Council Meeting: September 13, 2005 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Award a Sole Source Contract with E-Bus, Inc. for the Purchase of Five Hybrid-Electric Shuttle Buses

Introduction

This report recommends that Council award into a sole source contract with E-Bus, Inc. for the purchase of five plug-in, hybrid-electric, 22-foot shuttle buses operating on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), to be used on the Tide shuttle route. The price of this procurement, including charging equipment, delivery, training, applicable sales tax, and a 10% contingency is $1,875,432.

Background

The Big Blue Bus currently operates diesel buses in the Tide shuttle service. These buses have reached the end of their useful life and would be replaced by the new hybrid-electric buses. The proposed plug-in, hybrid-electric bus manufactured by E-Bus, Inc. is a new configuration that can be operated either in electric mode, utilizing periodic rapid-charging of the batteries, or hybrid mode, utilizing the onboard micro-turbine operating on LNG to generate electricity. The micro-turbine is much quieter than other hybrid engines and is near zero emissions. The micro-turbine bus has been tested on the route and meets the range and performance requirements. Anticipated delivery is four months after execution of a contract.

Discussion

An investigation of available hybrid-electric vehicles has been conducted, including advertising of the City’s requirements, to determine that no comparable vehicle exists in the marketplace. Under these circumstances it is permitted under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations to enter into a sole source contract. Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.080 (a) allows exception to competitive bidding when goods are purchased from a sole provider. Staff has evaluated the quotation submitted by E-Bus, Inc. and finds that it meets City specifications.

Budget/Financial Impact

Cost for the five buses is $1,704,938 including the base bus, ADA accessibility equipment, applicable sales tax, training, and delivery charges. An additional 10% contingency amount of $170,494 will be added to cover substitution of certain bus components to provide commonality with components currently used on other City buses. The total amount of the contract is $1,875,432. Funds in the amount of $1,875,432 are available in capital improvement project account C410519.589000 Bus Replacement Program.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that Council award a contract with E-Bus, Inc. for the purchase of five plug-in, hybrid-electric shuttle buses in the total amount of $1,875,432.

Prepared by: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transportation

Joe Stitcher, Assistant Director of Transit Services

Ralph Merced, Transit Maintenance Manager

Diane Howell, Purchasing Agent

Richard Chiu, Senior Buyer