CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY PROCUREMENT AWARDS
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Single Source Procurement 25-337, Omicron Support, to Omicron for an amount not to exceed $44,969.25 and for a three-year term
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BACKGROUND:
The Electric Utility operates two Omicron relay testing systems for relay testing and for substation transformer testing.
The relay testing system is a critical component for maintaining the Utility’s infrastructure. Relays function to isolate equipment during a fault or outage to protect critical infrastructure in the Utility’s 16 substations.
The Utility uses Omicron CMC356 testing equipment to ensure that the protection system relays operate within parameters such as time, distance and current to isolate equipment before it fails. The test set is designed to connect to the relay to mimic inputs and outputs that the relay is actually connected to. The relay test set can inject inputs into the relay to simulate system problems, and then the test set measures the relay response to insure it matches the expected action.
The Utility also operates an Omicron Testrano and TD12 units to perform power factor testing on the 40 Electric Utility substation transformers. Power factor testing of substation transformers every three years is our utility standard practice. Additionally, transformers are tested after any major event to ensure the unit has not suffered any damage and is fit to be returned to service. This comprehensive set of tests will identify degradation of the insulation and windings within the transformer.
The relay and transformer test sets are crucial to the Utility’s ability to provide reliable electric service to its customers, and to protect critical infrastructure.
DISCUSSION:
This single source is requested for a three-year term from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, for the purchase of Omicron comprehensive support coverage including calibration and repairs/replacement of Omicron test equipment.
The Electric Utility has identified this purchase as a single source because the manufacturer is the only entity authorized to repair or provide calibration services of its proprietary Omicron devices.
If the single source was not approved, the Electric Utility would be required to procure new relaying test sets to be able to properly test relays. This would involve the procurement of new test sets, development of new relay testing plans, and additional training for engineers and substation lineman to utilize the test sets safely.
The term for this support renewal period begins January 1, 2026, and ends December 31, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP #: N/A
Omicron support is expensed to the Software & Hardware Maintenance account listed below. The 2026 budget included $50,000 for the Omicron support renewal. Although this is a three-year term, the Electric Utility will pay for all three years up front. The award requested is within the amount budgeted for this expense.
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Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
40251300-531312 |
Electric Utility Fund |
$50,000 |