City Council
	Agenda Request
Agenda Of:	10-20-09	Agenda Request No:		v-c
Initiated By:	Timothy Jahn, Engineer IV	Responsible Department:		Utilities
Presented By:	Timothy Jahn, Engineer IV	Department Head:		SuEllen Staggs, Director of Utilities
		Additional Department. Head (s):		Chris Steubing, PE City Engineer
Subject / Proceeding:	Wastewater Treatment Plant Emergency Power Generators WW0902 Authorize Purchase of Generators
Exhibits:	Recommendation of Award letter – Frank J. Dillard and Associates, Inc. Bid Proposal from Cummins South Plains
Clearances			Approval
Legal:	N/A		Executive Director:	N/A
Purchasing:	n/a		Asst. City Manager:	Karen Daly
Budget:	Jennifer Brown Budget & Research Director		City Manager:	Allen Bogard for AB
Budget
Expenditure Required: $			680,955.00
Current Budget: $			2,051,168.00
Additional Funding: $			n/a
Recommended Action
Authorize the purchase of three emergency power generators for the City’s wastewater treatment plants for CIP No. WW0902 in an amount not to exceed $680,955.
Executive Summary
The City’s North and South Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs), which treat all the wastewater for the City, do not have emergency power capacity. In the event of an extended power loss, keeping some treatment capabilities is critical in maintaining sanitary conditions. Based on a facility-wide Vulnerability Assessment completed in FY04, a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) prepared in February 2008, and direct experience encountered during Hurricane Ike in September 2008, the Utilities Department recommends adding permanent power generators to the WWTPs. The purpose of the project is to install permanent on-site generators with automatic switch gear at both facilities to provide backup power in the event of extended power loss. These generators will provide emergency power to critical equipment and allow for partial treatment of wastewater flows. The North WWTP will receive two generators – one for the wastewater treatment process area and one for the onsite lift station. The South WWTP will receive one generator for the wastewater treatment process area. Due to the expected lead time to manufacture the generators and to take advantage of lower market prices, Utilities staff recommends purchasing the generators while the construction drawings for installation are being completed. Purchase of the generators will also reduce contractor markup and save the City additional funds. Invitation for Bid 2009-024 was advertised in September and bids were opened on September 17, 2009. Two bids were received and the low bidder for purchase of three generators including warranties was Cummins Southern Plains for $680,955. The lead time for receipt of the generators will take about four to five months after the purchase order is issued. Delivery of the generators is expected to be received around March 2010. A separate construction Invitation for Bid will be prepared in November 2009 that will include site preparation, electrical infrastructure, and needed appurtenances to be installed in the January through June 2010 timeframe. The generators will be installed by the recommended contractor as they are received. Operation of the new generators will partly depend upon CenterPoint Energy’s installation of new electrical services. Startup, testing, and acceptance of the project is expected by July 2010. The budget for purchase is $2,051,168 and available in CIP WW0902. The Utilities Department is requesting that the City Council authorize the purchase of three emergency power generators for the City’s wastewater treatment plants for CIP No. WW0902 in an amount not to exceed $680,955.
Exhibits