WASHINGTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced plans to buy and deliver $300 million worth of energy-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"GSA will focus on vehicles that will provide long-term environmental benefits and savings by increasing the energy efficiency of the Federal fleet," said GSA acting Administrator Paul Prouty. "We will achieve this by using newer, more energy-efficient vehicles and advanced technologies while spending the money quickly to stimulate the economy."

GSA will spend about $285 million for 17,600 commercially available fuel-efficient vehicles by June 1. Included are 2,500 hybrid sedans to be ordered by April 15.

GSA will also dedicate $15 million to pilot advanced technology vehicles in its fleet. Pilot programs will focus on commercially available compressed natural gas and hybrid buses, and all-electric vehicles. These orders will be placed by Sept. 30.

"GSA will use existing, competitively bid contracts for all orders and does not intend to award new contracts to spend Recovery Act money," said Commissioner James A. Williams of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service.

GSA will buy new motor vehicles only to replace, on a one-for-one basis, operational motor vehicles in the federal inventory that currently meet replacement standards. Each vehicle purchased must have a higher mpg rating than the vehicle it replaces with the overall goal of at least a 10-percent increase in fuel efficiency for the entire procurement.