SR-1000-002-02 (3)
F:\FINANCE\PURCH\STFRPTS\SRBDELECTRICBUS.DOC
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.
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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.
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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
Reference Contract No. 8506 (CCS).
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