TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
Award of Contract to Tess Electric, Inc. for Well 9 Electrical Improvements; and finding of CEQA exemption.
body
2. Summary
Bids for Well 9 Electrical Improvements were solicited. Two bidders responded with the apparent low bidder Tess Electric, Inc. of Riverside, in the amount of $56,381.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Award contract to Tess Electric, Inc. in the amount of $62,019 representing an original bid amount of $56,381, plus a 10% contingency of $5,638 for Well 9 Electrical Improvements; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
2. Find that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities).
end
4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this contract is $56,381 and will be funded through Water (600):
600.8011.51510.00000 Maintenance of Wells
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Provide for a safe community
b: Provide and maintain infrastructure necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
Goal 4: Provide outstanding public service
b: Provide facilities and services to meet customer expectations.
6. Discussion and Background
A variable frequency drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage of its power supply. This allows a controlled ramp-up of the motor during start-up and thus will result in energy savings. A VFD allows the pump to be run at set speeds/rates rather than simply on/off which will also help increase electrical efficiency of the pump motor and incrementally reduce electrical cost. Additionally, a VFD helps to reduce maintenance by lowering pumping pressure during periods of lower demand. With the installation of a VFD for the Well 9 pump, all hardware and connections will be provided to connect the well pump motor to the SCADA system.
Through an informal bid process, the Public Works Water Division met with three electrical contractors at the site and requested bids for these improvements. Two bids were received as follows:
1. Tess Electric Inc. $56,381
2. Halcyon Electric Inc. $171,247
One contractor, Delta Electric, was non-responsive.
The Water Division has worked with Tess Electric, Inc. on several projects in recent years and has found them to be very responsive to our calls, as well as being very familiar with our equipment and safety requirements. Therefore, staff recommends that Tess Electric Inc. be awarded the contract in the amount of $62,019, representing an original bid amount of $56,381, plus a 10% contingency of $5,638.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Categorical Exemption: The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities) in that the project consists of repairs, maintenance, and safety improvement at existing public facilities and results in no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the City’s determination.
8. ATTACHMENTS
• Contract with Tess Electric, Inc.
• Tess Electric, Inc. Proposal