Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MAY 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: HI-RAIL BUCKET UTILITY TRUCKS
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award the firm fixed-price Contract No. DR127482000 to Los Angeles Truck Center (DBA Velocity Truck Centers), the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for four Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks in the amount of $1,868,474.94, inclusive of sales tax, and subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
Pursuant to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Order of Abatement, Case No. 5874-2, Metro is required to replace four Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks in the current fleet with the most current vehicle emissions standard available. Metro has until June 30, 2026, to replace the vehicles or is at risk of fines and/or having to remove the vehicles from active service. These bucket trucks are critical to the Rail Operations as they allow Maintenance of Way (MOW) rail staff to safely perform preventative maintenance and unscheduled repairs on the Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS) throughout Metro’s rail lines. Without these trucks, Rail Operations could experience interruptions of transit service and reliability/safety issues.
Background
BACKGROUND
As a result of a 2021 Order of Abatement from the SCAQMD, Metro is required to replace four older diesel-powered Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks with the most current emission standards. The four trucks being replaced are both older diesel-powered trucks and have also exceeded the Metro replacement policy of 12 years and/or 150,000 miles. The alternative fuels that are currently available do not meet the safety standards required for working in tunnels where these trucks are required to operate. As a result, the current clean diesel standard truck is the only alternative available. A further requirement of the Order for Abatement is for Metro to explore a pilot with a battery electric-powered Hi-Rail Bucket Truck, which is in a separate procurement and is the basis for the allowance of this purchase by the SCAQMD.
The battery electric-powered Hi-Rail Bucket Truck pilot required by SCAQMD has been through the procurement process three times, failing to attract any bidders each time. Procurement will conduct a market survey to explore what is needed to attract bidders. If successful, this will be a first of its kind battery electric-powered Hi-Rail Bucket Truck and could be the path forward for other future Hi-Rail battery electric-powered vehicles.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The award of a firm fixed price contract with Los Angeles Truck Center (DBA Velocity Truck Centers) will allow the purchase of four Rule 1196 compliant replacement Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks. This purchase ensures compliance with the SCAQMD Order of Abatement’s vehicle replacement schedule for these vehicles.
The new trucks meet the operational needs and emit less emissions than the trucks they are replacing. They are equipped with Diesel Particulate Filters that are designed to reduce and trap harmful particulate emissions that come from diesel engine exhaust. These trucks are certified to operate in tunnels, which is necessary for the maintenance and repair work performed by Metro’s MOW department.
Alternative fuel vehicles, such as Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), were considered when deciding on the replacement of the Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks. However, no BEV is currently available for Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks and CNG does not meet Metro’s operational needs or comply with the California Code of Regulation, 8 CCR, Section 8445(i). This regulation prohibits the use of certain fuels, including gasoline and other solvents with a flash point below 100°F, for vehicles operating in the tunnels to ensure the safety of passengers and employees.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The award of the contract for the replacement of Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks will ensure that Metro employees are able to safely perform preventative maintenance and repairs of the overhead catenary systems throughout Metro’s rail lines.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommended award of $1,868,474.94 is budgeted within the Life of Project (LOP) of Capital Project 208608 - AQMD 1196 RULE NON-REV VEHICLE. The budget for this procurement is in Cost Center 3790, Maintenance Administration, Account 53106, Acquisition of Service Vehicles.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is the Transportation Development Act. These funds are eligible for use on Capital and Operations. Allocating these funds to this effort maximizes project funding use given approved provisions and guidelines.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This action will provide support equipment (Hi Rail Bucket Trucks) that will ensure efficient and timely rail service to all communities currently served in Los Angeles County. It will also ensure continued reliable transportation services within the growing rail lines. These vehicles will be deployed throughout Los Angeles County.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) did not recommend a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) nor a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal for this Procurement due to a lack of subcontracting opportunities.
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. While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it will allow the Maintenance of Way (MOW) Rail staff to maintain the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) throughout Metro’s rail lines for safe and reliable service. The item will replace existing trucks with cleaner vehicle technology but will not add to the maintenance truck fleet. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*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
The contract for Hi Rail Bucket Trucks supports Strategic Goal 2.3: Metro will support a customer-centric culture where exceptional experiences are created at every opportunity for both internal and external customers. Hi Rail Bucket Trucks support the maintenance and repair of traction power lines and infrastructure, allowing Metro’s rail transportation system to operate reliably and without interruption. New Hi Rail Bucket Trucks will be more reliable and produce fewer emissions than the trucks they are replacing, contributing to cleaner air and lowering Metro’s carbon footprint.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternative is not to purchase the vehicles, however, this was not considered due to the SCAQMD Order of Abatement, Case No. 5874-2, stipulation that these four vehicles need to be replaced with cleaner emission standards by June 30, 2026. Continuing to operate these vehicles as they are will not comply with the Order of Abatement. Furthermore, potential fines could be imposed, and/or the current vehicles can be ordered by SCAQMD to be removed from service, which could result in the interruption of transit service. These four vehicles are also beyond their expected life of 12 years and/or 150,000 miles, resulting in them being unreliable with excessive mechanical failures, costly repairs, and parts are becoming difficult to locate due to the age of the vehicles.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Following Board approval and execution of the contract, the vendor will commence production of the vehicles. The delivery of four (4) Hi-Rail Bucket Trucks is expected in approximately 240 days.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Alan Tang, Senior Director Non-Revenue Fleet Maintenance, (562) 658-0231
Gary Jolly, Senior Executive Officer (Interim), (213) 922-5802 Matthew Dake, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-4061
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer (213) 418-3034
