HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-05 Staff Report - Purchase of Four New Transit BusesCONSENT ITEM
E-5
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: DANIEL BOBADILLA, P.E., DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER
DATE: DECEMBER 3, 2018
SUBJECT: AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PURCHASE FOUR NEW TRANSIT BUSES
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Public Works’ Transit Division operates a transit program that consists of a Dial-A-
Ride service and shuttle service to and from the Metro Gold Line stations in the City of Azusa. Four of
the six buses were purchased in 2007 and are almost at the end of their useful lifecycle. Repair costs
continue to mount and time out of service for repairs impacts service levels. To address this issue, staff
applied for and received a grant in the amount of $317,917 from the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) utilizing the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) as a pass-
through entity. The grant, along with a required $35,324 in local match funding, will purchase four (4)
Class B transit buses and dispatch software. City Council approved the Funding Agreement with
LACMTA on July 16, 2018. Staff is now requesting approval to purchase the buses.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1)Waive competitive bidding as authorized under Azusa Municipal Code Section 2.521(a) and
approve the contract to purchase four (4) new transit buses through the California Association for
Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) Cooperative; and
2)Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract for the purchase of the four (4) new transit
buses.
3)Authorize the appropriation of $25,988 of Prop A funds as local match required by the FTA
grant.
ANALYSIS:
The Department of Public Works’ Transit Division operates Azusa Dial-A-Ride, a sub-regional
paratransit transportation service for seniors over 55 years of age and persons of any age with
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
12/3/2018
Section 5310 Transit Bus Purchase
December 3, 2018
Page 2
disabilities. Elderly and disabled residents in the City of Azusa and the unincorporated Los Angeles
County within the City can utilize the service for travel.
Currently, the City operates six vehicles in the Dial-A-Ride fleet. Four of those six vehicles were
purchased through Section 5310 funding in 2007 and have over 180,000 miles on each of them. The
vehicles are almost at the end of their useful life and the cost of keeping them in service is escalating.
LACMTA makes the FTA Section 5310 Program grant available to local transit agencies and nonprofits
that provide service to the senior and disabled population. Therefore, Staff applied for and was awarded
one of these grants. City Council approved the acceptance of this grant on July 16, 2018.
In order to achieve economies of scale and also to expedite the purchasing process, LACMTA has
partnered with CalACT to offer the option of purchasing the buses through their cooperative. Within
that cooperative, LACMTA required that three bids be obtained. Staff received bids for buses with
capacity for 12 passengers plus 2 wheel chair spaces. The only difference is the chassis and/or vendor.
A summary of the bids received is as follows:
VENDOR BUS CHASSIS TYPE COST
A2Z Bus Sales Ford E-450 Chassis $64,969.73 each x 4 = $259,878.92
A2Z Bus Sales General Motors Chassis $64,985.09 each x 4 = $259,940.36
Creative Bus Sales Ford E-450 Chassis $75,764.90 each x 4 = $303,059.61
Based on low bid, Staff is requesting approval of the purchase of four Ford E-450 Chassis buses through
A2Z Bus Sales.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Council approved and accepted the FTA grant in the amount of $317,917 on July 16, 2018. The total
estimated costs for replacement of four buses as allowed by the grant application were $296,000. Cost
of replacement is $259,878.92. Of this amount, $233,892 will be FTA Section 5310 funds and $25,988
will be funded by local Prop A funds. Upon Council approval of the purchase and when the funding
agreement is fully executed, Staff will prepare a budget amendment to allocate the funds consistent with
the award notification letter.
Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed:
Nikki Rosales Talika M. Johnson
Senior Management Analyst Director of Finance
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager
Attachments:
1) Vehicle Specifications Summaries and Quotes