Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Cargill, Inc. for the purchase of one AccuBrine NXT-Gen brine maker for the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management. The Division of Infrastructure Management will use it to make brine to improve various roadways in Columbus during the winter seasons.
The Department of Public Service started utilizing AccuBrine automated equipment at our newly constructed sites, and the brine systems were included in the bidding process for the new sites. This equipment has proprietary and protected processes not available on other brine making equipment. As existing equipment at other sites reaches end of life, it is in the department’s best interest to replace it with the same equipment being installed at the new sites. This is important due to parts availability, software compatibility, servicing, and driver training. Due to space limitations, it is not economical to stock parts for multiple manufacturers, and the majority of the parts are not interchangeable. Having parts on hand for rapid repair of equipment during snow events is a necessity. The ability to manage software and service through one service contract is more cost effective and efficient, and this streamlines our operations as well. Driver and operator training is also a reason for maintaining one type of equipment. Drivers may be using equipment at several different sites during snow events. The equipment needs to have uniform function and programming to avoid confusion and misuse of equipment.
Ordinances 1378-2021 and 0939-2022 requested bid waivers to contract with the vendor due to protected proprietary processes used by the vendor/manufacturer of the brine maker. This equipment is not available through other vendors.
The Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure is requesting to waive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329, for t...
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