|
Back to Calendar
Return
|
| |
County Administrator's Report 10. 18.
|
| BCC Regular Meeting |
Budget & Finance Consent |
|
|
|
| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Purchase of Three ElDorado EZ Rider II Transit Buses - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director
That the Board take the following action regarding the purchase of three ElDorado EZ Rider II Transit Buses, to replace two 1999 Gillig Buses and one 1998 Gillig Bus, that have exceeded their useful lives and need to be replaced as part of the Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Capital Replacement Plan:
A. Approve the purchase of three ElDorado EZ Rider II Transit Buses, per the Contract provided; and
B. Authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order to Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., in the amount of $948,321.
[Funding: Fund 320, Federal Transit Administration Capital Projects Fund, Cost Center 340424, Object Code 56401] |
| BACKGROUND: |
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines require that all applications for financial assistance from FTA be submitted after a public hearing is held for the purpose of receiving comments from the public concerning the Grant Program of Projects.
Meeting in regular session on April 29, 2014, in a public hearing, the BCC approved Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) to receive grant funds for the 2014 FTA Grant # FL90-X848-00.
On September 4, 2014, the BCC approved Supplemental Budget Amendment #261 - 2014 FTA Grant FL90-X848-00, recognizing funds to be used for capital and operations as follows:
3- Replacement 30' Buses
1 - Replacement Bus >30'
5 - Bus Shelters
Bus Security Equipment
The project budget was developed in accordance with the latest Pensacola Urbanized Area Transportation Improvement Plan Update adopted by the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The budget for this grant application included the purchase of three ElDorado buses at the cost of $960,000. The actual purchase request for the three ElDorado buses is $948,321.
Acquisition of these vehicles shall be according to the attached State Contract. FDOT provides transportation providers with the Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) program so that public and private nonprofit transportation agencies can procure well-equipped, well-built transit vehicles at a reduced cost by means of centrally administered statewide contracts for vehicle procurement. The program ensures that vehicle procurements adhere to and are consistent with all applicable federal, state, and FDOT guidelines, requirements, industry standards, and certifications, as well as the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Best Practices Procurement Manual. The vehicle manufacturer's compliance with technical specifications is continually monitored by contracted line inspectors at each vehicle production site and at an FDOT vehicle inspection facility located in Tallahassee, Florida. With the volume of vehicles purchased through contracts established by TRIPS, transit agencies can take advantage of longer warranty periods, extended service after the sale, and training opportunities offered by both the vehicle dealers and component manufacturers, the TRIPS program is administered by the Center for Urban Transportation Research(CUTR) under an agreement with FDOT. The awarded grant was submitted for replacement of transit buses and it is imperative that the grant money be used for bus replacement due to the extreme aging of the existing fleet.
The need for the replacement of the three Gillig buses is justified in the capital replacement plan for ECAT (see attached items highlighted in red on Vehicle List). These buses have exceeded the useful life of 350,000 miles or ten years in age as defined by the FTA. New buses were selected for this purchase in order to obtain the warranties that are provided with new vehicle purchases. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was not an option on this purchase in order to obtain the warranties that are provided with new vehicle purchases.
Effective January 1, 1998, Grant Applications, Execution, and Grant Administration Progress Reports must be submitted electronically via the Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) System. Escambia County staff has filed the required FY14 Certifications and Assurances electronically with the FTA.
This purchase was not advertised on the website for 30 days because there are no local vendors. Allowing the purchase of the buses on the current contract will provide a savings of approximately $20,000 per bus. The current contract expires on 9/30/14 but an extension has been given for this particular purchase. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
| The FY 13/14 Capital Grant Application has been included in the approved FY 2014 County Budget. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| The required FY14 Certifications and Assurances have been filed electronically with the FTA. |
| PERSONNEL: |
| There is no impact to existing personnel staffing. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| N/A |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| N/A |
|
|
|
|