REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director
General Services Department
BY: CLIFF TRAUGH, Assistant Director
General Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the award of a Sole Source Purchase Agreement with Beam Global regarding EV ARC charging systems:
1. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing an exception to formal bidding procedures and award of the Sole Source Purchase of seven EV ARC charging systems from Beam Global in the amount of $638,209 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. Approve the award of a Sole Source Product Purchase Agreement to Beam Global of San Diego, California for the purchase of seven EV ARC charging systems in the amount of $638,209 for the General Services Department
3. Authorize the General Services Department Director or designee to execute the agreement and all related documents
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a Product Purchase Agreement to Beam Global of San Diego, California for the purchase of seven EV ARC charging systems in the amount of $638,209 for the General Services Department; Adopt a Resolution authorizing an exception to formal bidding procedures and approving the sole source purchase of seven EV ARC charging systems from Beam Global (Subject to Mayor’s Veto); Authorize the General Services Department Director or designee to execute the agreement and all related documents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The General Services Department (GSD) is requesting approval to purchase seven EV ARC charging systems. These chargers will serve as off grid charging at the Municipal Service Center (MSC) for city vehicles. The units will be solar powered, with battery storage to capture the energy and disburse it when the charge is needed. These units will be purchased to create a first step toward a robust EV charging solution for the MSC. If approved, the EV ARC chargers will be purchased through a Sole Source exemption to the competitive bidding process.
BACKGROUND
In May 2025, the General Services Department issued a Tray Memo informing the City Council of the plan to comply with the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation. This regulation requires the City of Fresno to convert its medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleet from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) over the next several years. As this plan is implemented, infrastructure to charge newly purchased electric vehicles will need to be created. In September 2023, the Department of Public Works (DPW), applied for a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) grant to purchase EV Chargers to support City fleet vehicles. In January 2025, the General Services Department was informed that the grant was awarded to the City of Fresno and that the chargers would be available for use at the MSC.
Following extensive site and infrastructure evaluations, it was determined that solar and battery powered mobile EV charging units would provide the most efficient and immediate charging opportunity at the MSC. The new EV ARC charging system is the first and only autonomous, transportable, solar-powered electric vehicle charging system. The system measures 7.5' x 18' at the base and fits inside a standard parking space, without reducing available parking, while being ADA compliant. Each unit can generate and store enough solar electricity to charge up to 265 e-miles in a single day. By utilizing built-in battery storage, these units can charge electric vehicles during the day while the panels are generating power, or at night by pulling off the battery’s stored energy. The electricity produced from the solar panels is clean and renewable, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ICE vehicles and electric vehicles powered from the utility grid. The system can be deployed without any construction or electrical work and does not require civil or electrical engineering, foundations, trenching, electrical connections or upgrades.
The seven EV ARC systems will be purchased as new additional equipment, to begin providing a reliable charging source for the City’s fleet at the Municipal Service Center. Although the EV chargers are mobile and may be relocated, the terms of the grant require the EV chargers to remain at the MSC for a period of three years. By January 1st, 2026, the fleet of EV’s will grow by two heavy duty trucks and 10 Ford Lightnings at the MSC.
Beam Global is the sole manufacturer and exclusive provider of the EV ARC charging system. After comprehensive review of other products available on the market, GSD staff have determined that the EV ARC system is the only product that can be set up as a complete off grid charging solution to meet the City of Fresno’s EV charging needs. The total purchase price for the seven EV ARC charging systems is $638,209, which includes sales tax at 8.35% and shipping. The Purchasing Division has approved this contract and recommends Council to approve.
Additionally, the grant awarded to the City of Fresno identified the EV ARC system provided by Beam Global as the equipment to be purchased with the funding. While this can be changed, any further updates to the grant award would ultimately result in delays providing a reliable charging source for the growing EV fleet.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project” as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented due to GSD seeking approval of exception to the formal bidding process to award a sole source Product Purchase Contract to Beam Global.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general funds will be used to purchase these items. The $638,209 in funding to cover the purchase cost of the seven EV ARC charging systems has been included in the FY2026 adopted budget in the Public Works Department Capital Improvement Program. The project is funded by a federal grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
Attachments:
Sole Source Resolution
Grant Award
Quote
Product Purchase Contract
EV ARC Picture