Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to contract for the option to purchase Diesel Retrofit / Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Hydraulic and Coolant Heaters and Installation for Fleet Management. A DOC is a device with a honeycomb-like structure that oxidizes pollutants in the exhaust stream, thereby reducing harmful emissions. A DPF is a ceramic device that collects the particulate matter in the exhaust stream and breaks it down into less harmful components.
The term of the proposed option contracts would be from the date of execution by the City up to and including January 31, 2011 with the right to extend for two additional one year periods subject to mutual agreement by both parties. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on February 5, 2009.
These contracts are a result of two projects (Diesel Retrofit and Anti-Idling) that are part of the "Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program," sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). A grant application was submitted to MORPC titled "Columbus Cean Air Fleet Project" and these are two of four interrelated projects proposed in that grant application. The goal of the project is to significantly reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
Official authorization of the grant award from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) was received on December 12, 2008 which allowed the City to proceed with bid advertising. Previous legislation (Ordinance No. 1178-2008) authorized the acceptance and appropriation of the CMAQ grant. This grant has a twenty percent (20%) City match required. The City plans to install hydraulic and coolant heaters on approximately forty (40) vehicles, DOCs on approximately seventy (70) vehicles and DPF's on approximately forty (40) vehicles.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 3...
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