REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL AMICO, PE, Interim Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: Cassie L. Scholz, PE, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
JOSHUA MERTEN, Engineer l
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Variable Frequency Drives at the Fresno - Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Council District 3):
1. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a resolution authorizing an exception to formal bidding procedures and award of a sole source purchase agreement with Rexel USA, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $1,191,850.00; (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. Award the product purchase agreement to Rexel USA, Inc. for the provision and delivery of four Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drives to the Fresno - Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility in the amount not to exceed $1,191,850.00;
3. Authorize the Interim Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to execute the product purchase agreement on behalf of the City with Rexel USA, Inc.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a resolution and award a sole source product purchase agreement to Allied Electric Rexel USA (Rexel), in the amount not to exceed $1,191,850. Staff further recommends authorizing the Interim Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City). The purchase shall include delivery, performance of startup services, and training facility staff in the operations, and maintenance of four (4) Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) at the Fresno - Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The existing RWRF raw sewage pump VFDs are no longer reliable and experience frequent failures. The Department of Public Utilities is seeking replacement VFDs that will provide reliability, uniformity, compatibility, and commonality of parts.
BACKGROUND
The existing Allen-Bradley Systems VFDs at the RWRF are used to control the raw sewage pumps to accommodate the varying wastewater flows into the facility. The current VFDs were retrofitted in 2013 and were reliable until 2019 when the VFDs started failing at a rate of two per year. This project will replace the existing VFDs with a 6-pulse technology that is more robust, reliable, and will be supported for years to come. Replacing the VFDs adds redundancy and increases reliability which reduces the risk of future failure and expensive emergency repairs.
The Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 VFD was selected to be the standard VFD at the RWRF for equipment and spare part uniformity and availability, and streamlined training on VFD maintenance and operations. These benefits contribute to the RWRF’s overall critical systems redundancy.
The replacement VFDs were previously bid in March 2025, and the purchase did not proceed due to the single bidder being non-responsive. It was found at that time that Rexel is the sole provider of the Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drive. The Department of Public Utilities staff contacted Rexel to obtain a quote for four (4) VFDs. On May 23, 2025, Rexel provided a quote in the amount of $1,191,850. Due to the prevailing global trade conditions, including applicable taxes, tariffs, excise duties, and import fees on internationally sourced products, a contingency allowance of fifteen percent has been incorporated into the total estimated cost.
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed the authorizing resolution and proposed product purchase agreement and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this product purchase does not qualify as a “project” for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this is a sole source purchase.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funds for this project are included in the Wastewater Division Enterprise Fund 4500-4501. This project is located within Council District 3.
Attachments:
25-1446 Resolution with Rexel USA, Inc. and Product Purchase Agreement
25-1446 Vicinity Map