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Title:
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Authorization to Purchase Six Advanced Design, Heavy-Duty, Low Floor, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Powered, Forty-Foot Transit Buses and Optional Equipment in an Amount not to Exceed $3,025,053.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the purchase of six (6) CNG powered
low floor, advanced design buses and optional equipment from New Flyer of
America, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $3,025,053. This amount includes
California State sales tax of $230,545 which the City will submit directly to the State
Board of Equalization, and a ten percent (10%) contingency to cover any unforeseen
expenses that might arise during production. A budget amendment is required to
appropriate the grant funds.
A Budget Amendment Requires a 4/5ths Vote.
BACKGROUND:
Culver CityBus is the first public transit provider in Los Angeles County to be 100%
alternative fuel compliant. Culver City is compelled to comply with the South Coast
Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) clean air rules for transit buses that
dictate the use of an alternative fuel over traditional diesel fuel. The City and the
Transportation Department have committed to the use of Compressed Natural Gas
as the fuel of choice for our fleet.
The Transportation Department’s fleet is comprised of twenty 1998 CNG powered
buses, twelve 2001 CNG powered buses, six 2003 CNG powered buses and eight
2004 CNG powered buses, all of which were manufactured by New Flyer.
Meeting Date: 03/17/08 Item Number: A-6
AGENDA ITEM: Authorization to Purchase Six Advanced Design, Heavy-Duty,
Low Floor, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Powered, Forty-Foot Transit Buses
and Optional Equipment in an Amount not to Exceed $3,025,053
Contact Person/Dept.: Paul
Condran/Transportation
Phone Number: (310) 253-6520
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification:
Master Notification List (03/12/08); New Flyer of America (03/10/08)
Department Approval:
Stephen Cunningham (03/06/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (03/11/08)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (03/12/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (03/12/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
In 2003, the Transportation Department designed, developed and assembled its own
set of specifications for the purchase of new buses. The Department followed all
mandated Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines through the procurement
process. On October 27, 2003, the City Council authorized a contract with New
Flyer of America for the procurement.
The contract was issued for a total of 100 new buses. This amount included the
eight buses being purchased at the time by the City, and “options” for an additional
92 buses over the five-year life of the contract. This quantity of buses satisfied our
current needs and allowed Culver City the option to place additional orders to meet
the projected future growth of the Department.
DISCUSSION
This purchase of six additional CNG powered buses is necessary for the expansion
of Culver CityBus transit service to include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) operations on
Sepulveda Boulevard, which will go into effect in January 2009. As the noted
procurement contract indicates, staff would like to exercise the option to purchase
six (6) buses at this time.
The Transportation Department already operates a complete fleet of New Flyer CNG
powered buses. Therefore, training, parts and other operational considerations that
come with fleet standardization will prove to be economically beneficial.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Sufficient grant funds to pay for the entire purchase have been obtained from the
following sources:
• Federal Transit Administration SAFETEA-LU earmark (80%): $2,420,042
• Los Angeles County Proposition C MOSIP funds (20%): $605,011
• Funding is also being sought through a Clean Transportation Funding grant from
the MSRC (Mobile Source Emission Reduction Committee) of the South Coast Air
Quality Management District. Our application is in the amount of $150,000, and, if
awarded, would offset a portion of the procurement costs identified above.
No General Fund monies will be used for this procurement.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a budget amendment to increase the Transportation Department budget
(20368300.732100) by $3,025,053 to appropriate the grant funds.
A Budget Amendment Requires a 4/5ths Vote.
2. Authorize the issuance of a purchase order in an amount not to exceed
$3,025,053 to New Flyer of America, Inc. for the acquisition of six (6) new CNG
powered forty-foot (40’), low floor, heavy duty advanced design transit buses and
optional equipment.
3. Issue a Notice to Proceed to New Flyer of America, Inc.
3. Authorize the City Attorney's office to review/prepare all necessary documents
and authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.