CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Sole Source Procurement 20-382, Schweitzer Electric Laboratory (SEL) Transformer Fault Indicators, to A Star Electric for an amount not to exceed $242,500
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Lucille Podlesny, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Electric Utility (Utility) currently has several thousand fault indicators, manufactured by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory (SEL), installed in transformers throughout the electrical distribution system. These indicators are used by field personnel to identify the location of faulted cable during an outage event in order to reduce the amount of time customers are without power. For the last 20 years, the Utility has been installing fault indicators on transformers throughout its distribution system. There are approximately 3,300 installed in the field today and indicators are placed on new transformers as they are come on the system.
DISCUSSION:
Some of the older units are no longer working and in need of replacement. A program to inspect and repair or replace the units was started in October of 2020. The need for replacement units quickly exceeded the normal level of inventory. As such, an estimate of the requirements for the next 12 to 15 months was put together and is the basis for this request. The estimated needs are single phase units of 250 at a quoted price of $270 or $67,500, and three phase units of 350 at a quoted price of $500 or $175,000 for a total request of $242,500.
The Utility has identified this purchase as a sole source because SEL is the sole designer and manufacturer of these products. A Star Electric is the only authorized manufacturer’s representative for SEL in the State of Illinois. A Star Electric has agreed to maintain the quoted pricing to the specified end date. A sole source letter from the manufacturer is attached. This sole source is requested from the date of approval to December 31, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP#: N/A
SEL transformer fault indicators is expensed to the Operating Supplies account listed below. A total of $3,000,000 was budgeted for Warehouse supplies in 2020. The requested award of $242,500 is within budget.
|
Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
40101300-541407 |
Electric Utility Fund |
$3,000,150 |