Submitted By: Tom Duncan
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Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve the purchase of a Federal Transit Administration heavy-duty Category B 35-foot diesel transit bus from Gillig, LLC, using Jacksonville Transportation Authority Contract P-23-030 State of Florida Heavy Duty Buses, in the amount of $717,172
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: The Growth Management Department recommends the purchase of a 35-foot diesel transit bus from Gillig, LLC (Gillig), for a total of $717,172. This purchase will be made using the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Contract P-23-030 under the State of Florida Heavy Duty Buses Program. Funding for this acquisition comes entirely from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) 5307 Consolidated Grant and requires no local match. The bus will replace an existing vehicle that has reached the end of its service life, which is in line with FTA standards.
The City Council approved the grant funding through Budget Resolution 2024-131 on April 16, 2024. This marks Ocala's first 35-foot diesel bus purchase since 2019, when seven buses were added to the fleet. Furthermore, staff will soon propose the purchase of five electric buses under the Low/No Emissions Grant. These upgrades support SunTran's broader goals of improving service reliability, diversifying the transit fleet, and enhancing overall quality.
FINDINGS & CONCLUSIONS: A price analysis was conducted in accordance with FTA and City regulations. Among the manufacturers considered, Gillig offered the best value with a base price of $589,282, compared to New Flyer's $615,900. Including add-ons, the total cost comes to $717,172. The JTA contract, which took effect on November 22, 2024, secures firm pricing for manufacturing and delivery.
FISCAL IMPACT: The project requires no local match and wi...
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