CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Bid 25-058, Substation Ground Grid Analysis, to Safearth Americas Corp. for an amount not to exceed $450,179 and for a 28-month term
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
One of the basic design elements of an electrical substation is the ground grid. Ground grids are located approximately 18” below the surface and are made of various conductive materials, including bare copper wire and solid copper ground rods, electrically connected through welding and clamping.
Substation ground grids serve two primary purposes. First, they are used to ensure that all equipment in the substation is at the same potential, reducing the risk of shock for employees and contractors. Second, ground grids provide a return path for current, ensuring the continued flow of power to homes and businesses.
Over time, due to current flow, soil conditions and continued vehicular traffic in the substation yard, the integrity of the welds, clamps and wires can become compromised.
In July 2025, the Electric Utility issued Bid 25-058, Substation Ground Grid Analysis, to obtain proposals for consultants and contractors to: perform testing on the Naperville Substation ground grids, provide reports on findings, and make recommendations for improvement, if necessary.
DISCUSSION:
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Advertisement Date: |
7/8/2025 |
Notices Sent: |
98 |
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Opening Date: |
8/1/2025 |
Plan holders: |
25 |
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Proposals Received: |
4 |
Bids were received from the following vendors:
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Vendor Name |
Proposed Cost |
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Engineer’s Estimate |
$480,000 |
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Safearth Americas Corp. |
$450,179 |
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Osmose |
$1,313,200 |
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Utilities One, Inc. |
$2,000,000 |
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SEL Engineering Services |
NON-RESPONSIVE |
The SEL Engineering Services bid was deemed non-responsive. The SEL Engineering Services price was similar to the Safearth bid; however, they failed to provide pricing on all requested items, their proposed schedule would have resulted in significantly higher City labor costs, and they were not compliant with the City’s terms and conditions.
The completion date of this project is December 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP #: N/A
Substation Ground Grid Analysis is expensed to the Architect and Engineering Services account listed below. The 2025 budget did not include funding for this service; however, it is anticipated that expenses associated with this award can be accommodated within the 2025 budget. Additionally, staff is currently in the process of developing the 2026 budget, which does include funding for this service moving forward.
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Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
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40321300-531301 |
Electric Utility Fund |
$115,000 |
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