The News Tribune broke the story initially, but what they didn't cover is that apparently Hertz is also interested in competing in the Tacoma car sharing market in addition to Zipcar. John Martin, from Hertz's Western Region Sales office, told TacomaTomorrow in an email that they are also interested in competing for the City's $350,000 federal grant for car sharing seed money.
A Request for Proposals or RFP will, as a matter of public process, be sent out from the City to solicit from the private sector, proposals for how to provide this service and how to best spend the money. This is an open process, so "Connect by Hertz" would also be able to compete for such funds.