Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: ON-ROUTE OPPORTUNITY CHARGERS FOR ZERO EMISSION BUSES
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
WITHDRAWN: AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a seven-year, firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP128598000 to EO Charging US, Inc., for the acquisition and installation of up to 73 on-route opportunity chargers and associated components, parts, and software, and a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the maintenance of the equipment in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $47,193,912, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
B. EXECUTE individual contract modifications within the Board-approved CMA.
Issue
ISSUE
In January 2023, the Board authorized staff to issue a federally-funded Best Value Request for Proposals (RFP) using competitive negotiations pursuant to PCC § 20217 for the procurement of new Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and to support charging infrastructure.
This action authorizes the award of a contract to acquire, install, and commission up to 73 on-route opportunity chargers and associated components, parts, and software. The Contract also includes a warranty, Service Level Agreement (SLA), and the acquisition of electrical Switchgear needed for each location, but excludes any supporting civil site work. The on-route chargers are needed to support zero-emission buses operating across Metro’s system.
Background
BACKGROUND
In July 2017, the Board approved Motion 50 by Directors Bonin, Garcetti, Najarian, Hahn, and Solis (Attachment A), which endorsed a ZEB Strategic Plan to transition Metro’s entire bus fleet to zero emission by 2030. This was contingent on cost and performance equivalence with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and continued advancements in technology. In 2018, the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation mandated that all transit agencies in the state operate zero-emission fleets by 2040. Metro has met all state-mandated program requirements a decade earlier than the ICT mandate and is committed to a goal of 100% zero emissions for all future procurements.
As Metro onboards battery electric buses (BEBs), on-route opportunity charging is essential to enable Metro’s future BEB fleet to complete its longer service blocks. In December 2024, Metro released a solicitation for up to 73 on-route opportunity chargers to support the necessary expansion of Metro’s on-route charging infrastructure. The procurement was intentionally structured to encourage maximum competition and inclusivity, allowing for a range of charging equipment and solutions from Contractors and equipment manufacturers. Metro has already begun working with the electrical utility service planning departments for the new electrical feeds that will be required for the opportunity charging equipment.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Staff’s recommendation presents the firm that is most advantageous to Metro. EO Charging US, Inc.’s offer represents the highest rated and best value to Metro when all technical and price factors are considered in accordance with the RFP evaluation criteria.
The initial order of 13 on-route opportunity chargers will be installed at North Hollywood Station and Universal City / Studio City Station to support the North San Fernando Valley Transit Improvements Project (NSFV TIP) and North Hollywood to Pasadena BRTs and other local routes. They will also be installed at Divisions 8 (Chatsworth) and 15 (Sun Valley) to support the electrification of the NSFV TIP.
The contract also includes up to 60 future on-route opportunity chargers. As Metro’s BEB fleet grows, additional on-route opportunity charging infrastructure may be required. Future on-route chargers will be acquired through a task order in the contract once analysis and site studies determine the required locations and quantities.
A six year Service Level Agreement (SLA) and warranty for the new charging equipment is included to guarantee that qualified and experienced personnel are readily available for preventative maintenance advanced troubleshooting and major repairs. Preventative maintenance includes routine inspections, cleaning, adjustments, part and or filter replacement, and testing as directed by the charger's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to ensure optimal system performance and to prevent unexpected failures. The SLA also requires the contractor to provide remote response service to reset the charging equipment and send a service technician on-site within 24 hours (7 days a week) to address problems as needed. This SLA incorporates insights gained from previous contracts, allows for liquidated damages to be assessed for chargers not restored to service within 48 hours of written notice and if multiple chargers are down concurrently for warranty repairs, thereby enhancing equipment availability and reliability.
If the Board approves this contract, then EO Charging US, Inc., is expected to acquire, deliver, install, test, commission, warranty, and provide an SLA for up to 73 on-route opportunity chargers and associated components, parts, and software.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
There is no impact on safety. The recommendation supports the expansion of Metro’s on-route opportunity charging infrastructure, which is needed for Metro’s future BEB fleet.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The budget of $2.5 million for the start-up activities associated with the initial order of 13 chargers is included in the FY26 budget under Project 202815 - Division 8 Charging Infrastructure, cost center 3048. The budget for the equipment and installation of the 13 chargers will be included in the FY27 annual budget under Project 202815 - Division 8 Charging Infrastructure, which has a total Life of Project Budget of $65,150,000. Since this is a multi-year contract, the project manager(s) and Sr. Executive Officer of Vehicle Engineering and Acquisition will be responsible for budgeting the costs in future years.
Impact to Budget
Project 202815 has an adopted Life of Project (LOP) budget of $65,150,000. The current sources of funds are $10 million in Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds for the acquisition of opportunity charging equipment and $55,150,000 in Transportation Development Act Article 4 (TDA ART 4). The funding sources are eligible for bus & rail operations and capital projects.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The on-route opportunity chargers will support the operation of BEBs, which will operate on routes restructured through the NextGen transit service plan. The service area of the corridors is 147 square miles, encompassing 2.2 million people in 650,000 households and 750,000 employees. Therefore, the corridors contain approximately 21% of the County’s population and approximately 20% of the County’s employment.
Priority populations are identified as disadvantaged or low-income communities by Senate Bill 535 (SB 535) and Assembly Bill 1550 (AB 1550). There is great overlap between these areas and the areas that Metro defines as Equity Focus Communities. The zero-emission bus program projects are targeted at benefiting communities with some of the greatest mobility needs in Los Angeles County. The project service corridors are composed of 88% of Low-Income Communities as identified by AB 1550, 73 percent disadvantaged Communities as identified by SB 535, and 61% Equity Focus Communities as defined by Metro’s EFC definition.
The initial order of 13 on-route opportunity chargers includes installations at Divisions 8 (Chatsworth) and 15 (Sun Valley) to support electrification of the North San Fernando Valley Transit Improvements Project. Division 8 serves a total of 352 census tracts, with 95 identified as Equity Focused Communities. Division 15 services a total of 501 census tracts, with 230 identified as Equity Focused Communities.
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 improving 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 to ensure continued progress.
This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through equipment purchase activities that will benefit and 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
This recommendation supports Goal #3, Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternative approach would be to forgo the purchase of opportunity chargers and depend solely on depot charging to support the BEB fleet. However, this strategy is not advisable given the current limitations in BEB technology, which restricts range and affects the ability to fully replace the compressed natural gas (CNG) bus fleet for certain routes.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. OP128598000 with EO Charging US, Inc., and issue a Notice to Proceed.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Board Motion 50
Attachment B - Procurement Summary
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Alberto Garcia, Senior Manager, Project Control, (213) 922-6760
Amy Romero, Deputy Executive Officer, Project Management, (213) 922-5709
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
