SR 04-12-2016 3N
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 12, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.M
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Martin Pastucha, Director, Public Works, Architecture Services
Subject: Big Blue Bus Fuel and Wash Design Modification
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a first modification to professional services agreement No. 10019 (CCS), in the
amount of $112,419 (includes a 10% contingency) with RNL Interplan, Inc., a California-
based company, for design services to expand the Big Blue Bus CNG fueling system.
This will result in a three year amended agreement with a new total amount not to
exceed $229,701, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Executive Summary
The Big Blue Bus (BBB) is undertaking the Fuel and Wash Upgrade Project to replace
existing wash equipment that has reached the end of its cost effective life. On January
27, 2015, Council authorized staff to execute Professional Services Agreement No.
10019 with RNL Interplan, Inc. to provide design services for this project in an amount
not to exceed $117,282. Since the original request, the BBB has expanded its bus fleet
Rail and increase ridership. The expansion of the BBB fleet necessitates a modification
to the agreement to revise the BBB fueling system to accommodate another pump and
fueling lane to be able to fuel the fleet within required timeframes. The modification is in
an amount not to exceed $112,419, and for a new total amount not to exceed $229,701.
Background
The existing Big Blue Bus (BBB) fuel and wash apparatus was installed in 2002. The
facility is open seven days a week and services approximately 165 buses per night. The
wash apparatus has reached the end of its cost effective useful life and the BBB is
undertaking the Fuel and Wash Upgrade project to replace the existing bus wash
apparatus including all brushes, motors, mechanisms, rollers, pumps, holding tanks and
filters.
The existing Liquefied-Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) system at BBB has been
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evolving since it was placed into service. Originally built to fuel Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) buses and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) service vehicles, the system included
two 30,000 gallon LNG tanks, two offload pumps, two submergible LNG pumps, two LNG
dispensers, multiple valves, sensors, lines and miscellaneous hardware.
In 2009, BBB transitioned from purchasing LNG buses to CNG buses. The first ten CNG
powered buses were delivered in 2010. As a result of the transition to CNG buses, it was
necessary to expand the capacity to convert LNG to CNG. In 2011 the LCNG system
underwent major upgrades including the installation of two CNG compressor pump skids,
two warming towers, three additional CNG storage tanks, new odorant injection system,
two transit type dispensers, two 3600 PSI type dispensers and all support valves,
sensors, piping and miscellaneous hardware.
In 2013, BBB retired its last diesel buses and migrated to a completely all natural gas
fleet. The current fleet is comprised of 125 CNG powered transit buses and 75 LNG
powered transit buses for a total of 200 buses. This shift to natural gas has resulted in the
fueling system operating at full capacity during nightly bus wash and fueling operations.
It is anticipated that by the year 2019, BBB will expand its bus fleet to 225 buses, in
addition to the busses recently added. , which is launching in
creates the urgency to
provide sufficient fueling for the expanding City bus fleet.
Discussion
Vendor Selection
On October 8, 2014, the City published an RFP for design services to upgrade the BBB
fuel and wash building in order to modernize the existing bus wash apparatus including
all brushes, and components as well as to replace finishes in office spaces and
nline bidding website and notices were
advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in accordance with the City Charter and
Municipal Code provisions. A total of 52 prospective firms downloaded the RFP and five
firms attended a non-mandatory pre-proposal job walk. Two proposals were received
and publicly opened on November 12, 2014.
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City staff from Public Works and the Big Blue Bus evaluated proposals based on criteria
listed in the RFP including price, experience, qualifications, and references. Staff
selected RNL Interplan, Inc. as the best qualified firm. RNL Interplan, Inc. has broad
experience in similar projects including design of the Norwalk Transportation & Public
Services Facility and design of the Chula Vista Corporate Yard. Additionally, RNL
Interplan, Inc. offers specific expertise relevant to this project due to their experience
designing the BBB Maintenance Yard Master Plan and original Fuel and Wash Facility.
On January 27, 2015, Council authorized staff to execute a professional services
agreement to provide design services for the BBB Fuel and Wash Upgrade Project with
RNL Interplan, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $117,282.
In response to the expanding of bus fleet and the need for increased fueling capacity, it
is now necessary to increase the LNG to CNG conversion and dispensing capability.
Because RNL Interplan, the firm that designed the original fuel and wash facility, is
adding the fueling station scope of work at the same facility to this highly qualified firm,
and to modifying the existing agreement to provide these additional services given the
urgency for BBB to keep up with their fueling requirements for busses coming online to
accommodate the Expo Light Rail opening. The modification amount is not to exceed
$112,419 (includes a 10% contingency) for a new total amount not to exceed $229,701.
The scope of work includes two additional LNG to CNG compressor apparatus to
increase fueling capabilities sufficient for the new fleet, one additional CNG dispenser
and by-pass fueling lane an odorant injection system and all associated components
,
and hardware.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The agreement modification to be awarded to RNL Interplan, Inc. is $112,419, for an
amended agreement total not to exceed $229,701. Funds are available in the FY 2015-
16 Capital Improvement Program budget in account in account C410826.589000.
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Prepared By:
Erin Hamant, Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. January 27, 2015 Staff Report (web link)
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