Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
JANUARY 21, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CYLINDERS
ACTION: APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AWARD a not-to-exceed Contract under Bid No. IFB MA17204 to Worthington Cylinder, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for the procurement for Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel (cylinder) tanks for an amount not-to-exceed $1,462,181.00 inclusive of sales tax.
Issue
ISSUE
In 1998, Metro initiated an Accelerated Bus Replacement program for its transit bus fleet. Between 1999 and 2002, over 1,200 40' CNG buses were purchased. All of these buses used CNG cylinders that cannot be used after they reach their 15 year expiration limits. CNG cylinders are tested and date stamped for a given lifespan. Federal regulations do not permit the use of CNG cylinders past their expiration dates, and there is no known process to recertify or otherwise extend the life of CNG cylinders.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Metro has been purchasing an average of 200 buses annually and continues to receive new buses under the current contract with New Flyer. However due to the Accelerated Bus Replacement program in 1999, there remains a short-term equipment deficit for the next few years. Purchasing cylinders for a replacement program is necessary to bridge this time gap and minimize the impact on bus service.
The first series of buses targeted for CNG fuel cylinder replacement are 2000-01 New Flyer 5300 Series buses with repowered engines. The New Flyer buses have expiring CNG cylinders and have been removed from service. The CNG cylinders being purchased are designed to fit in this particular type of bus. Current inventory and this contract will enable Bus Maintenance to replace CNG fuel cylinders in 150 buses. It is anticipated that additional buses will be required for CNG fuel cylinder replacem...
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