HomeMy WebLinkAboutA015 - April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:19
DATE:04-28-26
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:SPECIALIZED WET DRY VACUUM, HYDRO BLAST, AND RELATED
CLEANING SERVICES FOR POWER PLANT - CONTRACT RENEWAL
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Power Plant’s two gas-fired, high-pressure steam generation units are referred to as Units
No. 7 and 8. These units require regular professional maintenance and repair. This contract
consists of emergency service, as well as regularly scheduled planned repairs and
services during scheduled outages. The cleaning and special preparation of the boiler
surfaces on these generation units require professional tradecrafts and maintenance experts.
Both units operate under conditions with high heat and high pressure, resulting in slag and
other industrial debris coating the boiler and other plant equipment surfaces. Prior to repair
and maintenance work, it is necessary to have the surfaces professionally cleaned
using high-pressure water jets and industrial vacuum trucks.
In order to clean the surfaces, it is necessary to retain outside contractors equipped
with mobile, high-pressure equipment that is designed to cut through and wash away
the slag. Industrial vacuum trucks that can remove this debris are required for proper
disposal. The goal of this contract is to meet these requirements in the most economical
manner.
On May 23, 2023, Ames City Council awarded a contract to HTH Companies, Inc. of Union,
Mo, for Specialized Wet Dry Vacuum, Hydro Blast, and Related Cleaning Services . 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 third of four additional renewal contract periods.
The City Council should note that the rates charged by HTH Companies, Inc. will
increase by 3% compared to the current rates, as indicated in its original 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.
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4. Saved City staff time obtaining quotes, evaluating bids and preparing specifications and
other procurement documentation.
The FY 2026/27 Power Plant operating budget includes $140,000 for miscellaneous
cleaning services to be performed under this contract. Invoices will be calculated using
the agreed contract rates for time and materials, based on the services actually
provided.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the contract renewal with HTH Companies, Inc., Union, MO, for Specialized
Wet Dry Vacuum, Hydro Blast, and Related Cleaning Services for the one-year period
from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in an amount not-to-exceed $140,000.
2. Reject the renewal option and instruct staff to seek new competitive bids.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This work is necessary to ensure that a qualified professional firm will respond to both
scheduled and emergency needs for these specialized cleaning services, and will also
control costs by having established billing rates. Funds will be expended only as work
is required and in accordance with approved invoices. Therefore, it is the recommendation
of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as stated above.
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