Submitted By: Tye Chighizola
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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 Category 3 Electric Trolley Bus from Hometown Manufacturing, Inc. using Georgia contract for Public Mass Transit Vehicles and Related Options, Equipment, and Accessories, in the amount of $575,235
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: SunTran is requesting to purchase an electric trolley bus to support the new downtown circular route from Union Station to the hospitals. In 2024, the City Council approved a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Consolidated Capital Grant to cover the acquisition of the electric trolley and related infrastructure. The city was also awarded funding from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through the Public Transit Service Development Program to support the initial marketing efforts and operating expenses. The funding will cover 50 percent of the operating expenses starting after October 1, 2025.
Staff is recommending Hometown Manufacturing Inc. for the purchase of an FTA Category 3 Electric Trolley Bus using the Georgia contract for Public Mass Transit Vehicles and Related Options, Equipment, and Accessories (Contract No. 99999-SPD-SPD0000212-0002). The contract is for three years, beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025, with three one-year renewals.
There are only two domestic-based manufacturers of electric trolley buses: (1) Hometown Manufacturing, Inc. and (2) Gillig, LLC. Staff conducted a price analysis as required by FTA regulations and, based on a comparison between suppliers, found that Hometown offered the best value at $495,192 compared to Gillig's $1,400,000. The Hometown Trolley is awaiting final clearance from FTA concerning the Bus Testing Program required for new model buses. FTA fundi...
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