REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Interim Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: BUD TICKEL, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
MARTIN WENDELS, Project Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Requirements Contract with Core & Main LP to supply tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves for an annual amount of $204,378.83 for one year, with the option of two one-year extensions (Bid File 9634)(Citywide).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the Requirements Contract with Core & Main LP to supply water main tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves for an annual amount of $204,378.83 for one year, with the option of two one-year extensions.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Water Division (Water) delivers potable water through a network of pipeline spanning over 1,800 miles. While ideal to make connections during the initial construction of water mains, quite often connections are made later when the distribution system is active and under pressure. Tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves enable field crews to make connections to the active water system without causing service disruptions.
Council approval of the Requirements Contract with Core & Main LP to supply the water main tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves will help ensure, as best practicable, uninterrupted service to water customers.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno delivers potable drinking water to over 500,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The Water Division ensures that the distribution system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible at all times. With a service area of over 114 square miles, it is important to have the necessary tools and supplies available to make connections with minimal impact to the system and customers. Tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves allow connections to be made while the distribution system is under pressure. This particular method enables field crews to make connections to the distribution system without taking the supply line out of service and thus avoids disruption to an entire service area.
A Notice inviting Bids was published on December 8, 2021, per the City of Fresno Charter Section 1208. Bids were opened on January 4, 2022. Three bids were received and one of the bids was determined to be non-responsive. The lowest responsive bidder was Core & Main LP.
Staff recommends that Council approve the Requirements Contract with Core & Main LP, which will allow for the continued practice of making connections to the active water system, thus avoiding unnecessary shutdowns.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, a requirements contract does not qualify as a “project”.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply, as there was only one responsive bidder.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for the requirements contract to purchase tapping sleeves and tapping gate valves is included in the FY 2022 Water Enterprise Fund Budget.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Bid Evaluation
Attachment 2 - Sample Contract