HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1992, C-5 - SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF HEAVY DUTY TRANSIT BUSES 1111110111111111111 0u
".7 r MEETING DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT STEM NUMBER/�_C
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer JJ
Prepared by: Harry Watson, Transit Manager.,
SUBJECT: Specifications for the Purchase of Heavy Duty Transit
Buses
CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, approve a draft contract and
specifications for the acquisition of two heavy duty transit
vehicles and authorize the soliciting of Request for Proposals.
DISCUSSION:
At the November 5, 1991 City Council meeting staff was directed to
prepare specifications for the acquisition of two heavy duty
transit vehicles as part of the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) .
The buses will be constructed to withstand the demands put upon
them for continual maximum capacity ridership. The buses will be
wheelchair lift equipped so as to conform to the requirements of
the recently legislated Americans with Disabilities Act.
Staff has acquired copies of specifications from six other public
transit operators, from Federal Department of Transportation
Document Library, and from the California Transit Association
Document Library, and has taken the best from each and incorporated
them into a very workable RFP for this acquisition. Many of the
specification sections are fairly "standard" . However, staff has
spent a significant amount of time drafting those sections dealing
with the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, 1991
California Clean Air legislation, and alternatively fueled transit
bus features.
Per direction from Council, the specifications for these 40 foot
buses are for both advanced design diesel and for an alternate fuel
option. On the alternative fuel item, we ask for a list of
operators currently using their alternate fuel vehicles
successfully. The buses will also have improved seating comfort
and could have electronic destination signs.
Council is reminded that during the adoption of the SRTP, we
discussed this capital expenditure as phase one of the a five year
bus replacement expansion program. Staff pointed out the need for
the 40 ' bus (existing crush loads) with one bus scheduled as an
expansion bus for a new fifth route and the second as a replacement
bus. Staff will endeavor to assign the 40 ' buses to the perimeter
and tandem routes while using the shorter buses on the downtown
core routes.
Purchasing Procedure
The provisions of Municipal Code 3 .24 . 060 (G) applies to this
contract, which provides for the use of the Request for Proposal
process (instead of a formal bid) when an RFP "will result in a
more favorable and efficient comparison of supplies, equipment
and/or services. "
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Gii% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Due to its highly technical nature and the variety of features
available, staff recommends a Request for Proposal (RFP) process
for this purchase in accordance with the City's adopted purchasing
policies. Under an RFP approach, factors other than cost are
appropriately considered in the award of the contract, and not all
of the numerous specification preferences need to be completely
met.
In the case of a heavy duty transit bus, durability, passenger
amenities, and locally performed maintenance directly translate
into operational costs, a key factor to be considered in
determining value for cost. These can be somewhat subjective
factors, but are important features in evaluating which vehicle
will lead to the greatest overall productivity for our transit
system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City Estimate
j The City estimate for the construction of two heavy duty, diesel
powered coaches that are lift equipped is $210, 000 each. This is
consistent with information provided in the November staff report,
when the Council approved the SRTP' s Five Year Operating Plan. We
would caution that rapid price increases for transit coaches has
been the norm over the past year.
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Funds Available
iRevenues are available to cover this expenditure from an approved
Federal Mass transportation Administration UMTA Grant in the amount
of $251, 600, and the beginning fund balance carryover TDA for
fiscal year 1991-92 ($204 , 800, page G-10 Approved 1991-92 Budget) .
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ATTACHMENTS:
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Request for Proposals: Available in Council Office for reviLni
A. Draft Contract j
B. Specifications
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