Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
APRIL 16, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS - OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP127536000 to Axxera Inc. for the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Operations & Maintenance services, inclusive of a five-year base in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $2,373,210, and $1,008,000 for the first one-year option, and $1,008,000 for the second one-year option, for a total NTE amount of $4,389,210 subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest, if any; and
B. EXECUTE individual contract modifications within the Board-approved contract modification authority.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro’s existing Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) network is managed by a third-party vendor, which has provided these networking, operations, maintenance, and installation services since August 2019. The current contract expires on April 30, 2026.
As of January 2026, Metro’s existing Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) inventory includes 168 Level 2 EVSE units, 148 of which are currently installed and active across several Metro operating divisions and park-and-ride facilities. This network will grow to as much as 3,000 chargers over the next five years and operation and maintenance of new EVSE installations will be crucial for charging across four use-types: 1) employee charging, 2) non-revenue fleet charging, 3) park-and-ride charging, and 4) public charging.
The competitive solicitation process summarized in this report has allowed Metro to select a vendor to continue the operations of the existing network and support future expansion.
…Background
BACKGROUND
Metro is committed to meeting ambitious emissions-reduction goals through various strategies across our service region, including promoting electric vehicles. Installation of EV chargers is an essential component of EV deployment. The regional availability of EV chargers must be in place to achieve successful growth in EV usage.
The Metro Board approved the 2023-2028 Electric Vehicle Parking Strategic Plan (EVPSP) in June 2022 as a strategic blueprint for sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for our region. These commitments have been in place since 2007 and are reaffirmed through the Board-approved 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update, the 2025 Energy Master Plan (EMP), and the 2025 Moving Beyond Sustainability Strategic Plan Update.
Metro is committed to meeting ambitious emissions reduction goals through various strategies across our service region, including promoting the use of electric vehicles. Installation and ongoing operation of EV Chargers is an essential component of EV adoption. The regional availability of EV chargers must be in place to achieve successful growth in EV usage.
Metro has committed to regionally deploying EV chargers to meet internal, local, and state ambitious emissions reduction goals. The EVPSP defines the charging infrastructure requirements, outlines a prioritized approach to charging deployment, and estimates the costs and benefits associated with completing the EV Parking Strategy. The Plan also defines policies and management strategies to facilitate a successful charging program for internal operations and public use.
With over a decade of deployment, the Metro EV Charger network serves approximately 7,000 subscribed customers. Metro’s charging equipment is compliant with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), which allows for the flexibility and interoperability of various charging network service providers across Metro’s network and on existing charging hardware. Metro’s current network of 168 chargers is operated and maintained through a contract with the current contractor, Axxera.
As of January 2026, Metro operates 168 Level 2 EV charging ports, of which 146 are deployed at Park and Ride (P&R) locations for public use. There are two chargers reserved for Board use at Metro’s Gateway building. Metro does not currently have chargers installed for dedicated employee use at its facilities.
Metro crafted the EV Parking Strategic Plan to prioritize funding availability from utility programs and other potential future grant sources. Staff has been pursuing all possible grants or other funds to reduce the capital or operational costs of completing the EV Parking Strategy.
Since January 2020, Metro has earned a cumulative total of $385,121.37 from the EV charger network of about 100 chargers. At full build-out and current EV charger pricing and actual range of charger utilization, the forecasted annual revenue is anticipated to be between $2M-$2.5M.
... Discussion
DISCUSSION
The proposed contract will provide comprehensive services to operate, maintain, and expand Metro’s EV charging network across employee and public facilities. The contractor will be responsible for network management, equipment maintenance, customer service, data reporting, and system optimization for Metro’s existing chargers, as well as supporting the operations and maintenance, and the phased deployment of additional charging infrastructure. The contract will also enable integration with third-party financing and delivery models, including potential public-private partnerships, to accelerate installation of up to 3,000 chargers while minimizing upfront capital costs to Metro.
Services will include: (1) operation and maintenance of existing EV chargers; (2) network services and payment systems; (3) customer access and subscription management; (4) performance monitoring and reporting; and (5) support for future charger deployment, including coordination with utility programs, grants, and private partners.
Staff recommended the use of a competitive negotiation process for the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to allow for the consideration of technical and commercial factors, such as past performance related to schedule adherence, quality and reliability, as well as price in the contract award selection process. By establishing explicit factors that identified Metro’s priorities, the solicitation used evaluation criteria important to Metro to augment price considerations.
In addition to the ability to evaluate key technical and schedule factors, the competitive negotiation process permits direct discussions and negotiations with Proposers to clarify requirements and cost prior to an award recommendation. This process minimizes the risks associated with a complex specification and scope of work by allowing the parties to clarify ambiguities and correct deficiencies.
The scope of work for this procurement does not come into conflict with existing union agreements and does not overstep the work and performance expectations of existing operations, facilities and maintenance staff.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The award of this contract will have a direct and positive impact on safety, service quality, system reliability, performance, and overall customer satisfaction. The existing and new electric vehicle charging stations are going to be operationally installed, operated, and maintained consistently across the system.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funding of $2,373,210.00for the Contract No. OP127536000 is included in Cost Center 2150, Project 450003. There are two scopes of work in this contract: operations of the EV charger network and the maintenance of the EV chargers due to vandalism, weather impacts, on-ground software updates, and charger replacements.
Obligations and authorizations made within the total Contract Amount will be against specific project or operations budgets which make up the Board-approved Metro budget for any particular fiscal year. Specific funding for this contract will parallel the project approved by the Board under separate actions. The Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Program Management Officer, and Project Manager of each of the projects will be responsible for developing and overseeing the appropriate annual budgets.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funding for this action is the Metro Green Fund (derived from carbon credits). This fund source is eligible for Metro Bus and Rail operating and capital projects. Revenues are anticipated to be used to offset any operations and maintenance program costs.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Award of this contract advances Metro’s Equity Platform by delivering energy reliability improvements that protect communities most dependent on transit. Lower-income riders, communities of color, people with disabilities, seniors, youth, and essential workers disproportionately rely on Metro for daily access to jobs, healthcare, and basic services-and they are the first and hardest hit when outages disrupt service.
At least half of the existing charger locations are in or adjacent to the Equity Focus Communities. Continuing the EV charger service under this contract will facilitate continued access to EV charging for Metro’s non-revenue fleet and transit riders, while a new more comprehensive expansion program is in development. While there are currently ~7,000 public customers that are served by the EV Charger Program, the current program does not capture the demographics of EV owners that use our service.
The Diversity & Economic Opportunity Department established a 30% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal for this solicitation; and was issued as a Medium-Size Enterprise I set-aside. Axxera, Inc., an SBE firm, met the goal by making a 30% SBE and 3% DVBE commitment.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational activities that will support Metro’s need to implement advanced strategies to meet our energy and climate goals and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational activities that will support Metro’s EV charging infrastructure expansion at Metro stations and need to implement advanced strategies to meet our energy and climate goals. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Continuing our EV charger operations while developing the PDA supports the implementation of Metro’s Strategic Plan Goals, aligning with the following goals:
1.2.D: Improve connectivity to provide seamless journeys by improving Park & Ride experience for electric vehicle owners and providing charging access to those who lack access to home charging.
4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership with partners to develop EV charging and help meet City and State initiatives to accelerate EV adoption through greater access to electricity as a transportation fuel.
5.7: Metro will build and nurture a diverse, inspired, and high-performing workforce by providing workplace charging to employees and supporting those who drive EVs or are interested in owning an EV but lack reliable locations to charge one.
Further, the continued use of EV chargers addresses the 2025 CAAP Update, 2025 MBS Plan, and 2025 EMP goals. The CAAP committed Metro to a 79% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our internal operations by 2030 and included measures to install EV charging at Metro facilities for employee commuter use. The MBS Plan emissions and pollution control Goal 5.4 included exploring “further measures to reduce employee commuting emissions.”
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the recommendation to award the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Services under Contract No. OP127536000. Staff does not recommend this alternative because it would risk the use and service of all Metro EV Chargers for our 7,000 subscribed customers while we develop an accelerated path for EV charger deployment.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the contract. Material activities and work products relative to the support provided by this contract will be included in Metro’s annual sustainability report.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Cris B. Liban, Chief Sustainability Officer, (213) 922-2471
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Senior Director, (213) 523-9351
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by Timothy Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer
(213) 922-7297
