HCPS FL Logo Business
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, September 29, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, 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 Various State-Approved Vendors (Business Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approve the purchase of 200 replacement school buses as outlined in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 capital replacement plan. The 200 replacement school buses consist of 40 diesel buses with a 65-passenger capacity, Type C bus with lift; 110 diesel buses with a 77-passenger capacity Type C bus without lift; and 50 propane buses with a 77-passenger capacity, Type C bus without lift.

The FLDOE conducted the bid process and chose three school bus manufacturers.  Florida school districts may only purchase school buses from the state-approved contracts.  The manufacturers are Blue Bird Corporation, Integrated Coach Corporation, and Thomas Built Buses, Inc. After reviewing the school bus specifications and options, the attached document shows our purchase plan. Once purchased and in use we will evaluate performance of each school bus. The evaluation will be a comparison of similar routes, similar roads, and similar student capacity and driver opinion. The pricing, warranties, and available options have been verified.

Continued on Attachment 1.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Align financial resources to support the district's strategic goals
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $21,108,640 will be available in the Capital Projects Fund. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to the new school bus purchase is 8027.  The expenditure breakdown will be:

  • $7,000,000 Fund 326 Community Investment Tax Capital dollars
  • $1,818,120 Fund 373 Local Capital Millage FY 12-13
  • $3,000,000 Fund 374 Local Capital Millage FY 13-14
  • $5,790,520 Fund 375 Local Capital Millage FY 14-15
  • $3,500,000 Fund 376 Local Capital Millage FY 15-16

The expenditure amount of $21,108,640 reflects 8 percent of the total budget for the Capital Projects Fund.  As of September 8, 2015, the budgeted amount for the Capital Projects Fund totals is $262,985,150.69.

EVALUATION
Will be based on price, fuel economy, maintenance (days out of service), A/C issues, driver and student satisfaction, and all warranty issues.
SUBMITTED BY:  James Beekman, General Manager, Transportation Department
Chris Farkas   Gretchen Saunders
Chief Operating Officer
813-272-4004		   Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20150929_701 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.02