Request for Proposals_Purchase of Light Duty Transit VehiclesMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Proposal for Light Duty Transit Buses
DATE: November 9, 2010
Dubuque
All- AmericaCily
'
2007
Keyline Transit is the recipient of two federal grants — State of Good Repair and Clean
Fuel, and is in a position to replace its aging and ailing fixed route and mini bus fleet.
Both grants came with a relatively short turn - around time frame that requires the money
for vehicle replacement to be obligated quickly.
In early July 2010, as part of the modernization and re- branding of Keyline Transit, staff
began looking at possible alternatives to the Light Duty (LD) buses Keyline currently
operates, and became aware of the series of buses known as Sprinters. These
vehicles have gained a good reputation for overall performance. The use of a more
modern exterior style as well as the clean diesel engine technology make them an
excellent choice for use in replacing Keyline's mini bus fleet.
Director of Transit Operations Barbara Morck recommends City Council authorization
for Keyline Transit to issue a Request for Proposal for the purpose of obtaining a Light
Duty Sprinter vehicle purchasing contract that contains the clean diesel engine option.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations
Mic el C. Van Milligen
THE CITY OF
Der
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations
SUBJECT: Request for Proposal for Light Duty Transit Buses
DATE: November 4, 2010
Dubuque
bittil
ruff
2007
BACKGROUND
Keyline Transit, as the recipient of two federal grants — State of Good Repair and Clean
Fuel — is in a position to replace its aging and ailing fixed route and mini bus fleet. Both
grants, which were received within the last two (2) weeks, came with a relatively short
turn - around time frame that requires the money for vehicle replacement to be obligated
quickly.
DISCUSSION
Until very recently the workhorse in the mini bus world has generally been a 176" Light
Duty (LD) bus with an 8 cylinder diesel engine. Emission standards have tightened over
the years and diesel technology has advanced in response. Clean diesel engines are
now considered to be one of the lowest emission producers of vehicles using fossil
fuels, and its emissions are considered to be on -par with compressed natural gas
(CNG) engines.
In the past Keyline has purchased 176" LD buses which came with diesel engines.
These diesel engines have a proven history of being able to withstand the wear and tear
created by stop- and -go usage, the long dwell times and the heavy often daily use, as
well as being able to operate in- service for extended period of years. Ford, which has
been a primary supplier of the 176" LD buses, no longer carries a diesel engine option.
In early July 2010, as part of the modernization and re- branding of Keyline Transit, staff
began looking at possible alternatives to the LD buses we currently operate, and
became aware of the series of buses known as Sprinters. These vehicles are built on
either International or Freightliner platforms, and have gained a good reputation in
regards to their overall performance. The use of a more modern exterior style as well as
the clean diesel engine technology made them an excellent choice for use in replacing
Keyline's (and RTA's) mini bus fleet using the State of Iowa CIAP (5309) funding that
was received earlier in the year. To do this an open procurement was found in Indiana,
which allowed for the purchase of three (3) LD Sprinter vehicles through an open (aka
assignment or "piggyback ") option. The purchase of vehicles off another transit
property's open procurement accelerates the purchase process as much of the up -front
paperwork that is required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has already been
satisfied (e.g. the Buy American clauses, Pre -award Certifications). Unfortunately since
exercising the option for three buses that are already on order, we have since learned
that there are no more options available on the Indiana contract. And despite a very
diligent effort by staff, we have been unable to locate another open procurement for
these particular buses.
RECOMMENDATION /ACTION STEP
I recommend that the City Council authorizes Keyline Transit to issue a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for the purpose of obtaining a LD Sprinter vehicle purchasing contract,
one that contains the clean diesel engine option. Towards this end Keyline staff will
work with staff from Public Works (e.g. City Garage) and ECIA in the writing and issuing
the RFP, with the intention of having a purchasing contract in -hand by year's end.
I also recommend that the following people sit on the RFP review committee:
Ken Tekippe, Finance Director
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Kevin Cornwell, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
Barbara Morck, Director of Transit Operations / Keyline Transit
Mark Munson, Director of Transit Operations / RTA