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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated July 14, 2026ITEM #:29 DATE:07-14-26 DEPT:ELEC SUBJECT:ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT 15KV, EPR CABLE PURCHASE COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: This contract is for the purchase of 15kV, Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) cable necessary to meet the anticipated needs of the City's electric distribution system. This cable is kept on hand in order to ensure availability which will enable staff to quickly make repairs to maintain or restore utility services. Staff issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for an inventory restock based on 30,000 feet of cable, containing one requested product. On June 4, 2026, an RFQ document was posted to Ames Bids, the electronic bidding site. On June 11, 2026, bids were received as follows: RESPONDING SUPPLIER RESPONSE TOTAL (inclusive of tax) LEAD TIME WESCO Distribution of Des Moines, IA $146,376.00 March 2027 Alternate bid by WESCO Distribution of Des Moines, IA $148,302.00 November 2026 Border States of Ames, IA $149,049.93 22 Weeks Kijero LLC of Morgan Hill, CA $192.049.93 18-22 Weeks The City's material specifications indicated 2,500-foot reels. WESCO Distribution submitted a bid for cable on the requested reels plus an alternate bid for the same product on stock 2,750-foot reels. The alternate reel size improved the lead time, but increased the overall cost. In this situation, lead time is not an issue. Therefore, WESCO Distribution's primary bid is the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. WESCO Distribution includes an escalation/de-escalation clause tied to the price of copper at the time of shipment. Alternatively, pricing may be locked in on the date the order is placed. Electric Services has elected to apply pricing at time of order . Pricing includes all currently imposed tariffs. If new tariffs are enacted prior to shipment, applicable tariff costs will be added as a separate line item on the invoice. Final invoicing will reflect the actual delivered length at the quoted unit price. There is no budgeted amount for this purchase. The cable will be placed into inventory, where it will be charged to each specific project as the material is put into service. 1 ALTERNATIVES: 1. Award a contract to WESCO of Des Moines, IA, for the purchase of 15kV, EPR cable for Electric Services in the amount not to exceed $146,376. Payments will be based on unit prices and quantities ordered, inclusive of all applicable sales taxes. 2. Direct staff to award the contract to another bidder. 3. Reject the bids. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: Primary cable is a critical component to provide reliable electric distribution services to the utility customers. Having cable readily available for quick repairs without significant disruption to services is imperative. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above. 2