REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: CASSIE L. SCHOLZ, PE, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
JOSHUA MERTEN, Engineer I
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Reject all bids received for the purchase of four (4) Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drives for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility. (Bid File 12502008) (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council reject all bids received for the purchase of four (4) Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drives for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The existing raw sewage pump variable frequency drives (VFDs) at the RWRF are no longer reliable and the Department of Public Utilities is seeking to replace them. The sole bidder on the Product Purchase Contract took exception to the terms and conditions of the bid specifications and has been deemed non-responsive.
Within 90 days, the staff will pursue the purchase of four (4) Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drives with an approved method of procurement.
BACKGROUND
The VFDs are used at the RWRF to control raw sewage pump motors to accommodate the varying wastewater flows into the facility. The current VFDs were retrofitted in 2013 and have been reliable until 2019 at which time the facility has experienced failures at rate of two VFDs per year. This project will replace the existing VFDs with a 6-pulse technology that will be much more robust, reliable, and supported for years to come.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published on Planet Bids on March 25, 2025. One bid was received and opened at the public bid opening on April 15, 2025. The bidder took exceptions to the specifications and has been deemed non-responsive.
Staff will pursue the purchase of four (4) Allen-Bradley PF755TL 800 HP ND Type 1 Variable Frequency Drives with an approved method of procurement within 90 days.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, the approval of this item does not qualify as a “project” for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this action is to reject all bids.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact on the General Fund. This item is for the rejection of all received bids.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map