Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 21, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM ASSISTANCE SERVICES
Action
ACTION: APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a cost-plus fixed fee, task order-based Contract No. AE129745EN086, to Cumming Management Group, Inc. for Sustainability Program Assistance Services (SPAS), for a three-year base term in an amount Not-To-Exceed (NTE) $7,500,000, plus two, one-year options in an NTE amount of $2,500,000 for each option year, for a total NTE amount of $12,500,000, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protests, if any; and
B. AWARD individual Task Orders and modifications up to the NTE contract amount of $7,500,000. or the project’s authorized amount, whichever is less.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro has been operating an industry-leading sustainability program since 2007. Metro has incorporated sustainability and resilience principles throughout its agency operations, focusing on climate, energy, water, resource conservation, and management. In addition to the environmental and social benefits derived from these programs, Metro has also received financial benefits that have facilitated the expansion of initiatives for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The need for more efficient and cost-effective management of this program comes at a very opportune time.
The Board's adoption of the 10-year Sustainability Strategic Plan Moving Beyond Sustainability (MBS) in 2020 facilitated the implementation of a more robust sustainability and resiliency vision. Now that the implementation phase of the Plan is halfway through, staff is seeking new consulting support through 2030 to continue providing oversight of program and project management. The recommended contract award of Contract No. AE129745EB986 is designed to assist Metro in executing the strategies and actions described in MBS.
This contract will enhance staff’s internal ability to plan, develop, design, track, and oversee sustainability strategies and actions to 2030. Having a consultant workforce supporting MBS implementation provides seamless opportunities to scale up or down the implementation program as the agency sets priorities.
Background
BACKGROUND
Since 2007, Metro has implemented policies, plans, initiatives, and reporting mechanisms that have integrated sustainability, resilience, and equity into the operations. The Metro Board adopted the MBS in September 2020. The Board received and filed an update on our five-year performance and execution strategies in January 2026.
The MBS is the agency’s short and long-term commitment to operational and regional ambitious sustainability and resiliency goals to achieve three things: first, advance the sustainability vision of creating an organizational culture and workforce that continually integrates sustainability into all aspects of decision-making and execution; second, increase mobility and access to opportunities for the communities Metro serves; and third, affirm Metro as a public transit leader that is setting the standard for transit agencies across the United States on taking bold action to tackle climate change and address serious environmental challenges. The MBS is Metro’s sustainability and resiliency roadmap to 2030 and beyond.
... Discussion
DISCUSSION
MBS established 20 quantitative and/or time-bound targets across seven performance categories, all of which were underpinned by strategies and actions to be implemented by all Metro staff. Collectively, they constitute a practical roadmap that has guided the agency’s work for the last five years through 2030.
Recognized as the gold standard in the transit industry, this program has also expanded to encompass more than 150 separate initiatives that positively impact Metro and the region it serves. The successes and the challenges Metro overcame were achieved through the deliberate planning of sustainability and resiliency projects, as well as the procurement of consultant resources to support the overall program.
Among the most notable cumulative outcomes through previous and current SPAS contracts include:
1. 80% of Metro’s MBS targets have been achieved or are on track for achievement within the next five years.
2. Initiatives to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions are proving to be highly effective. Metro is currently committed to reducing total GHG emissions by 79% from its 2017 baseline. Since 2017, Metro has reduced emissions by nearly 68%. Metro is also far exceeding targets tied to reducing criteria air pollutants (i.e., nitrogen oxides and particulate matter).
3. Landfill diversion efforts on construction sites are showing impressive results, currently exceeding Metro’s construction waste diversion target of 85%.
4. Metro is currently ahead of schedule with respect to its energy demand target, as well as its water quality and conservation targets.
In addition, with support from the current SPAS contract, Metro has also seen significant success in monetizing environmental benefits. Since 2014, alternative funding mechanisms associated with Metro sustainability and resiliency programs have generated $201.5M in revenue opportunities, enabling Metro to address operational sustainability and resiliency while maintaining a state of good repair.
The recommended consultant will provide as-needed analysis, studies, surveys, investigations, modeling, forecasting, and/or reports related to the operation and maintenance of Metro’s transportation system, facilities, and support activities. The recommended SPAS consultant will support Metro staff and provide project and program management assistance to other consultants, ensuring a cohesive, cost-effective, and accountable MBS implementation across the agency.
Attachment B lists the major activities the consultant will provide as a service to Metro over the life of this contract.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This Board action will not have an adverse impact on Metro safety standards. The outcomes and work products of the Contract will increase safety enterprise-wide. Sustainability-related projects and programs are designed, programmed, and implemented to enhance the environmental benefits of the sustainable infrastructure and initiatives. They also equitably provide health and safety for the staff and enhance the customer experience of the system.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Contract No. AE129745EN086 will be an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. No funds are obligated until a task order is issued by a Metro authorized Contracting Officer against a valid project budget. All task orders are to be negotiated individually, and the level of effort is to be fully defined prior to the authorization of any project-specific funds. Execution of work under those task orders can continue beyond the contract end date.
Obligations and authorizations made within the total Contract Amount will be against an applicable existing capital or operating project and within the Board-approved Metro fiscal year budget. The Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Program Management Officer, and Project Managers of each project utilizing this contract will be responsible for developing and overseeing the appropriate annual budgets.
Impact on Budget
The initial source of funds for this contract is included in the FY26 budget under Project Number 450003 - Sustainability Environment, Cost Center 2150 Sustainability Policy, Account 50316 Professional and Technical Services. The use of eligible funds from bus and rail operations for CWOs will be limited to work orders that directly impact Metro operations.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This contract is to support work in the MBS, which includes several actions that are focused on generating equitable outcomes and reducing environmental burdens in Metro Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). The priorities center around actions that provide local health benefits and opportunities for continued workforce development partnerships. For the next five years, ongoing updates to the MBS strategies and actions will continue to prioritize initiatives that support the long-term operational sustainability of Metro’s growing transit system, positively impacting EFCs, customers, and the broader transit system users across LA County.
New capital projects, programs and initiatives will continue to be fed through integrated equity assessments in early planning phases, using data and resources from the forthcoming Equity Toolkit, Community Demographic Profiles and Metro’s Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) for larger capital projects. The data and insights collected from these assessments are intended to support the ongoing evaluation and continual improvement of sustainability, energy equity and climate action as part of Metro’s Equity Platform.
Cumming Management Group, Inc. made a 34% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) commitment on this task order-based contract. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that makes changes to the DBE Program, including suspension of goals and enforcement, effective October 3, 2025. Metro is currently reviewing the Interim Final Rule (IFR) to identify necessary program and procedural changes to ensure full compliance. Although the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, 11 certified small businesses are participating in this contract. This is noteworthy because small businesses are vital to the economy, as they drive job creation, foster innovation, and strengthen local communities.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and VMT per capita in LA 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.
While this item does not directly encourage transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it supports the MBS for operational resiliency, environmental and sustainability goals and cost-effective resource management strategies. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports work in 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
This professional services contract will support the implementation of Metro’s Strategic Plan Goals, with specific alignment to Initiative 5.2 - Exercise good public policy judgement and sound fiscal stewardship, and Initiative 5.4 - Apply prudent commercial business practices to create a more effective agency.
This Contract will support these strategic goals by 1) advancing operational efficiency; 2) generating cost savings through the only as-needed use of consultant support for the achievement of the MBS goals.
Alternatives Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
This Contract is designed to provide the project management support necessary to continue implementing Metro’s sustainability program, specifically focusing on the implementation, tracking, and reporting of MBS strategies and actions in Metro planning, design, construction, procurement, and operations and maintenance, as well as supporting environmental finance intiatives. While certain scopes may appear administrative in nature, they are integral components of a coordinated, agency-wide sustainability framework that supports capital program delivery, regulatory compliance, performance accountability, and cross-divisional alignment across Metro.
Staff can solicit and award individual contracts every time additional staff are needed for oversight in any of the programmed sustainability-related efforts. Staff isnot recommending this option. Individually procuring these micro-contracts have associated inconsistent and most likely cumulative higher administrative and execution costs, especially in a sustainability program as large as Metro’s. As many of the projects overlap within a single major capital project or facility, having multiple consultants with overlapping skills will cause delays and result in administrative inefficiencies.
Without a SPAS contract, staff would be limited in their ability to execute and scale the sustainability and resiliency programs to the current level, degree, and impact. Anything less than Metro’s current pace of delivery results in lost opportunity to achieve the regional environmental, social, economic and financial benefits that Metro continues to lead and achieve. The contract term appropriately supports the multi-year planning, implementation, and reporting lifecycle of major sustainability initiatives, including those associated with major events such as the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Next Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. AE129745EN086 and proceed with issuing task orders as the need for these services arise. Activities and work products related to the support provided by this Contract are going to be included in the annual Metro Sustainability Report.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Types and Total Value Estimates of Projects - FY26 to FY31
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Cris B. Liban, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, (213) 922-2471
Hoan Tang, Senior Director, Office of Sustainability, (213) 831-2425
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by Timothy Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer,
(213) 922-7297
