HomeMy WebLinkAboutA028 - April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:32
DATE:04-28-26
DEPT:W&PC
SUBJECT:WATER TREATMENT PLANT EMERGENCY GENERATOR THREE-YEAR
SERVICE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City operates a Caterpillar emergency generator at the Water Treatment Plant that is
critical to facility reliability. To ensure continued operation, manufacturer-recommended
preventative maintenance and testing is required on a scheduled basis.
The City currently has a three agreement with Ziegler Powers Systems of Ankeny, Iowa for
preventive maintenance services on the Caterpillar engine which expires on June 30, 2036.
Staff has received a proposal for another three-year agreement The new agreement would
cover the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 and includes parts, labor, travel, and
disposal of all fluids. Services will be performed by Caterpillar certified engine and generator
technicians. Specific annual services include multi-point inspections, load bank testing, oil
and coolant analysis, valve and injector adjustments, and battery replacement.
Under the proposed agreement, costs will be fixed at $16,836.27 annually for a total
cost of $50,508.81 over a period of three years. This work is included in the Water Plant
Operations budget as part of a pool of contractual services, with $16,150 earmarked
specifically for the emergency generator.
Ziegler Power Systems has held the City's generator maintenance contract for the life
of the generator, during which time its technicians have been responsive and have
provided an acceptable level of service.
The City has also received confirmation from Caterpillar, the manufacturer of the
generator, confirming that Ziegler Power Systems is the only authorized Caterpillar
dealer and service provider for Story County, Iowa. Due to Caterpillar granting
exclusive service territory rights to Ziegler, and to the specialized nature of Caterpillar
equipment, diagnostics, OEM parts, and warranty considerations, Ziegler Power
Systems is the only practical provider capable of performing these preventative
maintenance services.
For these reasons, staff is utilizing the single-source negotiation provisions of the approved
Purchasing Policies and recommending award to Ziegler Power Systems for preventative
maintenance services for the Water Plant's emergency generator.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the use of the single-source negotiation provisions of the City's Purchasing
Policy and award a three-year contract to Ziegler Power Systems, Ankeny, IA, for annual
generator preventative maintenance services for a three-year term (July 1, 2026 through
June 30, 2029) in the amount of $50,508.81.
2. Do not approve and direct staff to solicit bids for these maintenance services.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Proper functioning of the Water Treatment Plant's emergency generator is essential to
maintaining reliable plant operation. Ziegler Power Systems is the authorized Caterpillar
service provider for Story County, Iowa and has demonstrated acceptable performance on
previous contracts. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as stated above.
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