DEPARTMENT: Office of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Douglas Melnick, AICP, ISSP-SA, CNU-A
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Consulting Services for the Electric Vehicle Conversion & Infrastructure Deployment Study
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a contract with Gonzalez, Kypuros and White, Inc., dba GKW, Inc. for the Electric Vehicle Conversion & Infrastructure Deployment Study for a one year term, not to exceed $125,000.00. Funding for this contract is available within the Building & Equipment Services FY 2019 Fleet Operations & Maintenance Fund Adopted Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2016, transportation accounted for 38% of San Antonio’s greenhouse gas emissions. Burning fossil fuels in combustion engines form greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The City of San Antonio (CoSA) has committed to addressing the effects of global warming by signing the Paris Climate Accord, and the City’s Climate Action & Adaption Plan (CAAP) is currently open for public comment until February 24, 2019. The CAAP mitigation strategies include reducing transportation energy consumption through the transition to carbon-free vehicles. On January 11, 2019, the City was chosen to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Climate Cities Challenge. Accelerating vehicle electrification is identified as a priority initiative over the two-year challenge.
In addition, Bexar County was recently designated in marginal nonattainment of federal ozone standards by the Environmental Protection Agency and has until December 31, 2020, to demonstrate attainment or face stricter regulations. Tailpipe emissions from combustion-engine vehicles are a precursor to the formation of ground-level ozone.
A commitment to electric transportation is therefore not only important for the future growth and prosperity of the community, but will also improve air quality, reduce fuel consumption, and help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. CoSA plans to advance its investment in clean transportation, specifically transitioning CoSA fleet vehicles to electric and working with CPS Energy to expand and upgrade electric-vehicle charging infrastructure in order to promote electric vehicles as a viable transportation choice for individuals and businesses.
The Electric Vehicle Conversion and Infrastructure Deployment Study will be led by the City of San Antonio’s Office of Sustainability and will provide an evaluation of three inter-related components of electric vehicles in San Antonio:
1. A data-driven implementation strategy with key performance indicators for the electrification of CoSA's light-duty vehicle fleet, including an evaluation of the current fleet portfolio and procurement policy; a cost-benefit analysis of conversion, including environmental and fiscal indicators; and identification of required charging infrastructure.
2. A city-wide deployment plan for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
3. An assessment of local barriers to electric vehicle ownership and strategies for expanding the market.
The Office of Sustainability has established “EV-SA” to brand the multi-faceted planning, implementation, education and outreach program.
ISSUE:
On November 16, 2018, a Request for Qualification (RFQ 19-003; 6100010931) for the Electric Vehicle Conversion and Infrastructure Deployment Study was issued with a submission deadline of December 17, 2018. The RFQ was advertised in the San Antonio Express-News, TVSA channel, San Antonio e-Procurement System, notified by email to a list of potential Respondents identified by the Office of Sustainability, and posted to the City’s Bidding and Contracting opportunities website. Four proposals were received and deemed eligible for review.
The proposals were reviewed by the Evaluation Committee which included representatives from the City’s Office of Sustainability, Building & Equipment Services Department, and CPS Energy. Proposals were evaluated and scored based on the published evaluation criteria in the RFQ, which included: Experience, Background, Qualifications, Proposed Plan, Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program: Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Prime Contract Program, Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Prime Contract Program, the Local Preference Program and the Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program.
The evaluation committee met to review, evaluate and score all four proposals received. After all discussions and scoring were completed by the evaluation committee, the highest ranked firm, Gonzalez, Kypuros and White, Inc. dba GKW, Inc. was selected for award recommendation.
Award of this contract through approval of City Council will allow for the Electric Vehicle Conversion and Infrastructure Deployment Study. The Study deliverables include a Municipal Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Plan; City-Wide EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan; Advancing EV Ownership Plan; Equity Plan; and Communications & Stakeholder Engagement.
The Study will also prepare San Antonio to be “grant-ready” for funding opportunities such as through the Volkswagen Beneficiary Mitigation Trust, and recommended local strategies will complement the nationwide deployment of Electrify America’s public EV fast chargers. The initial term of the contract shall be upon Council award for a period of twelve months.
This contract will be awarded in compliance with the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program. Gonzalez, Kypuros and White, Inc. dba GKW, Inc. is a small, minority, women-owned firm that received ten evaluation preference points as they are located within the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In accordance with the Local Preference Program, the recommended Respondent received 10 points for being headquartered within the incorporated San Antonio city limits. In accordance with the Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program, the recommended Respondent received 5 points for being a certified veteran-owned small business.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the City’s efforts to advance electric transportation and infrastructure to meet greenhouse gas reduction and air quality goals will be hindered.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a contract with Gonzalez, Kypuros and White, Inc. dba GKW, Inc. for the Electric Vehicle Conversion & Infrastructure Deployment Study for a one year term, not to exceed $125,000.00. Funding is available within the Building & Equipment Services FY 2019 Fleet Operations & Maintenance Adopted Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this contract with GKW, Inc. to provide consulting services for the Electric Vehicle Conversion & Infrastructure Deployment Study.
This contract is procured by means of Request for Qualifications and Contract Disclosure Forms are attached.