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 five Federal Transit Administration Heavy-duty Category B 35-foot low-floor plus battery electric transit buses from Gillig, LLC, in the amount of $6,264,500
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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 five (5) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) heavy-duty Category B 35-foot low-floor plus battery electric transit buses utilizing Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's (PSTA) contract with Gillig, LLC (Contract No. C-22-MT-002) in the amount of $6,264,500.
Funding for this acquisition comes entirely from the FTA's Low or No Emission Vehicle Program, referred to as "Lo-No," and requires no local match. City Council approved the grant funding through Budget Resolution 2024-151 on July 2, 2024, in the amount of $16,166,822. These upgrades support SunTran's broader goals of improving service reliability, diversifying the transit fleet, and enhancing overall quality.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
A policy exception request to piggyback PSTA's contract was submitted by Growth Management staff and approved by the Procurement and Contracting Officer on June 6, 2025. PSTA awarded Contract No. C-22-MT-002 to Gillig, LLC, after a competitive solicitation (RFP 21-980369) where four firms were evaluated: (i) Gillig, LLC, (ii) New Flyer of America, (iii) Proterra Operating Company, and (iv) BYD Coach and Bus. Gillig, LLC, was the highest ranked proposer and the resulting two-year contract commenced on October 27, 2021. The most recent amendment of Contract No. C-22-MT-002, Amendment 3, extended the contract term through October 25, 2025.
SunTran and Procurement Department staff have evaluated the underlying contract and solicitation documents. The solicitati...
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