It’s difficult to keep tabs on the dastardly media.

Metro has made sure they're better able to do so by hiring Video Monitoring Services of America to tape radio and TV segments in which the transit agency has a starring role. For the last couple of years, the transit agency has entrusted the New York City-based firm with keeping up with broadcasts concerning Metro.

The firm’s two-year $16,500 contract expired in March, and Metro intends to continue the service and issued requests for proposals last month, said Raequel Roberts, a Metro spokeswoman.

Roberts said it’s impossible for Metro staff members to watch and listen to every radio and TV broadcast given their frequency. Any segments related to Metro can be copied and if necessary shown to Metro’s board or archived for later use, Roberts said.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will accept proposals until 4 p.m. Monday.

The service, Roberts insisted, has nothing to do with the increase in media attention now that Metro has moved forward with its light-rail project.

“It has nothing to do with Metro Solutions,” she said. “This is a mechanism for us to monitor coverage.”