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24-87101
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Single Source Procurement of an Electric Vehicle (EV) Patrol Unit for the Glendale Police Department (GPD)
1) Resolution Dispensing with Competitive Bidding and authorizing the Deputy Director of Finance/Purchasing to issue a Purchase Order for an upfitted Tesla Model Y Patrol vehicle from Unplugged Performance Inc.
2) Resolution of appropriation to appropriate $27,758
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for January 14, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the citywide fleet electrification plan, the approved FY 2024-25 budget included funds for the purchase or one EV patrol vehicle for use by GPD. The purpose of this procurement is for GPD to test the performance and efficacy of EV patrol vehicles prior to the eventual transition from hybrid engine patrol vehicles to EVs. Staff received a quote for a fully upfitted Tesla Model Y Patrol vehicle for $116,144 from the vendor Unplugged Performance Inc. in Hawthorne California. This vendor is uniquely qualified to furnish this equipment because they have extensive experience performing this type of work, and are solely authorized by Tesla Motors to upfit their vehicles and; therefore, a single source procurement is justified. Additionally, staff proposes a 10% contingency for this procurement or $11,614 be added to this procurement for any unforeseen additional costs encountered during the build.
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve a resolution dispensing with competitive bidding and authorizing the Deputy Director of Finance/Purchasing to issue a Purchase Order for an upfitted Tesla Model Y Patrol vehicle for a total not-to-exceed amount of $127,758 inclusive of sales tax and contingencies from Unplugged Performance Inc. In addition, that the City Council approve a resolution of appropriation of $27,758 to provide adequate funding for this procurement.
ANALYSIS
On September 20, 2022, the Glendale City Council approved a motion to note and file a staff report regarding the Fleet Electrification Study and directed staff to implement the plan to transition the city’s fleet to EVs by 2040. Additionally, on April 28, 2023, the Advanced Clean Fleets rule was approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandating state and local government fleets transition specific classes of vehicles to zero emission. Even though public safety vehicles were specifically exempted from this CARB rule which also doesn’t apply to light-duty SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, it represents a statewide push for cleaner vehicles. The city of South Pasadena recently converted their entire police department patrol fleet to EVs.
As part of the FY 2024-25 Annual Budget, GPD was authorized to purchase one new EV patrol vehicle. This will allow GPD to test out this EV model before a larger fleet transition to EVs is implemented. Our consultant, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) identified three OEM manufacturers of EV patrol vehicles: Chevrolet EV PPV, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Tesla models 3, S, X & Y. Of these options, only the Chevrolet EV PPV is a manufactured pursuit rated vehicle. Since the other options are not manufactured for use by public safety applications, they typically require extensive custom upfitting.
Transitioning to EVs for public safety presents unique challenges. For example, since GPD is a 24/7 operation, finding time to recharge vehicles can be difficult. Significant charging infrastructure to support this fleet of vehicles is essential. The EV patrol options are limited and considerably more expensive. The Ford Motor Company does not appear to be developing an EV version of the popular hybrid engine Police Interceptor Utility patrol vehicle favored by many public safety agencies including GPD. Patrol car use is rigorous and demanding. They are driven dynamically and are generally one of the more high-use and high-mileage classes of vehicle in the city’s fleet. Patrol vehicles are loaded with public safety equipment which adds significantly to the weight of the vehicles.
GPD checked the various EV options available and preferred the Tesla Model Y for this procurement. While real world testing for all option is limited, this model appears to be the most tested option. The City of South Pasadena transitioned their entire patrol fleet to this model providing an example of it working for a smaller city with manageable issues. The City of Menlo Park successfully integrated three Tesla Model Y vehicles to their patrol fleet. Additionally, tests of EV patrol vehicles performed by the Michigan State Police and to a lesser extent by the Los Angeles Police Department informed GPD to determine that the Tesla Model Y is the preferred model compared to the alternatives. {{section.number}}{{item.number}}3
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The Tesla Model Y has optimal equipment storage compared to the alternatives. There were no concerns reported regarding the drivability of this model in pursuits from the agencies that have implemented them. Staff believes the reported issues for this model such a constrained driver space, roof glass, and autopilot interference are manageable.
GPD reached out to the upfit vendor Unplugged Performance Inc. regarding the purchase of a fully upfitted Tesla Model Y patrol vehicle. Typically, patrol vehicles are purchased from a local dealership following a competitive bidding process and then upfitted by a different vendor. Unplugged Performance Inc. is uniquely qualified to upfit Tesla models because of their extensive experience and working relationship with Tesla. They are a Tesla approved body shop and their upfit work will not lessen Tesla’s manufacturer’s warranties. Unplugged Performance Inc. upfit South Pasadena Police Department’s EV fleet of vehicles.
Staff received a quote of $116,144 from Unplugged Performance Inc. which includes the base vehicle and tax. To ensure any incidental and unforeseen costs are covered such as cost increases of upfit equipment, a 10% contingency of $11,614 for this procurement is also advised. Therefore, the maximum total cost of this procurement is $127,758.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The purchase of an EV patrol vehicle from Unplugged Performance Inc. will cost $127,758, a portion of which was not included as a part of the FY 2024-25 budget.
Therefore, staff is requesting for an appropriation of $27,758 from the Fleet Management Fund balance. The appropriation request is outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$100,000 51000-6010-PWD-7509-P0000 Fleet Management Fund Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account
String)
To (Account String) Funding Source
$27,758 27900-6010-PWD-
0000
51000-6010-PWD-
7509-P0000
Fleet Management
Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonable foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
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CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company are attached in Exhibit 1, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Do not approve the resolution authorizing the single source procurement of an EV patrol vehicle for GPD and resolution of appropriation and direct staff to competitively bid for an EV patrol vehicle. Staff believes this will result in an inferior vehicle not supported by Tesla.
Alternative 2: Do not approve the resolution authorizing the single source procurement of an EV patrol vehicle for GPD and resolution of appropriation and direct staff to abandon this procurement. GPD will be unable to perform their own testing of an EV patrol vehicle.
Alternative 3: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Manuel Cid, Police Chief
Prepared by:
Sevada Hambarsumian, Fleet Superintendent
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1 – Campaign Disclosure