Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Fluid Conservation Systems for the purchase of one Leak Detection Correlator System for the Division of Power and Water (Water). This unit will be used by our Distribution Maintenance crews for leak detection in the City of Columbus water lines.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 329.06 (Solicitation SA004133). Twenty (20) vendors (20 MAJ) were solicited and five (5) bids (5 MAJ) were received and opened on October 27, 2011. Four (4) bidders were submitted were deemed non-responsive to the bid specifications for various sections. A description of each is below. However, all four non-responsive bidders did not meet the most critical specification spelled out in Section 3.2.6 (Sensor). Without the sensor the Division of Power and Water (Water) personnel would not have the capability to locate large diameter and plastic pipes which is important to ensuring leak detection of those types of infrastructure.
The lowest bid was R.F. Hunter at $16,995.00. They submitted an alternate bid of the Vivax/Metrotech system. After reviewing the supplied data, it was determined that they do not meet our specifications. The unit does not have a high visibility color VGA touch screen (3.2.1). The unit does not have a snapshot feature (3.2.4). The unit does not have sensor rated at 25 volts per g (minimum) (3.2.6). Without a sensor that meets this specification, the unit would not be have the capability to locate large diameter pipe or plastic pipe; a need that is critical to the Division's requirements. The unit does not have lithium-ion batteries (3.2.7).
The next lowest bid was ADS LLC at $19,111.00. They submitted an alternate bid of the Eureka Digital by Primayer system. After reviewing the supplied data, it was determined that they do not meet our specifications. The unit is PC based and does not have stand alone base station (3.2). The third accelerometer is listed as an option, but not included in bid (3.2.2). The unit does not have a snapshot feature (3.2.4). The unit does not have sensor rated at 25 volts per g (minimum) (3.2.6). Without a sensor that meets this specification, the unit would not be have the capability to locate large diameter pipe or plastic pipe; a need that is critical to the Division's requirements. The unit does not have lithium-ion batteries (3.2.7).
The next lowest bid was Echologics Engineering at $19,960.00. They submitted an alternate bid of the Echologics Engineering/Leak Finder RT system. After reviewing the supplied data, it was determined that they do not meet our specifications. The unit is PC based and does not have stand alone base station (3.2). The unit does not have a high visibility color VGA touch screen (3.2.1). The unit does not have the tri-filter correlation option (3.2.2). The unit does not have sensor rated at 25 volts per g (minimum) (3.2.6). Without a sensor that meets this specification, the unit would not be have the capability to locate large diameter pipe or plastic pipe; a need that is critical to the Division's requirements. The unit does not have lithium-ion batteries (3.2.7).
The next lowest bid was USA Bluebook at $24,400.00. They submitted an alternate bid of the Subsurface Leak Detection LC-2500 system. After reviewing the supplied data, it was determined that they do not meet our specifications. The unit does not have a high visibility color VGA touch screen (3.2.1). The unit does not have the tri-filter correlation option (3.2.2). The unit does not have a snapshot feature (3.2.4). The unit does not have single charging facility (3.2.5). The unit does not have sensor rated at 25 volts per g (minimum) (3.2.6). Without a sensor that meets this specification, the unit would not be have the capability to locate large diameter pipe or plastic pipe; a need that is critical to the Division's requirements. The unit does not have lithium-ion batteries (3.2.7). This unit has 2 sets of sensors depending on pipe size and construction.
The next lowest bid was Fluid Conservation Systems. They submitted bid per specification of the FCS TriCorr Touch Correlator. After reviewing the supplied data, it was determined that they do meet our specifications. Therefore, the Division of Power and Water (Water) is recommending award go to Fluid Conservation Systems as the lowest responsive, responsible, and best bidder to meet our specifications. This award is for (1) FCS TriCorr Correlator. The total award will be for $39,000.00.
The company is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
SUPPLIER: Fluid Conservation Systems, Contract Compliance Number: 74-2619979, expires 10/31/2013. This supplier does not hold MBE/FBE status.
FISCAL IMPACT: $39,000.00 is budgeted for this purchase. There were no similar purchases in 2009 or 2010.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Fluid Conservation Systems for the purchase of one Leak Detection Correlator System for the Division of Power and Water and to authorize the expenditure of $39,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund. ($39,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, one Leak Detection Correlator System is required by the Division of Power and Water for leak detection; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office opened formal bids on October 27, 2011 for the purchase of one Leak Detection Correlator System for the Division of Power and Water; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Power and Water recommends an award to be made to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Fluid Conservation Systems; and
WHEREAS, a contract will be issued by the Purchasing Office in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of Solicitation Number: SA004133 on file in the Purchasing Office; now, therefore
BE IT ORADINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to establish a contract with Fluid Conservation Systems for the purchase of one Leak Detection Correlator System for the Division of Power and Water, in accordance with specifications on file in the Purchasing Office.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $39,000.00 much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized from Water Systems Operating Fund 600, Department 60-09, OCA Code 602730, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6651, to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.