CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Cooperative Procurement 25-320, Arc Flash Rated and Flame Retardant Apparel, to Tyndale Enterprises, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $104,500 and for a two-year term
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Brian Groth, Director
BACKGROUND:
OSHA requires electric utilities to identify the electric arc flash risks/hazards that employees are exposed to while at work. The OSHA standards establish a need for flame-retardant (FR) garments to include Electric Utility (Utility) union and non-union staff. OSHA requires employers, such as the Utility, to provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees to protect them from known hazards.
In 2021, the Utility defined the FR clothing that its employees must wear under certain conditions and job tasks. Staff identified Tyndale Enterprises FR clothing to fulfill OSHA requirements.
DISCUSSION:
Fulfilling the requirement to provide FR clothing to Utility staff is a significant administrative task made easier due to the Tyndale system. Tyndale specifically caters to large employers and offers a wide variety of apparel. Additionally, they host a service where the employer establishes an allowance for individual employees within a custom online portal. Any returns are handled directly between the individual employee and Tyndale. New non-union employees are outfitted via the Tyndale system, utilizing a standard allowance based on job classification. After initial outfitting, the Utility is required to replace garments that reach the end of life or are damaged beyond repair.
Tyndale is also used by Utility supervisors to purchase replacement items for union employees, not included in the Cintas uniform rental program, which may include shirts, pants, coats, sweatshirts, and boots. This contract streamlines and consolidates FR purchases. As a normal part of their business, Tyndale provides Naperville labeling/logos with...
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