Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Gillig Reimbursement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Transit board authorizes appeal and supplemental record after state denies reimbursement for Gillig bus
Summary
South Central Regional Transit District voted to seek reconsideration from New Mexico DOT and, if needed, Federal Transit Administration review after a reimbursement denial for a recently procured Gillig battery-electric bus; staff will submit a supplemental record arguing fleet-standardization and sole-source justification.
The South Central Regional Transit District board on June 24 authorized staff to submit a supplemental record and appeal to the New Mexico Department of Transportation seeking reimbursement for a Gillig battery-electric bus that the state initially denied.
David (executive director) told the board the vehicle in question was part of a series of grant procurements and deployments beginning with low‑no and CMAC programming initiated in October 2022 and procured in late 2024–2025. He said the district received a multi‑year mix of awards and deliveries that left the agency operating an expanding fleet of electric vehicles and that the denied reimbursement concerns a bus delivered this spring.
“The chronology matters here,” David said, explaining staff will request New Mexico DOT to reconsider its determination, offer additional technical documentation, and — if necessary — ask the Federal Transit Administration to review the matter jointly with the state. He framed the argument around fleet continuity and operational compatibility, listing charging systems, warranty and parts support, training, delivery schedules and technical risk as reasons a Gillig purchase can be justified as practically necessary for the district.
Staff presented three possible paths: (1) seek full reimbursement from New Mexico DOT after submitting the supplemental record; (2) ask the state for conditional approval subject to additional conditions or documentation; or (3) defer to the FTA for concurrence and a third‑party review. Counsel and outside attorneys with FTA experience would be engaged if the board directs escalation.
Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and process. No public speakers addressed the item. On a roll call vote staff recorded four yes votes and the resolution authorizing the appeal and submittal of supporting materials carried.
What happens next: staff will finalize the supplemental record this week for submission to New Mexico DOT and coordinate with the district attorney of record and state contacts about potential FTA concurrence. The board directed staff to pursue cooperative resolution with the state before initiating a separate FTA review.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the resolution authorizing appeal and supplemental record by roll call (tally: 4 yes; recorded in the meeting minutes).
