Recommendation for Jule Transit Bus Purchase Copyrighted
July 15, 2019
City of Dubuque Action Items # 8.
ITEM TITLE: Recommendation for Jule Transit Bus Purchase
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending the purchase of four new
Gilligs buses as an alternative to the recent Request for
Proposal for nine remanufactured buses. It is further
recommended to apply for a grant this year to secure funds
to replace the remaining five buses.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receiveand File;Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Recommendation for J ule Transit Bus Purchase-MVM City Manager Memo
Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Recommendation for Jule Transit Bus Purchase
DATE: July 9, 2019
Transportation Services applied for and received funds from the Federal Transit
Administration's Bus and Bus Facilities competitive grant program. The City was
awarded a federal grant for $1,900,000 to use for the purchase of nine buses and
boarding equipment.
An RFP for the purchase of nine remanufactured buses was released. The City
received one decline to bid and one bid that did not meet the minimum requirements of
the RFP.
Because this bid does not satisfy the requirements of the City of Dubuque, the Federal
Transportation Administration has granted the City permission to review alternative
means for bus purchase. The purchase of remanufactured buses does not assist in
building a sustainable fleet. These buses have a 1-year guarantee. The vendor
purchases buses retired from other fleets after the units have met their useful life.
An alternative is to purchase four new buses off the lowa Department of
Transportation's procurement contract. This will provide the City with four new buses,
alleviating some of the maintenance issues for the next several years. The State IDOT
will allow the City to extend the life of the remaining five buses and can also keep the
four replaced buses for parts to maintain and service the five buses until they are
replaced in 2021.
Director of Transportation Services Renee Tyler recommends the purchase of four new
Gilligs at a cost of $1,592,000 ($298,456 per unit). Transportation Services will also
continue with its plan to upgrade farebox equipment for fixed route and paratransit bus
service. It is further recommended to apply for the grant again this year and the
following year to secure funds to replace the remaining five buses. Upon replacement
of these nine buses, the City can turn its focus on the implementation of a replacement
plan for purchasing buses until the fleet is fully functional.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1 j t.11��'GL+'t tf t� ,
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Renee Tyler, Director of Transportation Services
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remaining 5 buses and we can also keep the 4 replaced buses for parts to maintain and service the 5
buses until we replace them in 2021 .
BUDGETIMPACTS
The original budget for this grant allocated funds in the following manner:
5339(b) 5339(b)
Description Quantity Amount Match Total Cost
Amount
Onboard computer' 29 $2,433 $608 $88,189
Swipe card reader' 29 $206 $51 $7,453
Electronic farebox 17 $18,820 $4,706 $399,942
Farebox collection vault 1 $13,201 $3,307 $16,508
Bus replacement 9 $170,000 $30,000 $1,800,000
Total $1,939,672 $372,420 $2,312,092
Boarding equipment component: 80% Federal/20% Local
5339(b) 5339(b)
Description Quantity Amount Match Total Cost
Amount
Onboard computer 29 $2,433 $608 $88,189
Swipe card reader 29 $206 $51 $7,453
Electronic farebox 17 $18,820 $4,706 $399,942
Farebox collection vault 1 $13,201 $3,307 $16,508
Total $409,672 $102,420 $512,092
Percent of
total 80% 20%
Bus component: 85% Federal/15% Local
5339(b) 5339(b)
Description Quantity Amount Match Total Cost
Amount
Bus replacement 9 $170,000 $30,000 $1,800,000
Total $1,530,000 $270,000 $1,800,000
Percent of
total 85% 15%
The purchase of 4 new buses will still allow Transportation Services to proceed with the planned
purchase of its boarding equipment with no additional strain on the budget.
5339(b) 5339(b)
Description Quantity Amount Match Total Cost
Amount
Onboard computer' 29 $2,433 $608 $88,189
Swipe card reader' 29 $206 $51 $7,453
Electronic farebox 17 $18,820 $4,706 $399,942
Farebox collection vault 1 $13,201 $3,307 $16,508
Bus replacement 4 $338,300 $59,700 $1,592,000
Total $1,762,872 $341,220 $2,104,092
$372,420 has been set aside in matching funds:
Ci of Dubu ue Matchin Funds
Source Fiscal Year Amount
Operating Budget: Onboard
computer and card reader 2019 $95,641
re lacement
Capital Improvement Program: 2019 $260,000
Bus replacement
Capital Improvement Program: 2020 $16,779
Bus replacement
Total $372,420
RECOMMENDATION/ACTION STEP
I recommend the purchase of 4 new Gilligs at a cost of$1 ,592,000 ($298,456 per unit).
Transportation Services will also continue with its plan to upgrade farebox equipment for fixed route
and paratransit bus service. I also recommend applying for the 5339 grant again this year and the
following year to secure funds to replace the remaining 5 buses. Upon replacement of these 9 we
can turn our focus on the implementation of a replacement plan for purchasing buses until our fleet is
fully functional.
cc: Jenny Larson, Director of Finance