Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Division of Planning and Operations is responsible for installation and maintenance of traffic control devices along the City's roadway system. To accomplish this mission the Division requires two (2) 29-Foot Aerial Trucks to install and maintain fiber optic cable mounted on utility poles. These 29-Foot Aerial Trucks will replace units that are beyond its useful service life and provide for a more reliable fleet to carry out services provided by the Division. This purchase is consistent with the division's fleet replacement program.
Bids were advertised in the City Bulletin and were received by the Purchasing Office on August 30, 2012 for Bid SA004460 as follows:
Company Truck Type Extended Cost Status
Utility Truck Equipment 2 - 29 Ft Aerial Bucket Trucks $217,900.00 Majority
(Columbus, OH)
Altec Industries, Inc. 2 - 29 Ft Aerial Bucket Trucks $183,604.00 Majority
(Elizabethtown, KY)
The bid from Utility Truck Equipment, Inc. met specifications as the most responsive, responsible and best bidder.
The lowest bid from Altec Industries, Inc. did not meet specifications as expressed in the solicitation. Altec Industries, Inc. took exception with specifications that could not be accepted due to safety requirements.
A front stabilizer bar was listed as a requirement, and was not available on Altec's quoted vehicle. A stabilizer bar improves the handling of the vehicle and helps to prevent the vehicle's body from rolling in a sharp turn.
The boom was to meet ANSI Category C voltages up to 46 KV. The boom in Altec's vehicle meets this rating extended, but when the boom is retracted it does not provide the protection against electricity specified in the bid.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Ut...
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