DEPARTMENT MAKING REQUEST
Budget & Admin Services
Title
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26-285, Award Piggyback, Ford E450 2026 Turtle Top Odyssey Cutaway Transit Bus (Transit)
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REQUESTED MOTION/ACTION
recommendation
Recommended Action:
a) Approve the Piggyback award, File #26-285, for the purchase of three (3) Ford E450 2026 Turtle Top Odyssey Cutaway Transit Buses, per the FDOT Contract #TRIPS-22-CA-MB-LF-NBC, Standard Cutaway and Minibus Chassis Type Transit Vehicles, and award to Nations Bus Corporation, located in St. Augustine, Florida for a purchase price of $161,988 per unit; and
b) Approve Asset #36806, #37437 and #37440 to be sold via auction.
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budget
Budgeted Action:
No action needed. Budgeted in the Heavy Equipment Replacement Capital Maintenance Plan as approved in the FY26 budget process. A Q2 budget adjustment will be brought to the Board for approval. Capital grant funds, including the required 20% match, are included in the FY26 budget for Transit. Transportation Development Credits will be used to fulfill the match requirement. Grant funding will be provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5339 Grant. Transportation Development Credits will be used as a “soft match”, which allows the federal share to be reimbursed up to 100% as authorized by Chapter 53 of the Title 49 U.S.C.
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BACKGROUND (Why is this Action Necessary, and What Action will be accomplished)
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Background:
The purpose of this purchase is to secure a firm price for the purchase and delivery of three (3) Ford E450 2026 Turtle Top Odyssey Cutaway Transit Buses. The new buses will be used in the public transportation sector for transit. The three (3) buses have been specified as, Ford E450 2026 Turtle Top Odyssey Cutaway, 25’, 14,500 #GVWR with a 7.3 L Engine, standard fold away seats, USSC Evolution G2E with pedestal, drive safety partition, powder coated handrails and stanchions, remote controlled exterior mirrors with heat, Hawkeye reverse assistance system, Braun 1000 lb. lift, Tran sign LED Destinator with front and side includes controller and software, TDSS tie down storage, watch your step entry step riser, and deceleration lights.
The buses will have an approximately 23-year useful life, with a 5 year/200,000-mile warranty. The new buses will replace the older unit assets #36806, 37437, and 37440, which will be sold via auction. To satisfy grant requirements, the buses must be purchased in accordance with the Transit Research Inspection Procurement Service (TRIPS). Through the TRIPS, Florida’s public and private non-profit transportation agencies can procure well-equipped, well-built transit vehicles at reduced costs by means of centrally administered statewide contracts for vehicle procurement.
The program ensures that the procurements adhere to and are consistent with all applicable federal, state and FDOT guidelines, requirements, industry standards, and certificates. The purchase of these buses is authorized in our Section Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5339 Grant Agreement. The Section 5339 FTA Grant FY23 Agreement was approved by the Board on 11/3/23 and The Section 5339 FTA Grant FY24 on 7/30/24.
Therefore, it has been determined to be in the best interest of the County to award the purchase of three (3) Ford E450 2026 Turtle Top Odyssey Cutaway Transit Buses, per the FDOT Contract #TRIPS-22-CA-MB-LF-NBC, Standard Cutaway and Minibus Chassis Type Transit Vehicles, and award to Nations Bus Corporation, located in St. Augustine, Florida for a purchase price of $161,988 per unit at a total price of $485,964; and b) Approve Asset #36806, 37437 and 37440 to be sold via auction.
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