DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 9
SUBJECT:
Shuttle Buses with ADA Lifts for the Aviation Department
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 $131,493.50. Funding is available from the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Aviation Department maintains a fleet of nine shuttle buses to operate 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 age of the fleet 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.
These shuttle buses will be purchased from Texas Bus Sales, Inc. utilizing the HGAC contract number BT01-17 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.
Each bus will be covered by a Ford chassis warranty for the earlier of 3 years or 36,000 miles, an El Dorado bus warranty for the earlier of 12 months or 12,000 miles, an air conditioner warranty of 2 years with unlimited miles, a Braun ADA lift warranty covering parts and labor for 12 months and parts only for 3 years.
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 BT01-17 for a total cost of $131,493.50.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these 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 operate passenger buses that have been in service beyond their expected useful life. As a result, downtime and the cost of repairs will continue to increase as will the cost of renting supplemental drivers and buses 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 $131,493.50 and will be funded through the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this purchase with Texas Bus Sales, Inc. for a total cost of $131,493.50. This contract is procured by means of cooperative purchasing and a Discretionary Contract Disclosure Form is not required.