REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 6, 2018
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Interim Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
KRISTOPHER GREY, Project Administrator
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve award of a requirements contract to Urban Solar, Inc., an Oregon-based corporation, to purchase bus stop solar powered lighting in the amount of $547,703.19 (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a requirements contract in the amount of $547,703.19 to Urban Solar, Inc., to supply solar powered lighting for use at FAX bus stops located throughout the city and county of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FAX is seeking to procure solar lighting in order to increase customer safety and security while waiting at bus stops. This will be achieved by deploying solar lighting to locations not currently served with any form of lighting. FAX also intends to improve customer service by reducing the number of driver pass-byes that occur by having adequate lighting present for drivers to be able to see passengers waiting to board in the evening and early morning hours.
BACKGROUND
FAX seeks to increase security and safety at bus stops throughout the city and county of Fresno by adding solar powered security lighting to bus stops that do not have lighting. This will help deter crime and promote safety at bus stops in the evening and early morning hours. The addition of solar powered lighting will also reduce the number of pass-byes that occur from riders not being easily visible to bus drivers.
FAX intends to deploy two styles of solar powered security lighting. The first is a pole-mounted option that attaches directly to the top of bus stop sign poles. This option will have a push-button activation system, as well as the capability to be programmed to basic on/off. The second lighting option mounts to existing bus stop shelters. Both lighting options are capable of running for several days off of a single full charge.
A Notice Inviting Bids was posted on October 1, 2018, and advertised in the Fresno Business Journal. The Notice Inviting Bids was distributed to 11 building exchanges and directly to 13 prospective bidders. One (1) sealed bid proposal was received and opened in a public bid opening on October 16, 2018.
A primary factor that limited the number of responses was that many solar lighting manufacturers do not have their products listed and tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (i.e., Underwriters Laboratory). FAX uses this certification to help guarantee quality, performance, and safe components are being utilized and the products will perform as advertised once they are placed into service. The bid from Urban Solar, Inc., is comparable with historical pricing from similar agencies and is consistent with staff independent cost estimate.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
This is not a “project” for the purpose of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as federal funding is used for this purchase.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project has no fiscal impact to the General Fund. This requirements contract will be funded from State Prop 1B California Transit Security Grant Program (CTSGP) funds and FTA grants.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Cost Analysis