Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 16, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: BREDA A650 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLE FRICTION BRAKE AIR COMPRESSOR COMPONENT OVERHAUL
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. ESTABLISHING a Life of Project (LOP) budget of $23,734,912 for A650 Component Overhaul Phase 2;
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer to award a 60-month firm fixed-price Contract No RR119569000 to Wabtec Passenger Transit (Wabtec) for the component overhaul services of the A650 Heavy Rail Vehicle (HRV) fleet friction brake and air compressor systems for a total not-to-exceed amount of $7,980,914.57 subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
C. AWARDING a sole source procurement, pursuant to Public Utilities Code section 130237, for component overhaul services of the A650 HRV Friction Brake Systems from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to Wabtec Passenger Transit.
(REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE FULL BOARD)
Issue
ISSUE
The A650 HRV fleet requires a friction brake overhaul at the 5-year service interval as defined by the OEM. This ensures the vehicle braking equipment operates within design specifications according to Metro’s Corporate Safety and Operations reliability goals while meeting the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) vehicle brake rate and stopping distance. The existing friction brake system on the A650 HRV fleet is proprietary, and this procurement is for the component overhaul services of existing equipment already in use. PUC§130237 allows the use of a single supply source for the sole purpose of duplicating or replacing equipment, material, or supplies. Wabtec is the OEM of the existing friction brake system and possesses rights and control over proprietary data, supplies, and equipment necessary to ensure the full operational capability of its friction brake system. Therefore, Wabtec is the only recommended contractor for this single-source procurement. This procurement is for the overhaul of friction brake equipment to both the base-buy and option-buy fleets consisting of fifty-four (54) kits, including spares. This is the 5th cycle overhaul.
Execution of the friction brake and air compressor overhaul will ensure that the A650 HRV fleet remains in a continuous State of Good Repair (SGR) while safeguarding passenger safety, vehicle reliability, and equipment longevity. This contract is the first of multiple procurements currently in progress for A650 Component Overhaul Phase 2, including a coupler, new collector shoe assembly, GTO, and gearbox overhaul.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Breda A650 Heavy Rail Fleet consists of 100 married-pair vehicles, 26 base-buy married pairs, and 74 option-buy married pairs. It has a combined 31 years of reserve service operations and 168 million cumulative fleet miles.
The Option-buy fleet is currently undergoing a Component Overhaul Program under existing Capital Project #214007. This program includes five major vehicle systems: friction brake and air compressor, traction motor, gearbox, semi-permanent drawbar, and replacement of low-voltage power supply (LVPS) with an updated design. Separate from the LVPS project, the remaining four overhaul projects range from 84% to 92% completion. These projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
This request is for the Metro Board to approve the next cycle friction brake and air compressor overhaul, gearbox, and coupler replacement on both fleet types and establish an LOP budget for A650 Component Overhaul Phase 2.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The A650 HRV fleet friction brake equipment overhaul is performed to ensure continued passenger safety and performance. The HRV friction brake equipment is overhauled every five years as defined by the OEM and monitored by the CPUC.
The friction brake and air compressor overhaul consists of serval components, including electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic component parts, subject to normal wear and tear and, in some instances, replaced with new parts resulting from obsolescence.
Routine maintenance and periodic overhauls of this equipment are critical for the vehicle operator and Metro’s passengers. Safety is of the utmost importance, and ensuring the HRV will stop in all service modes, including emergency braking, is of the utmost importance.
Metro’s Transit Vehicle Engineering developed overhaul statements of work and technical specifications for all systems included in friction brakes based on OEM recommendations and RFS maintainability experience. Upon contract award, the Contractor will overhaul and test the friction brake equipment in accordance with the technical specifications, safety and reliability requirements, and within the RFS production schedule.
A650 Component Overhauls Phase 2
This contract represents the first of multiple component overhaul efforts required to keep the A650 fleet in a State of Good Repair. Separate contracts for additional required overhauls are currently in various stages of development and solicitation, with contract awards for coupler, collector shoe, GTO, and gearbox components expected during FY25. Staff seeks Board approval of a $23,734,912 LOP budget for A650 Component Overhauls Phase 2.
Determination of Safety Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Safety is of the utmost importance to Metro’s passengers and employees. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the A650 HRV fleet friction brake equipment without deferred maintenance while meeting Transit Asset Management Federal guidelines on equipment State of Good Repair (SGR). The friction brake equipment is a vital system that provides the means to stop the vehicle during in-service operations and emergency braking modes.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will establish a $23,734,912 LOP budget for A650 Component Overhauls Phase 2 and award Wabtec a firm-fixed-price contract for overhauling the friction brake and air compressor systems. As agency procurement guidelines require, contracts for other component overhauls included in Phase 2 will be brought to the Board separately for approval.
Since this is a multi-year project, the Component Overhaul Superintendent, Division Director, and Senior Executive Officer of Rail Fleet Services will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future years. The Project Manager and Cost Center Manager will be responsible for budgeting for costs in future years.
Impact to Budget
Funding for this action will consist of Federal, State, and Local funds as they become available, some of which will be eligible for operations. Staff will apply for grant funds, which will be allocated based on grant approval.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Board approval will ensure that Metro’s A650 HRV fleet remains in a constant state of good repair while providing vital transportation services throughout the City and County of Los Angeles via B and D lines, inclusive of many Equity Focus Communities (EFC) where disparities may exist in providing residents access to jobs, housing, education, health, and safety. The A650 HRV fleet operates in areas served, including Union Station to Downtown LA, Koreatown (Wilshire/Western), Hollywood, Universal City, and North Hollywood, most of which serve people living in EFCs.
Based on the 2019 Customer Survey, the Red and Purple heavy rail lines serve the following ridership:
• 27.7% below the poverty line.
• 56.4% had no car available.
• Rider Ethnicity: Latino 38.9%; Black 13.1%; White 25.8%; Asian/Pacific Islander 15.2%; Other 6.5%.
Attachment B shows that Wabtec made a 1.11% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) commitment for this OEM contract.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of the A650 Friction Brake Overhaul supports Strategic Goal 1): Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. This overhaul program ensures sustained fleet reliability, including safe, accessible, and affordable transportation for Metro’s heavy rail vehicle (subway) riders.
The recommendation supports Metro Strategic Plan Goal 5) Provide responsive, accountable, and Trustworthy governance within the Metro organization. Contract Modification Authority and Contract extension safeguard production continuance while reliably meeting passenger safety and fleet needs.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Deferral of this overhaul is not recommended as the friction brake equipment and systems are integral components of the operations and braking that, if not properly maintained, could result in equipment failures, service delays, and risk to passenger safety. Due to the significance of the friction brake systems overhaul, there are no alternatives to be considered.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, the friction brake system overhaul will commence according to stakeholders' mutually agreed production schedules.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Attachment C - A650 Expenditure and Funding Plan
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Bob Spadafora, Senior Executive Officer, Rail Fleet Services,
(213) 922-3144
Richard M. Lozano, Component Overhaul Superintendent, Rail Fleet Services,
(323)-224-4042
Matthew Dake, Deputy Chief Operations Officer
(213) 922-4061
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief, Vendor/Contract Management
(213) 418-3051,
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer (213) 418-3034
