DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 9
SUBJECT:
Shuttle Buses with ADA Lifts
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Texas Bus Sales, Inc. utilizing the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) cooperative to provide the Aviation Department with two Shuttle Buses with ADA Lifts for a total cost of $127,370.00. Funding is available from the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Aviation Department utilizes shuttle buses to operate shuttle routes serving the remote parking lots. The shuttle operates continuously for 24 hours each day. This contract will provide the Aviation Department with two shuttle buses with ADA lifts. Periodic bus replacement is necessary to ensure that the fleet age does not adversely impact service levels due to increasing maintenance requirements. The two shuttle buses being replaced are not in the City's Equipment Replacement and Renewal Fund. Vehicles and equipment that meet their established expected life cycle are sold at auction or are traded-in to the selling dealer.
These shuttle buses will be purchased from Texas Bus Sales, Inc. utilizing the HGAC contract number BT01-14 and will be made in accordance with the HGAC Program passed on resolution 96-41-48 dated 10/10/1996. This Program is administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments. All products and services that are part of these cooperatives have been competitively bid and awarded based on Texas Statutes.
The chassis is covered by a three year/36,0000 miles warranty, 1 year/12,000 mile warranty on the body, two year/unlimited miles for the air conditioning and one year parts & labor/three years parts only lift warranty.
Although propane powered buses are available, the Aviation Department does not have the infrastructure to support this fuel source.
ISSUE:
The City issued a Request for Offer to obtain pricing through HGAC contracts for Shuttle Buses. The units will be purchased from Texas Bus Sales, Inc. utilizing the HGAC contract number BT01-14, for a total cost of $127,370.00.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of qualified SMWBE's available to provide the goods and services.
This contract is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to goods/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Aviation Department will continue to operate passenger buses that have been in service beyond their expected useful life of seven years. Two of the buses to be replaced are eight years old. As a result, downtime and the cost of repairs will continue to increase as will the cost of renting supplemental equipment to meet required service levels. If the replacement purchase is not authorized, the Department's ability to operate the shuttle service will be compromised.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for the purchase of the two shuttles buses is $127,370.00 and will be funded through the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this contract with Texas Bus Sales, Inc. for a total cost of $127,370.00. This contract is procured by means of cooperative purchasing and a Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.