Staff recommends the City Council approve and award the MET Transit Electric Bus Charger Installation Project to Millennium Electric for $206,000.00.

The City of Billings MET Transit system was notified by the Federal Transit Administration on August 16, 2022, of its successful application and award of competitive Low-No Bus and Bus Facility funds to purchase four electric buses, related charging infrastructure, and staff development items. The purchase of four electric buses and electric bus chargers was approved by City Council on December 19, 2022; vehicles are slated for delivery in October 2024 and MET has already received the referenced charging equipment. On July 10, 2023, the City Council approved Ammendment 10 with the Aviation and Transit Department's contracted A&E firm for the design, engineering, and construction project management of an office expansion and remodel project for MET's primary facility, which also included engineering and design for electric vehicle charger install, to prepare for electric vehicle implementation. This project consists of coordinating charger installation with the local electrical provider, Northwestern Energy, with the placement of an additional transformer at the METroplex located at 1705 Monad Rd, as well as installation of electrical infrastructure between the electrical supply and the already purchased charging units. The project will further include placement and installation of the Chargepoint chargers, including working with Chargepoint staff regarding commissioning the units and bringing them online.

This project was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on  March 29, 2024, April 05, 2024, and April 12, 2024. On April 16, 2024, the following bids were recieved:

CONTRACTOR                                                                           BID

Millennium Electric	$206,000.00
Colstrip Electric	$216,000.00
Swank Enterprises	$301,857.00
Ace Electric	$213,260.00

              
       
           
         
                   

City Council may:

• Approve the award of MET Transit Electric Bus Charger Installation Project to Millennium Electric for $206,000.00; or,
• Not Approve the award, reject all bids, and delay the project.

The MET Transit Electric Bus Charger Installation Project will be executed using a combination of Federal funding and local funding. MET has adequate capital reserves to execute this project and will be utilizing funds awarded Section 5339(C) competitive federal funds in conjunction with local matching funds; this project was budgeted and approved in the FY24 Capital Improvement Plan. Funding details are as follows:
 

Total	Federal (80%)	Local (44%)
$206,000.00	$164,800.00	$41,200.00