CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 22-216, Electric Control Room Workstation Upgrade, to Evans Consoles Inc. for an amount not to exceed $175,115.63
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BACKGROUND:
The Electric Utility (“Utility”) control room is staffed 24x7 with system controllers that monitor vital electric infrastructure supplying power to municipal customers. The controllers monitor grid alerts from multiple real-time systems while managing requests for assistance from the Customer Call Center as well as PSAP. System controllers are responsible for troubleshooting outages, restoring power, and working with city personnel or contractors to make equipment safe to work on when needed.
Over the last 20 years the control room requirements for managing the electric grid operations has expanded and now necessitates the addition of multiple computers and monitors. The existing consoles and furniture were purchased in 2002 and are in poor condition and in need of replacement. The proposed solution will provide better ergonomics to reduce fatigue and allow the controllers to work either sitting or standing.
An RFP was issued in October of 2021. However, the proposal review committee rejected the proposal received due to improper documentation and lack of inclusion of requested items. An approved cooperative contract was identified by the Utility and Procurement resulting in a complete submission by Evans Consoles Inc. who has extensive experience in the design, delivery, and installation of control room operator consoles in multiple industries, including electric utilities.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends the use of approved cooperative contract, HGAC Contract #E07-20 through Evans Consoles Inc., for the procurement of the Electric Control Room Workstation Upgrade.
Evans Consoles Inc. has designed the control room to drive efficiency, improve communication and enhance operator performance. All furniture and installation will also be coordinated and managed by this vendor.
The control room upgrade is expected to be completed by December 31, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP#: N/A
The replacement of control room workstations is expensed to the Building & Grounds Maintenance account listed below. The Electric Utility included $20,000 in the 2022 budget for this expense, which was anticipated to cover one workstation, with additional workstations budgeted in future years. Based on the delays experienced in 2021, the Electric Utility now plans to replace all workstations in 2022 to avoid future delays. The additional amount not included in the budget can be accommodated by underspending in other areas of the Electric Utility’s operating budget that are the result of ongoing supply chain issues.
|
Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
40271300-531302 |
Electric Utility |
$200,233 |