[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 171 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, Last week I offered an amendment on 
behalf of Senator Domenici and myself. It authorizes State and local 
transit authorities that receive Federal transit assistance to purchase 
transit buses through the General Services Administration. Because of 
GSA's limited experience with transit buses, the amendment provides for 
the pilot program to be managed by the Federal Transit Administration.
  Currently only the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has 
the option to purchase buses through the General Services 
Administration. The pilot program would open up that option to other 
public transit agencies around the country that also receive Federal 
transit assistance. However, the pilot program is limited only to 
heavy-duty transit buses and intercity coaches. The initial pilot 
program would end on December 31, 2003.
  The General Services Administration currently offers three heavy-duty 
transit buses and two intercity coaches. GSA selected these suppliers 
as a result of competitive solicitations, and the companies had to bid 
attractive terms and prices in order to win those 5-year contracts.
  GSA intends to expand its existing sources of simply to a full 
multiple-award schedule with a larger variety of vehicles and choices 
of optional equipment. GSA indicates this process will take 12 to 18 
months. Therefore, our amendment directs GSA to complete the multiple-
award schedule by December 31, 2003, and authorizes state and local 
transit authorities that receive Federal transit assistance to purchase 
heavy-duty transit buses and intercity coaches off these GSA schedules. 
This authority would expire on December 31, 2006.
  Allowing additional public transit agencies the option to purchase 
these buses from GSA could result in substantial options and prices 
would help streamline the procurement process, which could be 
especially valuable to some of the smaller communities. Purchasing 
buses through GSA will help stretch each dollar of Federal transit 
funding a little bit farther.
  I believe it is very important to point out that this pilot program 
is limited only to transit buses and intercity coaches. It has no 
effect on companies that supply other types of buses or vehicles, 
pharmaceuticals, or any other product that currently can be purchased 
through the General Services Administration. I believe transit buses 
are a unique situation. Purchases through the GSA should be allowed. 
There are only a few bus manufacturers in America today and most buses 
for public transit are purchased using Federal funds provided by the 
Federal Transit Administration.
  Our bus manufacturers are not having an easy time. Our amendment will 
help expedite bus purchases by eliminating the cost of responding to 
myriad requests for proposals from public transit agencies. Our 
amendment will also help the public transit agencies by reducing the 
cost of preparing the requests for proposals and assessing the 
responses. I do believe this is a meritorious amendment. It is one I 
would very much like to see adopted as part of this legislation. I urge 
my colleagues to support it. The amendment has the support of the 
Federal Transit Administration, bus manufacturers, and public transit 
agencies across the Nation.
  I ask unanimous consent that a letter from the American Public 
Transportation Association be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                    American Public Transportation


                                                  Association,

                                 Washington, DC, December 7, 2001.
     Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Dirksen 
         Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding a provision the Senate 
     is expected to take up as part of the defense appropriations 
     bill that would allow recipients of funds under the federal 
     transit program to purchase heavy-duty and intercity buses 
     from the General Services Administration schedule of 
     contracts.
       The Business Member Board of Governors of the American 
     Public Transportation Association (APTA) considered a similar 
     provision in a meeting on Sunday, September 30, 2001. They 
     voted in support of the measure.
       Further, on December 7, 2001, APTA's Legislative Committee 
     considered this new provision and unanimously agreed to 
     support it. While APTA's governing body has not had an 
     opportunity formally to consider the provision, our public 
     transit members are supportive of measures that would 
     simplify and standardize the federal procurement process, as 
     this provision would do. We are particularly pleased to note 
     that under the provision GSA, with assistance from the 
     Federal Transit Administration, would be required to 
     establish and publish a multiple award schedule for heavy-
     duty buses, which means that any heavy-duty or intercity bus 
     manufacturer would be provided an opportunity to participate 
     in the program.
       Please have your staff contact Daniel Duff, APTA's Chief 
     Counsel & Vice President, Government Affairs, should you have 
     any questions about this matter. He may be reached at (202) 
     496-4860 or internet e-mail [email protected].
           Sincerely yours,
                                                William W. Millar,
     President.

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