TITLE
Recommendation adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with Beam Global, of San Diego, CA, for the purchase of two portable Beam solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) Autonomous Renewal Chargers (ARC), on the same terms and conditions afforded to the State of California, Department of General Services (DGS), in a total amount not to exceed $188,738, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Beam Global for the purchase of two Beam solar-powered EV ARC chargers. The proposed units will be used by various City of Long Beach (City) departments for fleet vehicle charging of all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric City vehicles. The chargers will supplement permanent battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging infrastructure and are capable of supplying power in the event of an emergency. Each charging station can generate and store 265 e-miles of clean, solar electricity a day.
The purchase of the chargers will be funded by Assembly Bill (AB) 32 funds. AB 32 requires California to return to 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions. AB 32 funding provides support for necessary EV charging infrastructure costs. The Fleet Services Bureau (Fleet) will use combined annual allocations of AB 32 funds appropriated by City Council in Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022 budgets. This purchase supports Fleet’s comprehensive plan for City fleet electrification, which includes extensive planning, procurement, and funding strategies. Grant funding, including the availability and use of AB 32 funds is needed to support compliance with the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulation adopted in April 2023.
Fleet researched procurement options for portable BEV chargers and discovered other agencies had completed an open, fair, transparent, and competitive procurement process. The City reviewed and determined that the contract between the State of California, Department of General Services, and Beam Global, provided the best value to the City.
City Charter Section 1802 provides an alternative procurement method by permitting the City to purchase or otherwise obtain services, supplies, materials, equipment, and labor with other governmental agencies. This alternative procurement method can save time and reduce costs through economies of scale by purchasing under existing contracts from other government agencies on a voluntary and selective basis, when authorized by a Resolution adopted by the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor Anderson on September 13, 2023, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on September 8, 2023, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on September 18, 2023.
SUSTAINABILITY
The solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations are fully compliant with the State of California and local district air quality regulations. The electricity produced by the chargers is clean and renewable, reducing 100 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from battery electric vehicles powered from the utility grid.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt a Resolution and award a contract concurrently is requested on October 3, 2023, to ensure that the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the contract will not exceed $188,738, inclusive of taxes and fees, and will be paid for using allocated AB 32 funding budgeted in the Fleet Services Fund Group in the Financial Management Department. The first year of annual maintenance is covered by the warranty. After this period, annual ongoing maintenance for the units are estimated at $1,800 each and will be recovered citywide through the Fleet Services Bureau Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with the City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KEVIN RIPER
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER