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Home My WebLink AboutTR-39-85 r' Q CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE TREASURY DEPARTMENT K. CAMPBELL, C.A.,TREASURER 40 TEMPERANCE STREET TEL.(416) 623°3379 BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JUNE 3, 1985. REPORT NO.: TR-39-85 SUBJECT: HANDI TRANSIT VEHICLE RECOMMENDATION: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1 . that this report be received; and 2. that the procedures set out in the Purchasing Bylaw #82-92, Section 5, paragraph 06 be waived for this particular transaction owing to the uniqueness of the vehicle required. 3. that a purchase order in the amount of $14,931 (plus P.S.T. ) for the supply and delivery of one (1) only 1985 Ford Econo Line Van 351 8 cy. be awarded to Victoria Wheel Chair Inc. 4. that a second purchase order in the amount of $10,020.00 (plus P.S.T. ) for the conversion costs of the vehicle be awarded to Braun. 5. that a third purchase order in the amount of $5,875.00 (plus P.S.T. ) for the supply and installation of 5Q Straint (wheelchair tie downs) and one Ricon R30A lift be awarded to Girardin Inc. , Cambridge, Ontario. 1 6. that the funds expended be provided from the approved 1985 budget of $32,000.00 (50% funded by M.T.C. ) and ') � that $3,338 (50% funded by M.T.C. ) be provided from r)� � ) the Contingency Account 7007-X-298-9. - 2 - T R-39-85 HANDI TRANSIT VEHICLE BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: The alternative to the recommendations indicated would be to call for sealed bids from various manufacturers , but this would mean we would miss the deadline of the end of June for ordering 1985 vehicles. Although the availability is important, it is not the sole reason for considering the Braun unit. Information on the other makes was reviewed, however the Braun unit offers the most suitable features for rural services such as the one Handi Transit Incorporated runs for us in Newcastle. It also incorporates some safety and reliability features not available in all competitive makes such as: 1 . Full Federally approved roll-bar capacity. 2. Bus door entrance. 3. Walk-in door on lift entrance. 4. Extended vehicle length. 5. Five to six wheelchair tie-down positions. The van now in use in Newcastle has four positions. 6. Full C.S.A. approved safety equipment. 7. Longer vehicle life. 8. Capable of accommodating all types of physically disabled passengers and provides a more comfortable ride. 9. The wheelchair tie down Q-system commissioned by the M.T.C. , provides the most secure and easiest type of wheelchair tie down to operate. 10. Handi Transit have used five different types of hydraulic lifts over the past eleven years but have found that the Rican R30A electric , electronic lift offers the lowest repair cost and the greatest reliability, especially in winter months. Since 1979 when the Ministry of Transportation and Communications became involved with the para transit services on a funding basis , - 3 - T R-39-85 HANDI TRANSIT VEHICLE all vehicles must meet even more stringent safety and comfort standards as set out by the C.S.A. As a result many of the companies that supplied these vehicles previous to 1979 have dropped out of the market leaving a smaller number to compete in this specialized and more costly vehicle market. In September 1984 a similar vehicle was purchased by the City of Oshawa from Garardin Inc. This purchase was based on the recommendations from Handi Transit and was not tendered. While Doug Manuel is willing to meet with Council to discuss this matter, due to the access problems to the Court Room #2 meeting, he is unable to attend. He has therefore submitted a letter (copy of which is attached) confirming why this particular vehicle was chosen. Additional costs which would not be incurred until after receipt of the vehicle are as follows: Heater (Installed) $ 450.00 + P.S.T. G.E. Radio $ 1 ,300.00 + P.S.T. Lettering & Striping $ 450.00 + P.S.T. Total expenditure comes to $35,337.82 including P.S.T. In accordance with Town Policy, estimates were received from the following manufacturers. Victoria Wheel Chair (Braun Vehicle) $35,337.82 Kitchener, Ontario. Gierden, $36,005.50 Cambridge, Ontario. (Does not include radio) Bus Industries of America Inc. $85,000-$90,000 Toronto, Ontario. (Orion) (Does not include radio) It is for the above reasons that the vehicle as mentioned in the recommendations was chosen by Doug Manuel , General Manager of Handi Transit as the best value for Newcastle. With very little selection on the market for this highly specialized equipment, we are recommending that the vehicle be purchased - 4 - T R-39-85 HANDI TRANSIT VEHICLE as suggested rather than going out for tender, based on safety, reliability, comfort and cost. Respectfully submitted, wlaj� Cv-u.Lv to� Kathryn A. Campbell , C.A. , B.Comm. , Treasurer. Lou Ann Birkett, Purchasing & Supply Agent. KAC/LAB/os. TEL. (416) 571-1222 HANDI TRANSIT INCORPORATED F.O. BOX 1278 STN. .B OSHAWA, ONT. L1J 5Z1 May 27, 1985 Ms . Lou Ann Birkett Town of Newcastle Purchasing and Supply Agent 40 Temperance Street BOWMANVILLE , Ontario L1C 3A6 Dear Ms . Birkett : In response to your request , I trust that the following information will explain why I am suggesting that you purchase the vehicle and specific equipment , as stated, to be operated in the Township of Newcastle . In the early sixties , when the para transit services first started to operate in Ontario , the vehicles used for this purpose were , for the most part , converted campers . This practice continued into the late seventies , until 1979 when the Ministry of Transportation and Communications became involved with the para transit services , on a funding basis . In that same year safety requirements for these vehicles were enforced and , in turn, it became more costly to convert vehicles to meet the new standards . As a result , many of the companies that had supplied converted camper vans dropped out of this market leaving a smaller number to compete in this specialized and more costly vehicle market . Now, in 1985 , all new vehicles must meet even more stringent safety and comfort standards as set out by the C. S.A. and adopted by the Federal and Provincial governments in Canada . The vehicles now available vary in price from $30 , 000 (Braun ) to $90 , 000 (Orion II ) . Both the Braun and the Girardin vehicles have proven to meet our Para Transit needs and yet stay at the lower end of the cost scale . Braun offers the most suitable features for rural services , such as the one we run for you in Newcastle . Type of equipment required: Vehicle The Braun offers the following : 1 . Full Federally approved roll-bar capacity . 2 . Bus door entrance . 2 . . . TRANSPORTATION FOR THE DISABLED Ms . Lou Ann Birkett -2- May 27, 1985 3 . Walk-in door on lift entrance . 4 . Extended vehicle length . 5 . Five to six wheelchair tie-down positions . The van now in use in Newcastle has four positions . 6 . Full C. S. A. approved safety equipment . 7 . Longer vehicle life . 8 . Capable of accommodating all types of physically disabled passengers and provides a more comfortable ride . Wheelchair Tie-down The Queens University Q-system , commissioned by the M.T.C. , provides the most secure and easiest type of wheelchair tie- down to operate . Wheelchair Lift We have used five different types of hydraulic lifts over the past eleven years but found that the Ricon R30-A electric , electronic lift offers the lowest repair cost and the greatest reliability , especially in winter months . With very little selection on the market , as of yet , for this highly specialized equipment , I trust that you will accept my choices as stated within , based on safety, reliability , comfort , and cost for your new vehicle . If you require any further information or have any questions , please contact me . Sincerely , tT X-1 I� Douglas Manuel General Manager lc