CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Sole Source Procurement 25-213, Automated Switchgear, to Universal Utility Supply Company for an amount not to exceed $1,051,504
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Naperville Electric Utility (Utility) continues to invest in the automation of the electrical grid and currently has 142 automated switchgears installed that work together to determine the section of faulted cable and then automatically isolate it, minimizing the number and duration of outages.
As part of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) EU049, Distribution Automation, the Utility will continue to design, install, and relocate the Distribution Automating (DA) sectionalizing units at various points on the electric system. The advantages of this buildout are evident when examining the Utility’s System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) numbers and comparing the data with the DA switchgear and without the DA Switchgear.
DISCUSSION:
This Sole Source is requested for a one-time purchase of eight S&C 6802 Automated PME9 Stainless Switchgear. These switches will be utilized in expanding existing DA teams and automating 12kV feeders between the Indian Hill, Ogden, and Chicago substations. The DAs will be installed along with the replacement of underground cable and reconfiguration of select feeders for reliability. S&C’s products are in use throughout the City for the specific purpose of automating switch closures using their DA switch during the event of a power outage or fault.
The Utility has identified this purchase as a Sole Source because Universal Utility Supply Company (UUSCO) is the sole distributor of S&C hardware. The continued use of S&C hardware maintains standardization and uniformity throughout the system. Switching to a new provider would require that a new SCADA and automation system be designed and/or extensive integration work. Working in a hybrid system does not guarantee that all functionalities will be available. A Sole Source letter from the manufacturer is attached.
The equipment is expected to be delivered by March 31, 2026, or approximately 35 weeks.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP#: EU049 - Distribution Automation
Switchgears are expensed to the Operating Supplies account listed below. Switchgears are initially expensed to an Operating Supplies account and stored in the warehouse. Once they are installed for a project, staff will assign the expense to the correct capital project. The switchgears associated with this order are not expected to be received until 2026. Although the 2026 budget has not been finalized yet, staff will ensure that the proper amount is included to fund this award.
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Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
40251300-541407 |
Electric Utility Fund |
TBD |