Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving the Waiver of Purchasing Policies Requirement for Formal Bidding Allowing for a Single-Source Purchasing Arrangement with the Current DCS Software and Hardware Supplier RESOLUTION NO. 21-044 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WAIVER OF PURCHASING POLICIES REQUIREMENT FOR FORMAL BIDDING ALLOWING FOR A SINGLE-SOURCE PURCHASING ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CURRENT DCS SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE SUPPLIER FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Electric Services Department uses a Distributed Control System(DCS)to monitor status and operate the boilers,turbines, generators,and auxiliary equipment located in the Power Plant and at remote times; and, WHEREAS, the existing DCS system was installed in 2015 during the Natural Gas Conversion project and the DCS was supplied and supported by Emerson Process Management Power&Water Solutions, Inc., from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and, WHEREAS, it has been common practice to update the DCS system hardware every five years to maintain reliability and maintainability and it is recommended by the Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM); and, WHEREAS, the proposed upgrades will include six servers, seven workstations, all up-to- date Emerson Ovation software and all third-party software used to support the DCS, seven root switches,one router, all on-site/off-site management as well as engineering to support the upgrade, offsite Factory Acceptance Testing, on-site installation, and training; and, WHEREAS,a part of the upgrade will include updating the existing Ovation Security Center (OSC) to a Power and Water CyberSecurity Suite (PWCS), and this new hardware will also help staff keep current in a world subject to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating requirements; and, WHEREAS, the new PWCS will include a McAfee antivirus software package, replacing the existing Kaspersky antivirus software which NERC recommends replacing due to its possible ties with the Russian Government; and, WHEREAS,the existing DCS cabinets,controllers,infostructure,wiring,and graphics need to all remain in order to avoid greater costs, invasive hardware change outs, extensive down time, and a new system training for all plant operators; thus requiring the upgrade project to be a single- source purchase from Emerson; and, WHEREAS, upgrading the existing DCS hardware with Emerson Ovation is the most practical and cost-effective way to maintain system reliability and stay current with supported software and hardware while gaining more functionality and security. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the waiver of the Purchasing Policies requirement for formal bidding allowing for a single- source purchasing arrangement with the current DCS software and hardware supplier is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 26`'' day of January, 2021. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Gartin Seconded by: Corrieri Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 26t'day of January, 2021.