SR-010808-1H~~+
City of City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: January 8, 2008
Agenda Item: `°
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Rejection of Bid #2924 to Furnish and Deliver up to Five Small Alternative
Fuel Transit Vehicles With Options to Purchase up to 25 Additional
Vehicles
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to reject all bids
received for the purchase of Small Alternative Fuel Transit Vehicles.
Executive Summary
At its September 25, 2007 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to go back to the
proposed supplier of Bid No. 2924 with suggestions. to modify the design of the five,
small alternatively fueled transit vehicles. Staff. met with the vendor and it was
determined that they could not make the suggested changes. As a result of this
discussion, the City Council should reject the bids. Staff will come back to the City
Council at a later time with another design concept. There will be no fiscal impact as a
result of this action.
Discussion
Previous Council Actions
At the September 25, 2007 City Council Meeting staff recommended the award of Bid
#2924 to North American Bus Industries to purchase five compressed natural gas
powered trolley designed transit coaches and miscellaneous spare parts, with options to
purchase up to 25 additional coaches.
Discussion ensued on the proposed design of the trolley and the need to have a design
that is unique and identifiable with the City of Santa Monica. After considerable
discussion, staff was directed to consult with the supplier regarding revising the design
1
to address the ideas, suggestions and comments. made during the discussion and
return to the City Council with options.
Staff met with the supplier regarding optional designs and modifications to determine if
anew design could be provided without compromising the structural integrity of the
vehicle. After review of the designs presented, the manufacturer determined that they
could not produce the alternative design concept for Council consideration..
Staff will re-evaluate bid specifications, research the open market for other acceptable
designs, unique body types, and advanced alternative fuel technology such as natural
gas/hybrid, and return to the City Council for an award at the appropriate time.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There are enough regular buses for the community transit services. The trolley style bus
is an alternative to address concerns from the business and resident communities. The
delay of the purchase of the trolley buses does not impact the daily operations and
hence the negative financial impact is minimal if any.
Prepared by:
Ralph Merced, Maintenance Manager
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
Stept~a ie Negriff nt Ewell
i
Director of Transit Services Cit anager
2