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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - May 21, 2003 E-11e"= Y CIrry FzOF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Adopt resolution authorizing the purchase of nine - 15 W padmount liquid insulated vacuum switchgears from Trayer Engineering Corporation of San Francisco, in the amount of 1201,235.24 (EUD) FETING DATE May 21, 2003 SUBMITTED BY Electric Utility Director RECOMMENDED ACTION That the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase of nine - 15 W liquid insulated vacuum switchgears, as a sole source purchase, from Trayer Engineering Corporation of San Francisco, in the amount of $201,235.24 BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This type of switching equipment is utilized throughout the underground distribution system in industrial, commercial and residential areas to supply branch feeders from the main feeders. The equipment also provides switching points for both the main and branch feeders as well as protection of the branch feeders utilizing fuses. It also provides switching points during fault isolation and service restoration as well as clearance points for normal and emergency work. The Department formally bid 11 units of this type of equipment in January 2000 and received three bids of which one reset the specifications_ The other two bids were based on the same manufacturer's equipment and took exceptions to the specifications_ The specifications required a switch within the equipment that provides for a "visible open" point verifiable through a viewing window, The main switch is a vacuum insulated switch and cannot he visibly verified open. The equipment offered by Trayer Engineering does have this feature. The "visible open" is a safety requirement when work is performed on the system. Being able to obtain and verify such a visibie open with a simple switch operation is of great benefit. The alternative involves separating the 600 ampere cable connections requiring c=sOerable amounts of labor and risking cable and terminator damage and contamination resulting in possible future faults. The "visible open" is required regularly during maintenance and construction/expansion work on the system. The ability to obtain the "visible open" with a single switch operation offers significant labor saving, preserves the integrity of the system and minimizes Interruptions to our customers. In addition. the Trayer Engineering product is made of stainless steel resulting in reduced maintenance costs: has over forty years proven experience in the utility industry with 30 years in Lodi for the switch mechanism; and is insulated with a biodegradable insulating fluid. The stainless steel design and biodegradable insulation fluid are options at additional costs from the other manufacturer. Based an the above and the fact that the other manufacturer has not changed design since the last bid and that Trayer Engineering Corporation's quotation is less per unit than the unit price at the bid in January 2000, it is recommended that the City Council authorize this purchase as a sole source purchase. it should be noted that the Department has been using this type of equipment from other manufacturers over the years and has replaced all but the four mentioned below due to failures, deterioration and not meeting current operating requirements This equipment will be installed in new comrnerciai developments being planned at the northwest corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane and in residential developments in the Century Meadows area. Other uses H. Dix n Flynn - City Manager .CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION a :, will be f a . r p[a e teat raf' oaar . s%ng° witcl (from otter:r i rtof cturers) no longer considered relf tyle and not meeting today's operating requirement as well as to replenish the Department's invertory.fi r future- develop, on urronfly in the preliminary design stage.. FUNDING: Available within the Electric Utility Department's 2001-03 Financial Plan and Budget Distribution System Improvement (Page E-31) Funding Available lti ` Vicky Ic ll,., mance director AlaAvallow Electric Utility Director PREPARED BY,, Flans Hansen, Manager, Engineering and Operations Ca City .Attorney Firiance Director Purchasing officer H. Dixon Flynn n city Manager I - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WHEREAS, Lodi Municipal Code §3.20,070 authorizes dispensing with bids for purchases of supplies, services, or equipment when it is in the best interest of the City to do so,, and WHEREAS, the 1 padmount liquid insulated vacuum switchgears are utilized throughout the underground distribution system in industrial, commercial, and residential areas to supply branch feeders from the main feeders, and WHEREAS, the equipment also provides switching points for the main and branch feeders as well as protection of the branch feeders utilizing fuses. It also provides switching points during fault isolation and service restoration as well as Clearance points for normal and emergency work; and WHEREAS, the Department formally bid 11 units of this type of equipment in January 2000 and received three bids, of which one met the specifications. The other two bids were based on the same manufacturer's equipment and took exceptions to the specifications. The specifications required a switch within the equipment that provides for a "visible open" point verifiable through a viewing window. The main switch is a vacuum insulated switch and cannot be visibly verified open. The equipment offered by Trayer Engineering does have this feature. The "visible open" is a safety requirement when work is performed on the system, Being able to obtain and verify such a visible open with a simple switch operation is of great benefit. The alternative involves separating the 600 ampere cable connections requiring considerable amounts of labor and risking cable and terminator damage and contamination resulting in possible future faults, The "visible open" is required regularly during maintenance and constructioniexpansion work on the system, The ability to obtain the "visible open" with a single switch operation offers significant labor savings, preserves the integrity of the system, and minimizes interruptions to our customers; and WHEREAS, the Trayer Engineering product is made of stainless steel resulting in reduced maintenance costs; has over forty years proven experience in the utility industry with 30 years in Lodi for the switch mechanism; and is insulated with a biodegradable insulating fluid. The stainless steel design and biodegradable insulation fluid are options at additional costs from the other manufacturer-, and WHEREAS, based on the above information and the fact that the other manufacturer has not changed design since the last bid and that Trayer Engineering Corporation's quotation is less per unit than the unit price of the bid in January 2000, it is recommended that the City Council authorize this purchase as a sole source purchase; and WHEREAS, the City tanager recommend the sole -source purchase of nine (). units of 1 kV padmount liquid insulated vacuum switchgears from Trayer Engineering Corporation, of San Francisco, CA, in the amount of $201,23524. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Loi City Council does hereby approve the sole -source purchase of nine () units of 1 kV p dmount liquid insulated vacuum switchgears from Tr yer Engineering Corporation, of Sari Francisca, CA, in the amount of $201,235,24, Dated: May 21, 2003 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2003-86 was passed and adapted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held May 21, 2443, by the following vote: 11 11 111 11114 1111 �� �!111 11111 MUM 111�1ff"MKVPWTAX mom Wig M. 91m, NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None SENT; COUNCIL MEMBERS — Mayor Hitchcock SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk