(a)
One hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) shall be allocated by the commission to fund a competitive program for the acquisition of both commuter and intercity rail cars and locomotives designed pursuant to Section 99603. Local agencies and the department may apply for these funds, which shall be allocated to the department for a joint purchase. No matching funds shall be required for this competitive program. A local agency may contract with the department for purchase of additional rail equipment funded with other funds
available to the local agency, including funds made available by this chapter. No funds made available by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be used to purchase intercity or commuter rail cars or locomotives other than the standard equipment designed pursuant to Section 99603.
(b)
The department shall estimate the need for commuter and intercity rail cars and locomotives to be ordered pursuant to this section and establish a delivery schedule based on the needs of the operators of rail service. Orders for rail cars and locomotives shall include options as deemed necessary by the department to ensure that equipment is delivered when needed and to permit additional future orders.
(c)
The department may purchase rail cars and locomotives by competitive bid or competitive negotiation, and may negotiate sale-lease back provisions if determined to be advantageous. Proceeds
from sale-lease back shall be used to acquire additional rail cars and equipment.