Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MARCH 17, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: BUS OPERATOR SAFETY BARRIER INSTALLATION KITS
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE:
A. the Chief Executive Officer to award a not-to-exceed contract under Bid Number OP17007 to NABI Parts Inc., for the purchase of Bus Operator Safety Barrier Installation Kits for a base amount not to exceed $5,443,449, inclusive of sales tax; and
B. the amendment of the FY16 Adopted Budget to add 4 represented full time equivalents (FTE’s).
Issue
ISSUE
In July 2015, in response to increased operator assaults on Metro’s bus fleet, Metro’s CEO directed staff to retrofit all of Metro’s existing bus fleet with protective Bus Operator Safety Barriers in order to provide operators additional protection against bus operator assaults. The initial response was in September 2015, when Metro authorized contract modifications with New Flyer of America to retrofit all 900 New Flyer buses delivered under Contract OP33202869 with operator safety barriers. There are 1,300 buses remaining in Metro’s fleet that are in need of retrofitting with barriers.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Metro is dedicated to increasing the safety of our Operators and customers. No matter how minor, assaults on Operators cause worker absence, productivity losses and increased levels of stress for the victim and their coworkers. Therefore, it is important that Metro continue its preventative measures to address the issue of Operator assaults.
This procurement provides for the purchase and delivery of Bus Operator Safety Barrier “Installation Kits” that will be used to retrofit all remaining buses in Metro’s active bus fleet. Staff will install the operator barriers on up to 1,300 buses over the next two years.
Installation includes mounting of brackets to support the barriers, grab rails to secure the barriers in the closed position and the barriers themselves. The installation process requires 10 hours of work for each bus. Additional work is essential prior to and after the installation of the barrier kits to prepare the buses. The fareboxes need to be removed and reinstalled in order to install the barriers.
Metro will retrofit barriers according to fleet age beginning with the newest series. As buses are retired over the next two years, the number of barriers purchased and installed will correspondingly be reduced until the fleet is fully retrofitted or equipped from the manufacturer.
Metro is recommending that the Board approve 4 additional represented FTE’s in the FY16 budget. These additional employees will provide the necessary labor to install the equipment. These additional personnel will be absorbed through attrition following the completion of the program.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The installation of protective Bus Operator Safety Barriers is expected to help reduce the rate of operator assaults in Metro’s bus fleet.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding of $500,000 for the components is included in the FY16 budget under multiple bus operating cost centers in project 306002 Operations Maintenance under line 50441, Parts - Revenue Vehicle and in the Central Maintenance Cost Center 3366.
Since this is a multi-year contract, the cost center manager, project managers, and Executive Director, Maintenance will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds for this procurement will come from Federal, State and Local funding sources that are eligible for Bus and Rail Operating Projects. These funding sources will maximize the use of funds for these activities.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff considered having operator safety barriers provided only through new vehicle procurements. This approach is not recommended as it would take several years before all Metro buses would be outfitted.
Staff considered using outside contractors to conduct these operator safety barrier installations, but determined that this approach would violate provisions in Metro’s current ATU labor contract.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Metro’s requirements for bus operator safety barriers will be fulfilled under the provisions of the contract.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: John Drayton, Director of Vehicle Technology, (213) 627-6285
Amy Romero, Director, Regional Rebuild Center (213) 922-5709
Christopher Reyes, Transportation Planning Manager, (213) 922-4808
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: James T. Gallagher, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 922-4424
Ivan Page, Interim Executive Director, Vendor/Contract Management, (213) 922-6383
