REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
BY: RODOLFO CASTRO, Maintenance Manager
Department of Transportation/Maintenance
SUBJECT
Title
Award a three-year Requirements Contract to RO Bus Sales of Corona, California, for Medium Accessible Paratransit Cutaways Unleaded Buses for the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express Handy Ride to purchase no more than 69 buses for a total amount of $7,235,874.98 plus annual CPI adjustments, and authorize the Director of Transportation, or designee, to execute the contract documents (Bid File 9576).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the award of a Requirements Contract in the amount of $2,831,429.34 to RO Bus Sales of Corona, California for Medium Accessible Paratransit Cutaways Unleaded Buses, and authorize the Director of Transportation, or designee, to execute the contract documents. FAX will purchase 27 buses during the initial term in the amount of $2,831,429.34 not to exceed 69 buses over the life of the contract in the amount of $7,235,874.98 plus annual CPI adjustments. The contract term is 3 years with provisions for two one-year extensions.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FAX Handy Ride provides a demand-responsive, curb-to-curb transit service for those individuals with mobility impairments and/or disabilities that would prevent them from using regular fixed route bus services. FAX seeks to award a Requirements Contract for Medium Accessible Paratransit Cutaways Unleaded Buses to support Handy Ride paratransit service. Initially, FAX will purchase 17 vehicles as replacements in FY22. As funding becomes available for additional purchases, FAX will continue purchasing replacements as needed, not to exceed 69 vehicles. Upon expiration of this contract in 2026, FAX will begin to purchase zero emission buses consistent with the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Zero Emission Transition Plan approved by Council in 2020. Zero emission technology is not yet mature in this vehicle class and FAX is in early planning stages for electric charging stations at Handy Ride. The apparent low bidder was deemed non-responsive and bypassed because the vendor was unable to meet minimum technical specifications. The purchase of these vehicles is a part of FAX/Handy Ride’s efforts to improve quality and reliability of service.
BACKGROUND
FAX Handy Ride provides a demand-responsive, curb-to-curb transit service for those individuals with mobility impairments and/or disabilities that would prevent them from using regular fixed route bus services. The service operates 51 paratransit vehicles and provides over 32,000 trips annually within the Fresno area.
Purchases from this contract will be used for both replacement and additions. Initially, FAX will purchase 17 vehicles as replacements in FY22. As funding becomes available for additional purchases, FAX will continue replacement as needed. Eventually, FAX seeks to increase the fleet size as needed to meet demand.
The Federal Transit Administration requires FAX to maintain the fleet in a state of good repair. The Medium Accessible Paratransit Cutaway class is on a seven year or 250,000-mile replacement schedule, which has been established by the FAX Maintenance Division as the optimum replacement time. The units identified for replacement have exceeded their useful lives in both mileage and time. The FAX Maintenance Division recommends replacement based on the age and condition of the equipment.
The vehicles included in this contract are powered by conventional unleaded internal combustion engines. Beginning in 2026, after this contract expires, 25 percent of all paratransit purchases will be required to be zero emission. Zero emission technology in the paratransit bus vehicle class is in the infancy stages of development and technology is not yet mature for wide adoption. This contract will provide FAX the ability to maintain a state of good repair while zero emission technology matures and allow for implementation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the Handy Ride facility. Moreover, FAX’s ICT Zero Emission Transition Plan, approved by Council in 2020, establishes 2026 as the first year of battery electric paratransit bus purchases.
The establishment of this contract is imperative for FAX to sustain service performance, safety, reliability, cost effectiveness, and maintain a positive image of the Handy Ride fleet.
Competitive bids were solicited from qualified vendors on June 22, 2021, and advertised in the Fresno Business Journal and MassTransitMag.com. The Notice Inviting Bids was sent to four exchanges, and specifications were distributed to 15 bidders. Three bids were received and reviewed in a public bid opening on July 27, 2021. RO Bus Sales of Corona, California, was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Bids will expire on December 24, 2021.
The City Attorney has approved the contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as the use of Federal funds precludes the use of local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
Purchases will have no impact on the General Fund. Purchases will be funded through a combination of FTA 5310, 5339, State Prop 1B and match funds.
Attachment: Bid Evaluation