Transit Connect Electric receives GSA contract award; estimated value more than $112M
08 June 2011
Azure Dynamics Corporation announced that the Transit Connect Electric (earlier post), the result of a collaborative effort between Azure and Ford Motor Company, has received a GSA Contract Award allowing US government agencies, affiliated companies and military installations to purchase the all-electric van.
The Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award is a four-year contract consisting of a base year ending 31 August 2011 and three one year options, exercisable by the government, that extend the contract through 31 August 2014. The GSA estimates the value of the contract over the four year period at more than $112 million. The contract is administered through Brasada Ford LTD., (d/b/a Northside Ford) in San Antonio, TX.
GSA clearly points out that its estimated $112 million contract value over the four year period is neither an indication of future sales, nor a guarantee of actual sales. This GSA award serves as a channel for potential future government orders. Transit Connect Electric will be available through GSA beginning this month for immediate ordering. Northside Ford will administer the sales and fulfillment activities associated with the GSA award. Northside Ford has 18 years of history selling vehicles to the government.
GSA is an important instrument in support of the Administration’s initiative that all new cars and trucks purchased by the federal government starting in 2015 will be hybrids, electric vehicles or other alternative-fuel vehicles. The government operates a fleet of more than 600,000 vehicles, purchasing approximately 60,000 to 70,000 new vehicles annually.
I wondered where they were going to unload the ludicrously overpriced Connect EV, and suspected that it might be courtesy of flying a 'patriotic' flag of convenience.
The heart, if they have one, of 'American' manufacturers will be increasingly where their sales are, in China.
Unless of course they need a bail out, or to flog electric vehicles at $20k more than the competition.
Check out the price of the Kangoo ZE, then add 4 years of battery lease.
Posted by: Davemart | 08 June 2011 at 03:44 PM
Let's have "Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)" contracts of over $112 million for each American social security contributor.
Posted by: kelly | 08 June 2011 at 04:09 PM
I had just decided that I did NOT yet want to spend the extra money for an EV.
Then I bent over to pick up the news and,
guess what I got.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 08 June 2011 at 06:11 PM