Title
Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Hybrid Electric Buses from New Flyer, Inc. from the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation Bus Contract
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: Various
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Libby James 373-2820
Contact 2 and Phone: Bruce Adams 412-6237
PURPOSE:
This Resolution authorizes the City to purchase Hybrid Electric Buses from New Flyer, Inc. from the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) Bus Contract.
BACKGROUND:
There is currently no statewide vehicle bid for heavy duty buses in the State of North Carolina. Thus, the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) developed an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation in partnership with the Cities of Burlington, Concord, Greensboro, and High Point for the purchase of heavy duty transit buses. The IFB specifically sought prices based on detailed specifications for 35-foot and 40-foot low-floor diesel buses and 35-foot and 40-foot low-floor hybrid electric low-floor buses for a five (5) year period. PART assumed the lead procuring agency role on behalf of the partnering members.
The procurement process spanned two (2) months and included a pre-bid conference, opportunity for clarification, and request for approved equals, sealed bid opening, and technical reviews from a panel of public transit professionals representing the local agencies participating in the IFB. A total of three (3) heavy duty bus manufacturers participated in the solicitation and two (2) submissions (Gillig and New Flyer, Inc.) were received and publically opened on September 30, 2014.
New Flyer, Inc. submitted the lowest price in accordance with the detailed specifications. PART's Board of Trustees authorized the execution of a contractual agreement with New Flyer of America, Inc. for the manufacturing and production of 35-foot and 40-foot heavy duty diesel and hybrid electric buses. Each agency involved in the IFB solicitation will issue their own purchase orders with the contractor at the submitted bid price.
The City of Greensboro is proposing to purchase five (5) 40-foot hybrid electric low-floor buses for use by the Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA) fixed route service. The purchase of these buses will allow GTA to continue efforts to replace old diesel buses that have exceeded the Federal Transit Administration useful life standard of 12 years/500,000 miles with hybrid electric models.
At their March 25, 2014 meeting, the GTA Board approved the projects. A resolution to authorize purchase of the buses from New Flyer, Inc. from the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) bus contract was adopted at their March 24, 2015 meeting.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Budget ordinances establishing funding for the purchase of these buses were approved at previous Council meetings. Funding was approved as follows:
FY 2013 FTA Section 5339 grant adopted on August 4, 2014 (565-4592-01)
$535,000 (83%) Federal Grant
$109,578 (17%) Local Funds
$644,578
FY 2014 FTA Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant adopted on January 6, 2015 (567-4502-01)
$2,090,000 (83%) Federal Grant
$428,072 (17%) Local Funds
$2,518,072
FY 2014 FTA Section 5339 grant adopted on March 17, 2015 (567-4504-01)
$552,878 (83%) Federal Grant
$113,240 (17%) Local Funds
$666,118
Total funding equals $3,828,768. The cost of five 40-foot hybrid electric buses from New Flyer will be $3,312,756. The remaining funding will be used to assist in the purchase of a sixth bus in FY 2015-2016.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Department of Transportation recommends and requests that City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing the City to purchase Hybrid Electric buses from New Flyer, Inc. from the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) Bus Contract.