Title
CATS Paratransit Fleet Replacement
Action
Action:
A. Approve a unit price contract with Creative Bus Sales for the purchase of paratransit fleet replacement vehicles and related equipment for the term of one year, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to four, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
John Lewis, Jr., CATS
Allen C. Smith III, CATS
Jennifer Fehribach, CATS
Explanation:
§ Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has a fleet of 85 paratransit diesel fleet vehicles that provide door-to-door service to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act.
§ Approximately 14 percent of the CATS paratransit fleet must be replaced each year to maintain the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) threshold for State of Good Repair.
§ Paratransit fleet vehicles have a seven-year/200,000-mile minimum useful life expectancy.
§ This contract will cover CATS’ immediate need to replace the oldest vehicles and ensure paratransit service is reliable and safe, while continuing to position CATS to meet the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) goals before 2030 due to the seven-year replacement cycle for these vehicles.
§ On February 3, 2022, the City issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB); three bids were received.
§ Creative Bus Sales was selected as the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder.
§ While no vendors currently offer an electric option that meets the needs of CATs Paratransit services and FTA requirements, market research has been conducted through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify low or zero emission paratransit vehicle options that may be available within the near future.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
In accordance with 49 CFR Part 26.49, the manufacturer of the vehicles to be purchased under this contract is in compliance with the Federal Transit Administration DBE program requirements.
Fiscal Note
Funding: CATS Capital Investment Plan