Title
Heavy-Duty Zero to Low Emission Buses Contract - COOP 22-107 - Request for Award (Ordinance S-49249)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into contracts with three vendors: El Dorado National (California), Inc.; Gillig LLC.; and New Flyer of America Inc. to provide heavy-duty, zero- to low-emissions transit buses as needed by the Public Transit Department. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total value of the contracts will not exceed $102,021,451.
Report
Summary
This contract will provide heavy-duty transit buses, including zero- and low-emissions buses. The Public Transit Department (PTD) is seeking to procure various bus types, such as battery electric, hybrid electric, and hydrogen fuel cell electric. The cooperative contracts will support the Green Transit Technology Pilot Program for PTD, as directed by City Council. The Pilot Program will allow PTD to operate and evaluate a sub-fleet of heavy-duty buses that produce low or no emissions.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, standard competition was waived as a result of an approved Determination Memo based on the following reason: Special Circumstances Alternative Competition. On Nov. 17, 2021, City Council, in considering a bus-purchase agenda item for PTD, directed the addition of zero- and low-emission buses to the City's heavy-duty bus fleet. The Washington State Transit Bus Cooperative is available for use by the City and complies with all City procurement requirements for competition and price reasonableness. The cooperative contract also adheres to all necessary Federal Transit Administration regulations and certifications required for the use of federal funding.
Contract Term
The initial contract term will be for a two-year term, beginning in December 2022. Provisions of the contract include an option to extend up to an additional three years in one-year increments, if needed.
Financial Impact
The aggregate contract value, for all contracts combined, will not exceed $102,021,451 for the five-year aggregate term. Buses are funded 85 percent with federal funds and 15 percent with regional funds. Funds are available in the Public Transit Department Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.