BOARD MEETING DATE: February 1, 2002
AGENDA NO. 6

Authorize Purchase of Natural Gas Ford Crown Victoria Vehicles for AQMD Fleet

SYNOPSIS: 

To reduce the number of high-mileage vehicle in AQMD's aging fleet and to promote the use of cleaner alternative fuel vehicles, staff recommends purchasing up to 32 dedicated CNG vehicles. After reviewing specifications of dedicated CNG vehicles available through the State of California Multiple Award Schedule and through local dealerships staff has determined the Ford Crown Victoria as the only available CNG vehicle that meets AQMD's needs in terms of cost, driving range, cargo capacity, fuel economy, ease of handling and product availability. Staff is recommending the purchase of up to 32 natural gas Ford Crown Victorias at a cost not to exceed $815,461. Funds are available in the AQMD FY 2001-02 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, January 18, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the purchase of up to 32 dedicated CNG Ford Crown Victorias and authorize the Procurement Manager to execute all documents for this purchase at an amount not to exceed $815,461.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD budgets annually for the replacement of high-mileage vehicles that are no longer cost effective to maintain and repair. Last year the Board approved the purchase of 29 dedicated CNG Toyota Camry vehicles to replace sedans used primarily by compliance and air monitoring network staff. For the current model year (2002), Toyota is not producing CNG vehicles. The other choices are the Ford Crown Victoria and the Honda Civic. The Ford Crown Victoria is the only available dedicated CNG sedan that meets AQMD’s needs in terms of cargo capacity. Based on request for price quotes of the CNG Ford Crown Victoria through the State of California Multiple Award Schedule and through local dealerships, staff is recommending to purchase the vehicles from Wondries Ford.

Proposal

Based on the price quotes shown in Attachment A, staff is recommending that the Board authorize the Procurement Manager to execute a purchase order with Wondries Ford for up to 32 CNG Ford Crown Victoria (P73 package). The price quotes received include incentives offered by Ford. However, an additional buydown incentive offered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) may be available to the AQMD. Staff believes that the minimum buydown incentive would be $1,500 per vehicle. Staff is in discussion with CEC to determine the possibility of a total buydown of $3,000 per vehicle depending on how matching MSRC funds are considered by the CEC.

In addition for Model Year 2002 CNG Crown Victorias, Ford is offering an additional $1,000 per vehicle for those vehicles participating in the "Clean Lane Partners" rebate program. The "Clean Lane Partners" rebate program would promote the use of alternative fueled vehicles and the state’s "Clean Air Vehicle" sticker program that allows for single occupants of alternative fueled vehicles to use the HOV lanes. Staff believes that such a program will assist in the promotion of cleaner alternative fueled vehicles and recommends that the AQMD participate in the program. If the AQMD participates in this program, the AQMD would receive a total rebate of $32,000 if all 32 vehicles are purchased.

Total cost for all 32 vehicles is estimated to be $815,461 with a rebate of $32,000. In addition, the total expenditure may be reduced by at least $48,000 from the CEC buydown. Staff will report back to the Administrative Committee relative to the specific number of vehicles purchased and the disposition of the remainder of the budgeted funds.

Resource Impacts

The recommended purchase of up to 32 vehicles for the AQMD fleet is included in the District General FY 2001-02 Budget for an amount not to exceed $815,461 for replacement of fleet vehicles.

Attachment (2,391 KB)

Model Year 2002 Ford CNG Crown Victoria Vehicle Cost Comparison
Sample of Ford Clean Lane Partners Program Promotion

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