TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure Construction (Emeryville-D2)
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider approving the issuance of an Invitation For Bid (IFB) for the construction of Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure at the Emeryville Division (D2).
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Environmental Improvement
Initiative - Infrastructure Modernization
This project will enable the District to provide Battery Electric Bus (BEB) infrastructure to support the Board adopted Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The project is funded by State of California TIRCP Funds and Regional / Local funds from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Carl Moyer Program. This project is funded in the FY 2020-21 Capital Budget. The anticipated construction cost is consistent with the funding allocation in FY2020-21 Capital Improvement Plan. The actual cost estimate is being withheld to ensure that the District receives the best possible pricing during the public bid process.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
In December 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation that requires California transit agencies to begin purchasing Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) as early as 2023, with the goal of transitioning all transit buses to zero emission technology by 2040.
On June 10, 2020, the AC Transit Board approved Resolution 20-029 which formally adopted the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Rollout Plan as the long-term plan to comply the CARB Innovative Clean Transit Regulation.
This project provides the BEB charging infrastructure necessary to support the next phase of new BEBs deployment planned for the Emeryville (D2) division in FY2022-23. AC Transit plans to install at-grade charging units with manual plug-in cords along the south wall of the existing bus yard. Construction is scheduled for 2021-22 with completion prior to the arrival of the new BEBs.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantages of issuing this IFB is that it will enable the District to geographically diversify the Districts BEB charging infrastructure providing for both greater system resiliency as well as more flexible operations.
Staff has not identified any disadvantages to issuing this IFB.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered installing all BEB charging infrastructure at the Oakland division but concluded that centralizing the infrastructure would not provide the level of resiliency and diversification necessary to insulate the BEB fleet from grid curtailments and power shutdowns.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Board Policy 465 - Procurement
SR 20-224 on June 10, 2020 - Consider Adopting Resolution 20-029 Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Roll-out Plan
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Joe Callaway, Director of Capital Projects
In Collaboration with:
Phillip J.L. Halley, Contracts Compliance Administrator
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning and Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Fred Walls, Acting Director of Procurement and Materials
Chris Andrichak, Acting Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer
Cecil Blandon, Director of Maintenance
Salvador Llamas, Chief Operating Officer
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel