THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT/TRANSIT DIVISION APPROVE THIS MOTION.
This item supports the Board's Values of "[C]ooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network" and "[E]ncouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection" and the corresponding goals to "[S]upport the development, design and construction of sustainable, multi-modal transportation facilities throughout the County, to meet the demands of residents, travelers, and businesses" and "[S]eek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting, the use of alternative energies and sustainable practices."
As background, on June 14, 2016, Item No. 8, the Board approved an Electric Bus Demonstration Project, at no cost to the County, with three bus manufacturers, Build Your Dreams Motors, Inc. (BYD), New Flyer of America, Inc. (NFA) and Complete Coach Works (CCW), in response to Request for Information No. V2111285F1, during the summer recess. NFA never provided the Transit Division (BCT) with an electric bus for testing and evaluation. During August and September 2016, BCT tested and evaluated two buses provided by CCW and BYD. The BYD bus was met with approval by BCT, as well as passengers, during the testing pilot.
On January 9, 2018, Item No. 7, the Board approved Resolution No. 2018-004 authorizing the Director of the Transportation Department to submit a Grant Application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Federal Grant Program funds pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 5339(C), for Low Or No (Low-No) Emissions Competitive Federal Grant Program for awarded funds in the amount of $1,000,000, for the purchase of all electric over-the-road buses. FTA's Low-No 5339(c) grant program encouraged and allowed public agencies to partner with other entities in implementing projects under the program. Broward County Transit partnered with BYD Motors for the manufacture of these battery electric buses and charging infrastructure and with the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) to provide project management and technical consulting services for the electric bus project on its FTA approved grant application. These five over-the-road coaches will be utilized to replace older model diesel buses in BCT's fleet that have met their useful life, operated along BCT's express bus routes. Deploying battery electric buses in place of the existing diesel buses will reduce energy consumption, emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases.
BCT is requesting that the Purchasing Director be authorized to enter into an agreement, as prepared and approved by the Office of the County Attorney, with Build Your Dreams Motors, Inc. (BYD) as the most reasonable source for the purchase of five over-the-road 45-foot electric buses with a total estimated cost for the five buses (including spare parts & training) of $4,598,484, and also to enter into a two-party agreement with the Center for Transportation and the Environment in the amount of $120,000 to provide project management and technical consulting services. The agreements will be in accordance with applicable law and all FTA guidance and requirements as approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Federal Grant Program funds pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 5339(C), for Low Or No (Low-No) Emissions Competitive Federal Grant Program.
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