending the current contract for an additional twelve (12) months. The current contract expires March 31, 2007. I anticipate no break in coverage. United Airlines has agreed to pick up the US Airways city pairs, and rescinded their request for a price increase. Alaska/Horizon has requested a 2% price increase on their existing city pairs. I anticipate having the contract extension complete by March 1, 2007. | |
| 01-05-2007 : | I have received notification from US Airways that they do not wish to extend the contract. I am waiting for a response from Alaska/Horizon. | |
| 12-12-2006 : | I received notification that United Airlines does not wish to extend the current contract without a price increase. I agreed to process their request before the extension, but they decided they did not wish to extend. I will send the existing contractors an offer to pick up United's city pairs. I am requesting a response date of January 15, 2007. | |
| 11-09-2006 : | I have received many positive vendor report cards for this contract, and have sent Contract Amendment request for extension with a due date of December 15, 2006. | |
| 10-11-2006 : | Am awaiting vendor report card due date. | |
| 09-05-2006 : | Vendor Report Cards have been requested with a response date of 10/31/06. | |
| 05-10-2006 : | YCAWA" is the fare basis code for State of Washington unrestricted contract fares. No restrictions apply (i.e., no advance purchase necessary, no minimum length of stay, no refund restrictions, etc.) YCAWA fares are applicable for all available seats on a given flight in coach class. Contract carriers will not discriminate against any State travelers in favor of higher fare tickets paid by other travelers on any given flight on any given seat or block of tickets. | |
| 05-09-2006 : | Carpet Travel Service, Ltd. will assume Partners in Travel’s travel management services as of May 15, 2006. Partner’s in Travel’s Office Manager, Kellie Stanley, will come to work as Red Carpet Travel’s employee on May 15, 2006 and is very familiar with the State Agencies who have been booking their travel through Partners in Travel. Judi Rowand President/Travel Concierge/Cruise Counselor Red Carpet Travel & Cruises 3009 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane, Washington 99203 Phone 509-624-1319 Fax 509-624-3393 Email: judi@redcpt.com www.redcpt.com | |
| 03-10-2006 : | I asked Maryanne Hubbert of Alaska to provide me with a list of the seating capacity for the 16 flights each way for the Seattle/ Spokane city pair. In December 2005, the total capacity for all 32 flights (both ways) each day was 2956. As of March 2006, the capacity is 2642. This equals 314 fewer passengers each day. For more details, see the excel sheet on file. This is having an effect on agencies who book one or two days in advance because the flights become booked. | |
| 03-09-2006 : | Jon, Alaska Airlines has just announced it is suspending service between Seattle and Washington, Dulles Airport. The last flight will operate on Jun 4th, 2006. Maryanne Hubbert Manager of Pricing Alaska Airlines 206-392-5485 | |
| 03-02-2006 : | Effective 4/1/2006. All three contracted airlines will be extended for 12 months. The rates will be adjusted +4.8% in accordance with IFB. Alaska Horizon has 27 city pairs. US Airways has 37 city pairs. United Airlines has 107 city pairs. In the coming months, I will be working with contractors to add flights to Canada. Alaska currently has the city pair for Seattle/ Spokane. Recently, the airplane used for this route both ways was replace with a smaller airplane. I have heard from numerous agencies that the flights sell out weeks in advance, causing them to book off contract. I am working with Maryanne Hubbert of Alaska Horizon to find a solution to this problem. Currently, the Seattle/ Spokane city-pair is the most in-demand flight for State of Washington Employees. The Office of State Procurement Recognizes the urgency of this situation. | |
| 03-02-2006 : | For 2005 Air Travel Consumer Report January 2006 Key On-Time Performance and Flight Cancellation Statistics Based on Data Filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics by the 19 Reporting Carriers Lowest On-Time Arrival Rates 1. JetBlue Airways – 70.6 percent 2. Alaska Airlines – 71.2 percent 3. Atlantic Southeast Airlines – 72.9 percent (Alaska Airlines is a Washington State contractor) http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/dot037_06/html/dot037_06.html | |
| 03-02-2006 : | http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/bts005_06/html/bts005_06.html | |
| 02-21-2006 : | from [http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm] - Percentage change 12 months ended in December 2005 Transportation: 4.8% According to original IFB, 3.3.1C. pricing, this will be the baseline adjustment for which the contract extension will be based. The extension period being 4/1/2006 through 3/31/2007. | |
| 02-21-2006 : | The transportation index decreased 0.8 percent in December, largely reflecting a 2.6 percent drop in the index for gasoline. Gasoline prices declined for the third consecutive month--down 6.2 percent in December --and have fallen 25.1 percent from their peak level reached in September. As of December, however, gasoline prices were 16.1 percent higher than their level a year ago. The index for new vehicles decreased for the second consecutive month--down 0.1 percent in December. (As of December, about 70 percent of the new vehicle sample was represented by 2006 models. The 2006 models will continue to be phased in, with appropriate adjustments for quality change, over the next several months as they replace old models at dealerships.) New vehicle prices were 0.4 percent lower than in December 2004. The index for used cars and trucks also decreased 0.1 percent in December, but this index has risen 1.4 percent in the last 12 months. The index for public transportation declined 0.9 percent in December, reflecting a 2.9 percent drop in airline fares. Despite registering declines in four of the last five months, airline fares increased 6.4 percent in 2005, their first annual advance since a 5.9 percent increase in 2000. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm | |
| 01-26-2006 : | On 1/26/2006 I have requested the following CPE's: 13503, Discount Airfares, expires 3/31/2006, CPE due 2-20-2006 | |
| 01-13-2006 : | Per 01/13/06 telecon Tom Billone/United Airlines and Connie Stacy/General Administration, delete the international city pairs Seattle and Portland to San Jose, Costa Rica as service is no longer available. Also deleted Neva Peckham as Office Assistant contact person. | |
| 11-15-2005 : | Continuing with the Alaska/Horizon EasyBiz Pilot Program. Recevied first of three feedbacks from participants. Overall consensus is positive, but the main drawback is having to visit another site to book car and hotel. A meeting is scheduled with Alaska/Horizon for November 17, 2005 to discuss the progress. | |
| 10-10-2005 : | Alaska/Horizon online booking pilot program began 10/3/05. The first feedback request will be sent out on 10/31/05 with a response date of 11/4/05. There are nine (9) participants from five (5) different agencies. | |
| 04-13-2005 : | All fares have been loaded in GSA, and updated CCI is waiting for approval before posting to the web. | |
| 03-25-2005 : | Contract extension is complete with United, America West, and Alaska/Horizon picking up the Delta city pairs. New pricing is included. | |
| 01-04-2005 : | Proposed 12 Month Contract Extension Has Been Extended To The Current Airline Vendors. Vendors Have Been Offered The Oppurtunity To Add New Routes to The Current Contract: Upon Approval From OSP. | |
| 10-07-2004 : | Preparing Contractor Performance Evaluations and letters to carriers. This contract historically is bid every 1 or 2 years. | |
| 09-15-2004 : | Per vendor request, Big Sky Airlines has been removed from contract effective 09/11/04. | |
| 08-12-2004 : | Per Contractor request, updated United Airlines primary contact person and phone number. | |
| 08-04-2004 : | Contract working well. | |
| 07-09-2004 : | Correction: Seattle - is no longer a contracted city-pair to Achorage, Alaska. | |
| 07-09-2004 : | Contract is working well with pricing slightly below market. | |
| 06-18-2004 : | Administrative Change: New contact persons, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for Big Sky Airlines. | |
| 06-02-2004 : | Contract airfares continued to hold, despite rising costs in jet fuel. SPO to continue to monitor fuel pricing and be prepared for request for increase. | |
| 03-03-2004 : | Contract Awarded. Effective April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005. | |
| 01-28-2004 : | Amendment No. 2 sent to notify vendors of bid opening change to January 29, 2004. | |
| 01-14-2004 : | Amendment No. 1 sent to notify vendors to address questions raised by perspective bidders. | |
| 12-22-2003 : | Invitation For Bid Notification sent to vendors on December 22, 2003. |
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