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Purchase of Ford Paratransit Vans
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DESCRIPTION: For the purchase and replacement of 13 paratransit vans |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
To authorize the Chief Executive Officer to award a contract to Creative Bus Sales for the purchase of thirteen (13) paratransit vans in the amount of $2,328,677.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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In New Orleans, the public transit system plays a vital role in ensuring accessibility and mobility for all residents, particularly through its paratransit services. Out of the total fleet of 59 vehicles, 25 have exceeded their useful life, prompting an urgent need for replacement.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sets guidelines for the useful life of transit vehicles. The 13 vehicles in question have surpassed this designated lifespan, leading to increased challenges in maintenance and overall operational effectiveness. The replacement of these vehicles is imperative to uphold the standards of service and maintain the city's commitment to inclusive and accessible transportation.
The paratransit service is specifically designed to cater to individuals with disabilities, providing door-to-door transportation and playing a crucial role in the city's commitment to equal opportunity and mobility for all residents. However, the current aging fleet poses a threat to the reliability of this service, as older vehicles tend to be more challenging and costly to maintain.
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DISCUSSION:
Our Paratransit Dodge Caravans have exceeded their useful life and are in immediate need of replacement. This procurement initiative, seeking to replace our fleet of 13 Dodge Caravans with Ford Transit vans, is crucial for ensuring the continued effectiveness and reliability of our paratransit services. The decision to transition to Ford Transit is grounded in the belief that these vans will better withstand the diverse and challenging terrains of New Orleans streets, thereby granting more dependable transportation for our passengers.
The selection of Ford Transit vans is not only based on their well-established durability but also on their ability to navigate the unique conditions presented by the streets of New Orleans. This transition is driven by the desire to enhance the overall reliability of our Paratransit services, ensuring that our vehicles can consistently meet the demands of our operational environment.
Furthermore, the design of the Ford Transit vans will incorporate a wheelchair lift at the back of the vehicle, representing a significant improvement over previous vans with similar footprints while still being smaller than the cutaway vans. Our commitment to accessibility, reflected in this design improvement, aligns with our mission to provide inclusive and high-quality transportation services to all members of our community.
The agency will be utilizing the Oklahoma state contract for the procurement, contract number SW079C. The adoption of a joint procurement method will expedite the process, streamlining the acquisition of the Ford Transit vans. Notably, the Oklahoma state contract award to Creative Bus Sales was the result of a competitive bid procurement process, ensuring a cost-effective and efficient acquisition of these essential vehicles for our Paratransit fleet.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The funds for this procurement will be made available through local funding from the remaining capital budget account 01-0000-00-1513-000-00-00-00000-00000 in the amount of $2,328,677.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval, staff will work to issue a purchase order and finalize the project timeline.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Oklahoma State Contract
3. Oklahoma authorization letter
4. Mobility Trans Contract
5. Procurement Routing Sheet
Prepared By: Ryan Moser
Title: Chief Asset Management Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
12/4/2023
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer