HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 22, 2025ITEM #:23
DATE:04-22-25
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES CONTRACT FOR POWER
PLANT - CONTRACT RENEWAL
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Electric Services’ two high-pressure steam turbine electric generating units within the Power Plant are
referred to as Unit No. 7 and Unit No. 8. These units require regular professional maintenance and
repair. This consists of emergency service as well as regularly planned repairs and services during
scheduled outages. The repair of these generating units requires professional trade crafts such as
boilermakers, electricians/control techs, steam/pipe fitters, and millwrights, to list a few. The units
operate under environmental conditions with high heat and high pressure.
Due to these operational conditions, numerous circuit breakers, relays and electrical circuits are
necessary to safely and reliably operate the Power Plant. All of this equipment must be
professionally maintained, serviced, adjusted, repaired, and rebuilt. Specially trained personnel
perform this work.
On May 9, 2023, Ames City Council awarded a contract to Tri-City Electric Company of Iowa,
Davenport, IA, for the Electrical Maintenance Services Contract for Power Plant. The contract includes
an option that would allow the City to renew the contract for up to four additional one-year terms. This
is the second of four additional renewal contract periods. The City Council should note that the rates
which will be charged by Tri-City Electric Company of Iowa will increase by 3%, as indicated in
their bid document.
Staff recommends that these services continue to be outsourced on an annual renewable contract basis.
The benefits of having a contract for these services in place include the following:
1. Consistency of work and quality from a single contractor.
2. Reduction in the City’s exposure to market forces regarding prices and availability for labor,
travel, and supplies in preparation for a scheduled outage.
3. Rapid contractor mobilization to start emergency repairs, thus reducing generation downtime.
4. Saved City staff time obtaining quotes, evaluating bids and preparing specifications and other
procurement documentation.
The approved FY 2025/26 operating budget for Electric Production includes $120,000 for relay
and breaker maintenance. Actual expenses will be based on services provided and invoiced during the
term of the renewal.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the contract renewal with Tri-City Electric Company of Iowa, Davenport, IA, for the
Electrical Maintenance Services Contract for Power Plant for the one-year period from July 1,
2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not-to-exceed $120,000.
1
2. Reject the renewal option and instruct staff to seek new competitive bids.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This work is necessary to properly maintain relays, circuit breakers and electrical circuits and to
carry out emergency and scheduled repairs resulting from equipment failures. This contract
would establish competitive rates for service and provide for guaranteed availability, thereby
setting in place known rates for service and controlling the Plant’s costs. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as stated above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Electrical Maintenance Services Renewal 25-26 pricing.pdf
2
ELECTRICAL
MAINTENANCE
SERVICES CONTRACT
DESCRIPTION Hourly Rate Hourly Rate Hourly Rate Hourly Rate Hourly Rate Hourly Rate
Supervisor $ 100.94 $ 135.96 $ 175.10 $ 103.97 $ 140.04 $ 180.35
Apprentice 1 & 2 $ 41.20 $ 54.59 $ 67.98 $ 42.44 $ 56.23 $ 70.02
Apprentice 3 $ 50.47 $ 65.92 $ 82.40 $ 51.98 $ 67.90 $ 84.87
Apprentice 4 $ 55.62 $ 73.13 $ 91.67 $ 57.29 $ 75.32 $ 94.42
Apprentice 5 $ 62.83 $ 82.40 $ 104.03 $ 64.71 $ 84.87 $ 107.15
Apprentice 6 $ 72.10 $ 91.67 $ 117.42 $ 74.26 $ 94.42 $ 120.94
Foreman $ 96.82 $ 131.84 $ 168.92 $ 99.72 $ 135.80 $ 173.99
Journeyman $ 92.70 $ 128.75 $ 164.80 $ 95.48 $ 132.61 $ 169.74
Technicial Level 1 $ 103.00 $ 139.05 $ 175.10 $ 106.09 $ 143.22 $ 180.35
Technicial Level 2 $ 108.15 $ 144.20 $ 180.25 $ 111.39 $ 148.53 $ 185.66
Technicial Level 3 $ 118.45 $ 154.50 $ 195.70 $ 122.00 $ 159.14 $ 201.57
Protection & Controls
Specialist $ 133.90 $ 180.25 $ 226.60 $ 137.92 $ 185.66 $ 233.40
Subsistence:
Travel:
Mileage:
Material Costs:
Labor Rates:
Travel & Sub:
FY24-25
$189.52 per day
3% per year
3% per year
$77.25 per hour (when outside normal
business hours)
$.72 per mile
Cost Plus 10 %
Misc. Tools and Equipment Rates /
Rate per U/M
see attached
Proposed Price Increase for Renewal
Periods:
see attached
Proposed Price Increase for Renewal
Periods:
3% per year
3% per year
PROPOSED FY25-26
$195.21 per day
$79.57 per hour (when outside normal
business hours)
$.74 per mile
Cost Plus 10 %
Misc. Tools and Equipment Rates /
Rate per U/M
3