Are remanufactured vehicles eligible for purchase under the Low-No Program?
Yes. Remanufactured vehicles are vehicles that have undergone substantial structural, mechanical or electrical rebuilding, restoration or updating by a third party and then are sold or leased to a transit agency. For the purposes of the Low-No Program, remanufactured vehicles include vehicles that have been converted from a traditional power source to a low or no emission power source.
If an applicant includes remanufactured vehicles in the application, whether as a partnership with a remanufacturer or through a proposed competitive procurement, the application must address how the project will meet the remanufactured vehicle requirements identified in FTA Circular C.5010.1E --Award Management Requirements. This information should be addressed as a part of the project implementation plan and includes the following:
- Procurement. The recipient must identify in their application and procurement their intent to purchase previously-owned and/or remanufactured vehicles. As part of the bid or proposal the recipient must obtain certification and documentation ascertaining that applicable Bus Testing and Buy America requirements have been met by the original owner or remanufacturer.
- Useful Life. The grant application and procurement of a previously-owned vehicle must identify the applicable useful life for the vehicle.
- Bus Testing. The original vehicles must have met the Bus Testing Requirements in place at the time of acquisition by the original owner.
- Buy America. The original vehicles must have met the Buy America requirements in place at the time of acquisition by the original owner. Remanufactured vehicles must meet the applicable Buy America requirements for rolling stock for all new components and subcomponents added or replaced on the vehicle.
- DBE Requirements. When a remanufacturer responds to a solicitation for new, or remanufactured vehicles, with a vehicle that has post-production alterations or retro-fitting to provide a “like new” vehicle, the remanufacturer is considered a transit vehicle manufacturer and must comply with the DOT DBE regulations.