Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JULY 18, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: ZERO EMISSION BUS (ZEB) PROGRAM PLANNING AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a cost plus fixed fee Contract No. PS112435 to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to provide as-needed Program Management Support Services (PMSS), and Design and Engineering Support Services (DESS) for Vehicle Engineering and Acquisition (VEA) to support the conversion of Metro’s bus fleet to Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) by 2030 in the not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $8,399,421 for the five (5) year base term, and $5,668,871 for the three (3) one-year option terms, for a total combined not-to-exceed amount of $14,068,292, subject to the resolution of all properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
In 2018, Metro retained ZEBGO Partners, a joint venture technical consultant, to develop comprehensive plans for phasing Metro’s transition to a zero-emission bus fleet. The term for that consultant contract will expired on January 1, 2025.In 2023, staff released a competitive solicitation to replace it. This action authorizes a contract award to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to provide Consultant Support Services to continue developing comprehensive plans for Metro’s zero-emission transition.
Background
BACKGROUND
In July 2017, the Metro Board of Directors 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, contingent on envisioned cost and performance equivalence with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and continued advancements in charging infrastructure. 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. In addition, ICT ZEB purchase requirements for large transit agencies require 25% of bus purchases to be zero emission by 2023, 50% beginning in 2026, and 100% starting in 2029.
In 2018, Metro retained ZEBGO Partners, a joint venture technical consultant. Under that engagement, Metro prepared its CARB-mandated Rollout Plan in March 2021, ZEB Master Plan in April 2022, and Master Plan Update in December 2023, among other program-level strategic planning documents. Metro has met all State-mandated program requirements, and in September 2019, Metro awarded its final option for CNG buses and committed that all future procurements be 100% zero emission, a decade earlier than the ICT mandate of 2029.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The recommended consultant has demonstrated the depth and breadth of technical and engineering experience and the capacity to support Metro with the anticipated tasks and projects. On an as-needed basis, Statements of Work (SOW) will be developed, defining the type and level of support required for each specific task(s) and project(s). The work will be released to the consultant through task orders.
The scope of work consists of program management support services, design and engineering support services, and other tasks as necessary to support the continued development of the ZEB Master Plan and other ZEB program activities. Consultant services under this contract will provide ZEB and charging infrastructure conceptual design, specification, and procurement support, as well as advise on implementation strategies that ensure a seamless and successful transition to zero-emission operations. The consultant will also prepare updated program cost estimates, transition schedules, technical studies, and strategic plans for specific program elements. As needed, the consultant will support the development, coordination, and implementation of the Transportation Center of Excellence, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Buy America compliance audits, acceptance and reliability of Metro’s ZEB fleet and charging infrastructure, and other tasks as required to support Metro’s ZEB transition.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The approval of this Contract will have no adverse impact on safety.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The contract will allow project-related task orders to be issued and funded by the annual budget(s) upon recommendation approval. Task orders shall be requested and reviewed by the affected Project Manager. They will use available project funds budgeted as professional services under project 405407 - Zero Emission Bus Program Master Plan and shall remain within the authorized FY budgets. Since this is a multi-year contract, the Cost Center Manager, 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
The anticipated task orders will be funded by the respective project(s). Currently, $417,821 is allocated in the FY25 budget under project 405407 -- Zero Emission Bus Program Master Plan, account 5031 Professional Services. The current source of funds for this action is Measure R Admin 1.5%, which is not eligible for operating and capital projects. Staff continually apply for grants and will apply other applicable funding sources as they become available.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Transitioning to a ZEB fleet will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate exhaust/criteria air pollutants, and reduce noise from Metro bus operations. Awarding the ZEB Consultant Support Services Contract will support Metro’s progress in transitioning its fleet and modifying facilities to ensure that all communities, especially Equity Focus Communities (EFCs), see these benefits. Metro’s ZEBs will operate on routes restructured through the NextGen transit service plan, which was developed with consideration for areas with the highest transit usage propensity. In addition, five (50%) of Metro’s directly operated Bus Divisions are located within EFCs.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established a 30% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for this solicitation. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. exceeded the goal by making a 30.24% DBE commitment (Attachment C).
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation will support Strategic Goal # 3 Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity, and Goal # 4 Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff has considered using in-house Metro resources to perform this work; however, this approach is not recommended as Metro does not have sufficient resources and Subject Matter Experts available, especially considering that the zero-emission bus and charging technologies are continuously evolving.
The Board of Directors may choose not to authorize the Contract award; however, staff does not recommend this alternative, as the project is critical to supporting the planning necessary for Metro to achieve its ambitious goals of transitioning its bus fleet to zero emissions. Without consultant support, the achievement of Metro’s transition plan would be at risk.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the Contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. and issue a Notice-to-Proceed. Staff will continue to thoroughly manage and issue individual task orders as needed for vehicle engineering, program management, and design/engineering support services.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Board Motion 50 Strategic Plan for Metro’s Transition to Zero Emission Buses
Attachment B - Procurement Summary
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Shaun Miller, Deputy Executive Officer, Project Management, (213) 922-4952
Jesus Montes, Senior Executive Officer, Vehicle Engineering & Acquisition, (213) 418-3277
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034