City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 11, 2026 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY WARDS: ALL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF ONE MOBILE OFF-GRID EV CHARGING TRAILER FOR THE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION DIVISION FROM A-Z BUS SALES, INC. OF COLTON, CALIFORNIA, UNDER ANTELOPE VALLEY SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION AGENCY REQUEST FOR BID NO. 26-002 EV CHARGING EQUIPMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $345,918.50 ISSUE:
Consider approving the purchase of one Mobile Off-Grid EV Charging Trailer for the Special Transportation Division from A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. of Colton, California, under Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency RFB No. 26-002 EV Charging Equipment, in the amount of $345,918.50.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the purchase of one Mobile Off-Grid EV Charging Trailer with A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. of Colton, California, in the amount of $345,918.50; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any purchase orders and documents to complete this purchase, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On December 14, 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) enacted the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation, setting a goal for California public transit agencies to have zero-emission bus fleets by 2040. The regulation specifies the percentage of new bus procurements that must be zero-emission buses for each year of the transition period (2023–2040). The annual percentages for Small Transit agencies are as follows:
January 1, 2026 - 25% of all new bus purchases must be zero-emission January 1, 2027 - 25% of all new bus purchases must be zero-emission January 1, 2028 - 25% of all new bus purchases must be zero-emission January 1, 2029+ - 100% of all new bus purchases must be zero-emission This purchasing schedule guides agency procurements to reach the goal of zero-emission fleets in 2040 while avoiding any early retirement of vehicles that have not reached the end of their useful life. Agencies have the opportunity to request waivers that allow purchase deferrals in the event of economic hardship or if zero-emission technology cannot meet the service requirements of a given route. These concessions recognize that zero-emission technologies may cost more than current internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies on a vehicle lifecycle basis and that zero-emission technology may not currently be able to meet all service requirements.
BACKGROUND:
The Special Transportation Division of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCSD) operates the Riverside Connect service within the city limits of Riverside. It was established in 1975, through a mutual agreement between the City of Riverside and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) to provide complementary paratransit services to seniors over the age of 60 and individuals with disabilities.
Riverside Connect provides service seven days a week, 362 days a year, and has a fleet of 34 vehicles which includes 32 buses and two vans. Riverside Connect allows seniors and individuals living with a disability to live an independent life by providing equitable access to transportation. In FY24/25 Riverside Connect provided on average 350 rides per day and traveled over 437,000 miles transporting senior and disabled residents throughout the City of Riverside.
Riverside Connect is a cornerstone of an inclusive and compassionate community. By addressing transportation services, Riverside Connect contributes to the overall well-being, independence, and active participation of diverse community members. The continued support and enhancement of Riverside Connect aligns with the City’s commitment to creating a community that is accessible and supportive to all. Riverside Connect’s operational costs are entirely funded by federal, state, and local transportation funds and have no impact to the general fund.
DISCUSSION:
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is in the process of acquiring two Micro Bird G5 electric buses for use by Riverside Connect. These will replace existing vehicles that have reached or exceeded 5 years or 150,000 miles in adherence with the Federal Transit Administration's useful life replacement schedule. The two Micro Birds will be the first zero-emission vehicles deployed within Riverside Connect's fleet.
To support the successful deployment and operation of these vehicles, Riverside Connect requires charging infrastructure capable of meeting daily operational needs upon vehicle delivery. While the City continues to evaluate and develop permanent charging infrastructure and associated facility improvements, a temporary charging solution is necessary to ensure the electric buses can be placed into service without delay.
The proposed mobile EV charging trailer will provide immediate charging capability and operational flexibility during this transition period. The trailer is equipped with an onboard propane fuel generator, allowing charging services to be deployed where needed without reliance on permanent electrical infrastructure. While propane is not a zero-emission fuel source, mobile charging trailers of this type enable agencies to place electric vehicles into service before permanent charging infrastructure is in place. This approach allows Riverside Connect to begin realizing the benefits of zero-emission vehicle technology while maintaining reliable service for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Funding for the mobile EV charging trailer is available through Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant funds previously awarded to the City. The trailer will serve as an interim charging solution until permanent zero-emission vehicle infrastructure is implemented and operational.
Purchasing Overview
On January 16, 2023, the Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency (AVSTA) of Los Angeles County, California published Request for Bids No. 26-002 seeking prospective bidders to provide quotes for EV charging equipment and charging infrastructure. The total bid price as shown in Table 1 contains pricing for one Dual Port DCFC, one AC Level 2 Single Port and one Mobile Electric Charging Trailer and other available options.
No pre-bid meeting was held, and no questions or addendums were issued during the solicitation period. Bid No. 26-002 closed on February 5, 2026, with one response that was awarded due to being the lowest responsive and advantageous bid for the organization.
The bid results are listed in the table below:
Vendor
Location
Bid Total
Rank
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
Colton, CA
$850,300.00
1 A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. has extended the cooperative pricing to the City for the purchase one mobile EV charging trailer in the amount of $345,918.50.
This action is pursuant to Purchasing Resolution 24101, Section 602 which states, “Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances …(f) When Cooperative Purchasing is available and undertaken or when Goods can be obtained through Federal, State and/or other public entity pricing contracts or price agreements.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended action is compliant with Purchasing Resolution 24101.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $345,918.50. The proposal attached to this report is the cooperative pricing extended to the City for the purchase of one Mobile Off-Grid EV Charging Trailer in the amount of $349,918.50. Sufficient funds are available in the Special Transit Fund, Zero Emission Infr. TIRCP 24/25 Account No. 9411220-462100.
Prepared by: Ron Profeta, Transit Manager
Approved by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachments:
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. Proposal
AVSTA RFP Bid #26-002 EV Charging Equipment
Special Transportation Mobile Off-Grid EV Charging Trailer Purchase ● Page 2