HCPS FL Logo Business
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, June 9, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Acting Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve School Bus Brand Options, and Purchase Utilizing the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) School Bus Bid #2015-01 for the Purchase of School Buses and Optional Equipment with Matthews Buses, Inc. (Business Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purchase of 100 replacement school buses is outlined in the 2013/2014 capital replacement plan. The 100 replacement school buses consists of 20 buses with a 65-passenger capacity, Type C conventional bus with lift and 80 buses with a 77-passenger capacity, Type C conventional bus without lift.

There are three state-approved manufacturers of school buses available under the FLDOE contract.  The manufacturers are Blue Bird Corporation, Integrated Coach Corp. (IC), and Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (Thomas).  After reviewing the school bus specifications and options, we constructed a spreadsheet to review what the manufacturer dealerships were offering in regards to the Type C, conventional school bus.  The pricing, warranties, and available options have been verified.

The data used for our decision was based on past and present staff experience, National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) recommended best practices, a survey of other Florida school districts, and the survey from our own Hillsborough County Public School bus drivers.

The NAFA best practices recommend five specific items:

  • Use lifecycle spreadsheet to define and observe vehicle lifecycles;
  • Develop a long-term capital procurement plan that is regularly reviewed, revised, and updated;
  • Centralize management of fleet assets for better efficiency, liability, and control;
  • Create a vehicle selector list that considers lifecycle costs, safety, and environmental impact;
  • Set goals for fuel and emissions reductions

After following the above best practices, it is recommended we purchase Thomas buses sold via Matthews Buses, Inc. The buses manufactured by Thomas are estimated to have the lowest life-cycle cost based on initial cost, as well as fuel consumption over a 14-year period.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funding for the current year school bus purchase and beyond will be comprised of Capital Millage (1.50 Mills) dollars; Community Investment Tax (CIT) dollars; Capital Improvement dollars (pari-mutuel revenue); dollars generated from the sale of buses, and if needed General Fund Non-Recurring dollars.
EVALUATION
SUBMITTED BY:  James Beekman, General Manager, Transportation Department
Christopher Farkas   Gretchen Saunders
Chief Facilities Officer
(813) 272-4004
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.14
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20150609_693 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.14