THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT/TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
This item supports the Board's Vision for an "Efficient and Accessible Regional Intermodal Transportation Network" and its Goal No. 2, to "enhance our efficient, safe, clean, attractive and interconnected multi-modal transportation systems". Additionally, it also supports the Board’s Vision and Goals for “A Pristine, Healthy Environment” and a “Fiscally Sustainable and Transparent Government”, by purchasing Paratransit vehicles that run on propane fuel, which will reduce the County’s use of fossil fuels and costs for those fuels, and contribute to the County’s Climate Change Action Plan initiatives.
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development did not establish Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals for this procurement (Exhibit 2).
The purpose of this contract is to purchase 138 customized and alternatively fueled (propane) vehicles for Paratransit services in accordance with ADA protocol.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded a contract for standard cutaway vehicles, Contract No. TRIPS-11-CA-TP, to five contractors based upon a competitive solicitation issued by the Transit Research Inspection Procurement Service (TRIPS). TRIPS is a collaboration between FDOT’s Office of Freight, Logistics and Passenger Operations and the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research. The competitive solicitation included Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, allowing resultant contracts to use FTA funding. The basis for vendor selection for projects is the ordering agency’s determination of which vendor can supply the desired vehicles based on technical specifications, available customizable components, and budget. Broward County obtained FDOT’s approval to purchase 138 vehicles from Creative Bus Sales, Inc. (Exhibit 1).
By utilizing FDOT’s contract, the County is taking advantage of lower costs available through competitive pricing based on large volume discounts. FDOT pre-negotiated the pricing which therefore represents an additional cost savings benefit for Broward County. Additionally, the County is benefiting by realizing economies of scale, reducing administrative costs of project solicitation, having a direct relationship with the manufacturer for added quality control, and having the ability to select and customize vehicles that meet the County’s requirements. If the Board approves the item on April 1, 2014 for 138 busses, the busses will be delivered on or after November 1, 2014 (and approximate period of 90 days thereafter) through February 1, 2015.
The contract also allows the County to promote its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability by purchasing vehicles modified to use propane fuel. Propane, rather than gasoline or diesel, is less expensive, domestically produced and produces lower emissions.
The Transit Division has reviewed the contract and additional submittals by Creative Bus Sales, Inc. and concurs with the recommendations for award (Exhibit 3).
No vendor performance evaluations have been completed for Creative Bus Sales, Inc. |