TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: RFP for Battery Electric Charging Equipment (D2 and D4)
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider approving the release of Request For Proposals for Battery Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure Equipment for the Battery Electric Bus Facilities at both the Emeryville and the Seminary Divisions.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Environmental Improvement
Initiative - Zero Emission Programs
This solicitation will allow the District to complete a competitive procurement for the selection and acquisition of the actual Battery Electric Bus (BEB) charging equipment.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
This procurement is part of a project funded by State of California Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Funds and Regional/ Local funds from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Carl Moyer Program and is funded in the FY 2020-21 Capital Budget. The anticipated charger cost is consistent with the funding allocation in FY 2020-21 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. Further, on October 14, 2020 the Board authorized the construction IFB for the Emeryville Division (SR 20-380).
This procurement provides for the BEB charging infrastructure selection and purchase necessary to support the BEB deployment planned for the Emeryville (D2) division in FY 2021-22 and the Oakland (D4) division in FY 2022-23. This charging hardware will likely have a long lead ordering time so identifying and contracting for the equipment in advance of construction is essential to minimizing the construction timeline and maintaining the schedule required by the anticipated delivery of the next Battery Electric Bus order.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of issuing this RFP is that it will enable the District to select and contract for the necessary charging equipment in manner that will avoid delays in the construction schedule for long lead procurement items and potential design modifications that may be required for specific charging systems.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered including the charger procurement in the construction Invitation for Bid (IFB) but that was not acceptable because it would extend the construction schedule to provide the lead time necessary for charger procurement. This approach might also compromise the engineering because the low bidder may provide an “equal” that could require design modifications. Staff also considered selecting a specific charging system and either embedding it in the IFB or initiating a direct procurement but either of those options would constitute a single source procurement which was not acceptable to the project team.
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
SR 20-380 on October 14, 2020 - Consider approving the issuance of an Invitation to Bid (IFB) for Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. None
Prepared by:
Joe Callaway, Director of Capital Projects
Approved/Reviewed by:
Fred Walls, Director of Procurement and Materials
Cecil Blandon, Director of Maintenance
Salvador Llamas, Chief Operating Officer
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Chris Andrichak, Acting Chief Financial Officer
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel