Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MARCH 20, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO B AND D LINES UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY BATTERIES
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to amend Contract No. OP44570-2000B with Skyler Electric Company, Inc., in the amount of $1,403,491 for Task Order No. 9, to provide Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Batteries for Metro B and D Lines, increasing the cumulative Not-to-Exceed (NTE) contract amount from $3,468,400 to $4,871,891.
Issue
ISSUE
The battery banks for the UPS systems at six Metro B and D Line subway stations are nearing the end of their useful life and require replacement. These battery banks provide critical backup power, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of emergency lighting, communication, and Fire Life Safety (FLS) systems during utility power outages or fluctuations. This backup power is essential for maintaining the safety of passengers and employees, especially during station evacuations caused by utility outages. To proceed with the replacements, an increase in funding is necessary to award a task order for the battery banks.
Background
BACKGROUND
In October 2018, the Board approved establishing a task order bench contract under Request for Information and Qualification (RFIQ) No. OP44570-2. The contract award was made to two firms, M.C. Dean, Inc., and Skyler Electric Company, Inc. The purpose of the contract was to supply and install UPS batteries at B and D Line subway stations to replace aging batteries nearing the end of their useful life. The contract was authorized for a total of $2,244,000 for a two-year base period, with an additional $1,000,000 allocated for three one-year options, resulting in a total not-to-exceed amount of $3,468,400, inclusive of Contract Modification Authority (CMA). A no-cost contract modification was executed to extend the period of performance through May 30, 2025. Task orders totaling $3,405,800.53 have been awarded to date. Skyler Electric Company, Inc. submitted a proposal in alignment with Metro’s specifications and delivery requirements and M.C. Dean, Inc. has been non-responsive to past requests. The issuance of Task Order No. 9 will be to Skyler Electric Company, Inc. Refer to Attachment B which shows the task order history log and the locations of UPS battery replacements.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Batteries for a total of 17 UPS units were replaced under the original contract scope. However, as the work progressed, an additional 6 UPS units were identified as needing battery replacement, leading to an expansion of the project scope. In addition, battery costs have escalated since 2018 due to rising raw material prices for lithium, cobalt, and nickel, partly caused by increased demand from renewable energy and electric vehicle production. The increase in prices and expansion of the project scope contributed to the additional amount needed for Contract No. OP44570-2000B.
The project work scope under Task Order No. 9 is to replace the UPS battery banks for six stations: North Hollywood, Universal City, Hollywood/Western, Wilshire/Normandie, Hollywood/Vine, and Vermont/Beverly. These UPS battery systems provide backup power for critical infrastructure in the event of a power outage for emergency lighting, fire alarm panels, emergency ventilation control panels, and communications, such as TPIS (Transit Passenger Information Systems) monitors, cameras, radios, emergency / public telephones, public announcements, train control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). In the event of a utility power loss, each station uses emergency backup battery banks capable of supplying up to four hours of power. This ensures the functionality of the critical systems and allows the safe evacuation of passengers and employees in the event of an emergency on the subway system.
The work on the battery bank replacements under Task Order No. 9 will be the final task order issued under Contract No. OP44570-2000B. Separately, the Operations Engineering Department is actively preparing to procure a new contract dedicated to UPS battery banks, which will address the replacement of aging UPS batteries across the Metro rail network.
The replacement of UPS batteries is part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to renew transit infrastructure assets.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
UPS batteries are safety components that ensure the proper functioning of critical systems, including emergency lighting in tunnels and passenger stations, communication networks, and FLS control systems. In underground rail stations, these systems are essential for guiding passengers to safety during power outages or emergencies. Without reliable UPS batteries, critical systems may fail to operate when needed most.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will be funded from capital project 205126 - B and D Line UPS Batteries. The project was approved with a Life-of-Project (LOP) budget of $5,640,000. It is within the project LOP). The Project Manager will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future fiscal years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Measure R 2%, which is eligible for Capital Projects. This funding source maximizes the project funding allocation intent allowed by its approved provisions and guidelines.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The equity benefits of this action enhance the safety of Metro riders along transit lines that directly provide service for Equity Focus Communities (EFCs), specifically for low-income riders who are the primary users of the Metro system.
The B and D Lines serve numerous communities with a high EFC concentration, including Westlake/MacArthur Park, Koreatown, Hancock Park, Hollywood, East Hollywood, and North Hollywood. They also serve as a key transfer connection to other Metro rail lines and multiple bus lines for workers, students, and residents in these EFCs.
This task order bench contract promotes the inclusion of small business and disabled veteran business enterprise participation goals to ensure fairness and equitable opportunities for smaller contractors. Skyler Electric Company committed to a 5% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation on this task order-based contract. Currently, based on task order awards and payments, the participation levels stand at 4.44% for SBE and 2.14% for DVBE. Skyler Electric Company (SEI) has a shortfall mitigation plan on file and contends, and concurred by Metro’s Project team, open orders with both SBE and DVBE subcontractors are still pending. SEI stated that once these orders are received and payment is reported, the company expects to meet its commitment goals. See Attachment C for the DEOD Summary information.
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 State of Good Repair (SGR) investments to renew UPS batteries, which provide backup power to critical systems at Metro B and D Line stations. These SGR investments further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. 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
Approval of this recommendation aligns with Metro’s Strategic Plan by advancing Goal No.2, which is to deliver outstanding trip experiences for all transportation system users, and Goal No. 3, which is to enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to increase the Contract Modification Authority for Contract No. OP44570-2000B. However, this is not recommended. The alternative of purchasing UPS batteries individually would result in higher costs and a longer time to procure.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval of the recommendations, staff will amend Contract No. OP44570-2000B and award Task Order No. 9 needed to proceed with the project work.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Task Order Log
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Geyner Paz, Chief Administrative Analyst, (213) 922-3744
Darryl Lewis, Senior Director, Traction Power Engineering, (213) 613-2105
Kelvin Zan, Executive Officer, Operations Engineering, (213) 617-6264
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Infrastructure Maintenance and Engineering, (213) 922-3227
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
