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PUBLIC WORKS / PURCHASING - Interim Director Tom Provine
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) BID WAIVER
1. Request authorization to use Assignment of Options to purchase transit vehicles as detailed in Assignment to Purchase Agreement Letter received from the CalACT-Basin Transit Purchasing Cooperative to allow the County to utilize the existing collective procurement agreement for the purchase of two (2) Allstar E-450 Type C Gasoline buses, and one (1) Braun Ability Low Floor MiniVan
2. Request to find it is in the best interest of the County to waive the formal bid process for the acquisition of the two (2) transit vehicles, and one (1) minivan
b) TRANSFER OF FUNDS: TCTC, B-40 - From Contingency (3037-59000) $110,000.00 to Fixed Assets-Vehicles (3037-57605) (Requires a 4/5’s vote)
c) Request approval and authorization for the Purchasing Agent to sign Purchase Order No. SD-10347 with maximum compensation not to exceed $420,000
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Financial Impact:
Local Transportation Fund (LTF) will be utilized for these purchases. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Background Information:
Tehama County Transit (TRAX) has an identified need to replace two transit vehicles in order to maintain service reliability, control escalating maintenance costs, and ensure continued compliance with operational and accessibility requirements. The proposed vehicles are two (2) Allstar E-450 Type C gasoline buses, and one (1) Braun Ability Low Floor MiniVan, which are consistent with the County’s current fleet composition and operational needs.
As a member of the California Association of Coordinated Transportation (CALACT), Tehama County is eligible to participate in the CalACT-Basin Transit Purchasing Cooperative, which was established to allow public transit agencies to jointly procure vehicles through competitively awarded contracts. The cooperative operates under the Agreement Regarding Purchase of Transit Vehicles, Contract No. 20-01, with Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, which was awarded following a formal competitive solicitation process that satisfies all applicable public procurement requirements.
The County has received an Assignment to Purchase Agreement Letter from the CalACT-Basin Transit Purchasing Cooperative authorizing the use of an Assignment of Options under this contract. This mechanism allows the County to take advantage of pre-negotiated pricing, standardized specifications, and favorable delivery timelines without the time, cost, and administrative burden of conducting a separate formal bid process.
Utilizing the CALACT cooperative procurement ensures price reasonableness, compliance with County bidding requirements, and consistency with best practices for transit vehicle acquisition. It also allows the County to secure vehicles at historically low pricing during a period of ongoing supply-chain constraints and rising vehicle costs.
The proposed acquisition supports fleet state-of-good-repair objectives, reduces the risk of service disruptions, and improves reliability for transit-dependent riders. Funding for the vehicles will be provided through the Local Transportation Fund (LTF), with a small contingency transfer required to complete the purchase. No General Fund resources are requested or impacted.
For these reasons, staff recommend approval of the requested actions, including the waiver of the formal bid process, authorization to use the Assignment of Options through the CALACT purchasing cooperative, and issuance of the purchase order.