REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Director
Department of Transportation
BY: FRANK ADAM PETER, Fleet Manager
Department of Transportation
BRYANT KENNEDY, Fleet Operations Specialist
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the award of a one-year contract with an option for a one-year extension to Thermo King of Central California for the purchase of bus air filtration systems with installation into the FAX bus fleet for a total not to exceed $392,317.38. (Bid File 12501571)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the award of a one-year contract with an option for a one-year extension to Thermo King of Central California for the purchase of bus air filtration systems with installation into the FAX bus fleet for a total not to exceed $392,317.38. (Bid File 12501571)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express (FAX) seeks to purchase up to one hundred forty (140) bus air purification systems to be installed on the fixed-route bus fleet. This purchase is part of the FAX effort to improve service quality onboard FAX buses for our passengers and drivers. The systems will improve air quality on FAX’s buses and serve as a health benefit for passengers and drivers.
The purchase of the air purification systems will be based on award of a one-year contract with the option to extend for an additional year. An Invitation for Bid (IFB) was issued on February 24, 2025 via Bid File Number 12501571, which resulted in a single bid being submitted.
BACKGROUND
In an effort to improve the rider experience on FAX busses, the department researched the feasibility of onboard air purification systems and determined that it would be beneficial to have these systems installed onto the buses for the benefit of passengers.
These air purification systems can improve indoor air quality within a bus by eliminating airborne viruses, microbes, and harmful chemicals that are present in confined areas. In doing so, it will serve as a safety and public health benefit for our passengers and drivers by providing a safer and more pleasant environment onboard. This system has been proven to be 98% effective against airborne viruses to include SARS-CoV2 within 20 minutes of system activation. It also removes odor causing volatile organic compounds from the air.
On February 24, 2025, the IFB was issued on Planet Bids. The specifications were distributed to 16 different prospective bidders and bid opening was held on April 22, 2025. The single bid that was received was from Thermo King. Staff completed a responsive and responsible check as well as a single bid analysis, and confirmed that an award may be issued to Thermo King for the product and services as the lowest and only bidder. Proposed pricing was found to be in line with current market pricing for the systems as determined by an independent cost estimate.
It is the recommendation of FAX that City Council approve the award of this requirements contract to Thermo King of Central California.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 the award of this contract does not qualify as a “project”; therefore, it is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because federal funding precludes the use of geographical preferences.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund from this action. Expenses from this contract shall be funded primarily through FTA Program 5339 funds. FAX enterprise funds will make up the required local match. Sufficient appropriations were included and are available in the FAX FY2026 budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Sample Contract