Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
Subject
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF OCS WIRE INSTALLATION TRUCK
Action
ACTION: APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer to award a firm fixed price contract, Contract No. DR97819000, to ZAGRO Bahn-und Baumaschinen GmbH, for one (1) Overhead Contact System (OCS) Wire Installation Truck for a firm fixed price of $2,387,340.00, inclusive of sales tax, subject to resolution of any properly submitted protest(s) if any; and
B. FINDING that there is only a single source of procurement for the item(s) set forth in Recommendation A above and that the purchase is for the sole purpose of duplicating or replacing supply, equipment, or material already in use, as defined under Public Utilities Code Section 130237.
(REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE FULL BOARD)
Issue
ISSUE
This procurement is to purchase a specialized OCS wire installation truck to be used for regular maintenance of the OCS wires along Metro’s light rail system and for upcoming overhaul of the OCS systems on the C Line, A Line (north of Union Station), and E Line.
The current method of OCS wire replacement uses hand tools and manual labor to replace heavy gauge copper wire. Utilizing this new OCS wire installation truck will significantly speed up the wire replacement process, potentially reducing the length of service disruptions for patrons.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro currently maintains over 200 miles of Overhead Contact Wire System (OCS) wires for all light rail train lines. This OCS wire truck will be deployed to all light rail lines to maintain the OCS system and improve reliability. Since Metro currently does not have an OCS wire truck in its fleet.,Traction Power crews presently use a bucket truck, crane truck, and hand tools to manually replace OCS contact wire. The OCS wire truck improves work productivity and efficiencies by automating the wire removal and installation processes.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The OCS wire truck will significantly enhance the maintenance process of our OCS infrastructure by allowing for the simultaneous removal of old wire and installation of new wire with the required tension. This truck will support regular maintenance activities as well as upcoming capital projects to replace the OCS wire along the C Line, A Line (north of Union Station), and E Line, improving reliability and state of good repair of the light rail system. It will allow for the simultaneous removal of old wire and installation of new wire with the required tension so that the maintenance crew can use the truck in part of the C Line OCS replacement project and also can maintain the OCS system effectively and safely.
The truck will also be utilized for all other Light Rail Lines and future OCS wire replacement and maintenance. The existing OCS wires on the Pasadena Gold Line (PGL) and Eastside Extension & Expo Phase-1 are also about due for replacement in the near future.
This truck will have a new type of diesel engine that produces lower emissions, is compliant with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) emission standards, has improved efficiency in horsepower, and consumes less fuel. Metro staff researched Zero Emission (ZE) electric power trucks for purchase. The option to purchase a ZE electric power drive OCS wire truck is not available in the US market.
A 2/3 vote of the board is required per Public Utilities Code 130237:
"Notwithstanding Section 130232, the commission may direct the purchase of any supply, equipment, or material without observance of any provision in this article regarding contracts, bids, advertisement, or notice upon a finding by two-thirds of all members of the commission that there is only a single source of procurement therefor and that the purchase is for the sole purpose of duplicating or replacing supply, equipment, or material already in use."
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Metro maintenance crews need to pull the OCS wire to achieve proper tension during wire replacement activities. A new OCS wire truck will provide better efficiency and improved safety and reliability of the light rail system.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
A total of $2,387,340.00 is needed for this action. The budget is contained in Capital Project 205121 - FY24 Metro Green Line OCS Wire Replacement Project. The Life of Project (LOP) budget is $38,350,000.00, which is within the project budget.
Since this is a multi-year contract, the Project Manager will be responsible for budgeting resources in future Fiscal Years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Proposition A. This is eligible for bus and rail operations.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) did not recommend an SBE or DVBE participation goal for this procurement due to limited suppliers and only one bid submitted for the OCS wire installation trucks. Approving the award of the OCS wire installation truck permits Metro to replace the end of useful life OCS wires in optimal time. This minimizes rail service disruption for Metro riders who rely on transit services for their mode of transportation.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports Metro’s Strategic Plan Goal 5) Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization.
A new OCS wire installation truck will improve OCS maintenance and the OCS wire installation process and improve safety by utilizing automated tools to speed up and increase production. With this, Metro is exercising good public policy judgment and sound fiscal stewardship.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff considered not purchasing a new OCS wire installation truck and continue performing the OCS wire replacement process manually using bucket trucks, crane trucks, and hand tools. Replacing the OCS wires without a specialized automation wire truck would take a much longer time to complete, especially for upcoming planned OCS replacement projects for the C Line, A Line (north of Union Station), and E Line.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Following the authorization and execution of the contract, the vendor will begin the manufacturing process and provide Metro with a production schedule to identify milestones consistent with the approved schedule.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared by: Kelvin Zan, Executive Officer, Operations Engineering, (213) 617-6264
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Maintenance and Engineering, (213) 922-3227
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management (213) 418-3051
Reviewed by:
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, Bus (213) 418-3034
