HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Waiving Purchasing Policy and Approve Contract for B100 Pilot Program RESOLUTION NO. 19-466
RESOLUTION APPROVING WAIVING PURCHASING AND POLICIES PERTAINING
TO BIDDING AND APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGIES,
INC., FOR THE B100 PILOT PROGRAM
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, in February 2019, Ames-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) and
Optimus Technologies of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, presented their proposal for a 100%
Biodiesel (B 100) Pilot Program to representatives from the City of Ames, Iowa DOT, and other
municipalities; and,
WHEREAS, the B 100 Pilot Program would require participant cities/agencies to provide
five diesel-powered trucks as pilot vehicles to operate year-round on B 100 fuel,thereby taking
full advantage of the B 100 low-carbon emissions; and,
WHEREAS, REG would be the exclusive supplier of B100 at a discounted rate to the
City and pay to fully equip the pilot trucks, making it possible to use B 100 year-round; and,
WHEREAS, in support of the Ames City Council's initiative to promote city-wide
environmentally sustainable projects, Fleet Services and the Public Works Street Division staff
have researched the proposal and found it feasible and beneficial to the City, and,
WHEREAS, currently the City's diesel trucks burn 20%biodisel blended with 80%ultra-
low sulfur diesel (#2)(1320) during the warm months and 3%bio-blend(133) in the winter; and,
WHEREAS, the City agrees to have REG as the exclusive B 100 supplier for the pilot
program, REG agrees to pay for the five Optimus systems at $12,000 each including installation,
and REG agrees to lease to the City of Ames a 12,000-gallon, above-ground fuel dispensary for
$1 per year; and,
WHEREAS, City staff proposes the fuel dispensary location to be on the City's
Maintenance Facility grounds located at 2207 Edison Street; and,
WHEREAS, Optimus Technologies, Inc., has developed a unique system to effectively
use B 100 year-round, even in cold temperature; and,
WHEREAS, Optimus sends#2 diesel fuel to the engine at startup, then directs the heat
from the engine to warm the B100 tank to a specified operating temperature, then switches to
B200 for the majority of the running time, even in cold temperatures; and,
WHEREAS, when the operator shuts off the engine Optimus will run the engine for about
30 seconds to purge the B 100 from the engine's fuel lines and replacing it with petroleum diesel
in preparation for the next cold engine start; and,
WHEREAS, the Optimus system is backed with more than ten years of research and
development and it has been successfully implemented in fleets in Chicago and Washington DC;
and,
WHEREAS, REG and Optimus have presented Contract Agreements to the City of
Ames, which have been reviewed by the City's Legal Department; and,
WHEREAS, the pilot program will continue for three years beginning at the completion
of the installation of the Optimus Systems onto the pilot trucks, or December 1, 2019, which is
first.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the waiver of the Purchasing Policies is hereby approved and the contract with Optimus
Technologies, Inc., to supply and install the Optimus System on selected City vehicles, train City
Fleet technicians to install and work on the system, and collect real-time data about the fuel use,
system performance, and location of the pilot program vehicles, is hereby further approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27"'day of August, 2019.
Diane . Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27t1i day of August, 2019.