Title
Purchase of COBUS Vehicles - Request for Award (Ordinance S-52668) - District 8
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a contract with COBUS Industries, LLC to purchase COBUS buses for the Aviation Department. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total cost of the contract will not exceed $5 million.
Report
Summary
The Aviation Department is seeking to purchase six COBUS buses for airport contingency and continuity of operations planning at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Since 2022, the PHX SkyTrain® has provided end-to-end passenger service from the Rental Car Center to the 44th Street Sky Train Station. When planned maintenance, irregular operations, and train outages occur, bus service is necessary to transport impacted customers between PHX facilities and maintain continuity of operations. Additionally, the COBUS buses are necessary to support PHX's airfield remote hardstand operations, which require transporting customers to and from remote aircraft and terminals via apron buses.
Procurement Information
According to Administrative Regulation 3.10, standard competition was waived as a result of an approved Determination Memo based on the following reason: Special Circumstances Without Competition. The Aviation Department currently has six COBUS buses to support the PHX's SkyTrain® contingency plan. The COBUS is a uniquely designed shuttle that can safely operate on airport airfields and transport large volumes of passengers. To meet increasing travel and passenger activity, PHX has expanded its contingency and remote aircraft hardstand programs. Procurement of additional COBUS passenger buses provides a cost-effective solution for transportation to and from existing terminal facilities.
Contract Term
The three-year term of the contract will begin on or about March 16, 2026. There are no options to extend the term.
Financial Impact
The cost of the contract will not exceed $5 million. Funding is available in the Aviation Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Location
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 2485 E. Buckeye Road
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Aviation Department.