CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

MAY 15, 2002

 

 

PROJECT:      VEHICLE ACQUISITION PROJECT

 

 

CONTRACT: P2000, LOS ANGELES STANDARD LIGHT RAIL

VEHICLE, SIEMENS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

ACTION:       AUTHORIZE THE CEO TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT MODIFICATION INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,165,893

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

A.     Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute Work Authorization Change Notice (WACN) No. 45.04 to Contract No. P2000, Los Angeles Standard Light Rail Vehicle, with Siemens Transportation Systems Inc., to design, build, and install between car barriers on the 52 light rail vehicles currently on order under the contract, increasing the amount of the WACN from $200,000 to $500,000, and increasing the Total Contract Value from $214,890,246 to $215,190,246; and

 

B.      Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and execute the subsequent contract change order, providing that the negotiated value is less or equal to the current proposed value of  $1,165,893, (includes above $500,000 increased WACN value).

 

Within Construction Committee authority:  Yes        No        N/A

 

RATIONALE

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandates that new vehicles, which operate in a high-platform, level-boarding configuration, have protective devices to prevent visually disabled patrons from falling between the cars.  This mandate applies to new vehicles delivered after October 6, 1991, and exempts existing vehicles unless the vehicles undergo a major upgrade.  The United States Department of Transportation, requires the Metro to install barriers on the P2000 vehicles not later than September 30, 2002.  The Metro cannot operate the P2000 vehicles in pairs without the barriers, but would have to operate with single car trains.  This will reduce ridership capability as well as increase operating cost.

 

Discussion

 

The Metro issued WACN 45 to Siemens for the design, test, fabrication and installation of the barriers on the 52 vehicles.  Siemens has worked closely with the Metro ADA Compliance Task Force to develop a final design.  Several designs were explored until the current design was submitted for prototype development and testing.  Siemens has performed life cycle testing, finite element analysis on the mounting, and installations of prototypes on two P2000 vehicles.  Presentations of the prototypes for the current design were given to visually disabled patrons by the Task Force and were considered acceptable.  Currently, all that remains prior to ordering the production parts, is the prototype on-car test on the Metro Green Line (D Line).

 

Even though prototypes have been successfully demonstrated several times, the final materials and clearances, as well as the barriers’ reaction to 65 mph service, have yet to be identified and resolved through testing.  This testing effort will probably continue through May, before the final design can be approved by the Metro and fabrication of production units authorized for delivery in July.  Based on this production authorization, Siemens estimates they would be able to complete installation on 26 cars currently in revenue service by the September 30, 2002 deadline.

 

Siemens’ proposal is under review by staff and is expected to be negotiated by July 1.  Meanwhile, Siemens will require additional authorization and funding to finalize the design, complete testing, and procure materials and components to allow them to proceed with manufacturing and installation of the barriers on the cars.  Staff requests that additional funding be authorized.

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

 

Funding of $1,165,893 for these actions is included in the FY02 Budget, in Cost Center 8510, Construction Contracts, Line Item 50316, under Project No. 800150, Los Angeles Rail Car Project.  Based on the estimate to complete forecast completed on January 30, 2002, the funds for this action are available within the approved Los Angeles Rail Car Project Budget of $201,400,000.  The current status of contract costs, including the impact of the recommended WACN increase, is shown in Attachment B.

 

Potential for Cost Recovery:  Yes        No        N/A

 

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

 

The Metro Board may reject this change or start a new procurement search.  However, any new procurement could not be accomplished in time to have barrier systems installed by the September 30, 2002 deadline.  Staff does not recommend this alternative.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

Attachment A:         Procurement Summary

Attachment A-1:      Procurement History

Attachment A-2:      List of Subcontractors

Attachment B:         Contract Value Status Summary

 

Prepared By:          Nick Brown, Director Systems Engineering

                                    Tom Butler, Contract Administrator