HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated July 28, 2026ITEM #:19
DATE:07-28-26
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT CABLE & WIRE PURCHASE
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
This contract is for the purchase of cable and wire 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 of both cable and wire . On
June 16, 2026, an RFQ document was posted to Ames Bids, the electronic bidding site. On
June 25, 2026, bids were received as follows:
RESPONDING SUPPLIER
Bid Line 1: CABLE,
ALUM 4/0 TRIPLEX,
220 MIL, 15 KV URD
CABLE
RESPONSE TOTAL
(inclusive of tax)
Bid Line 2: WIRE, 4/0,
1/C, 19 STR,
COVERED COPPER
RESPONSE TOTAL
(inclusive of tax)
Republic Companies of Grimes, IA $54,463.00 $22,020.60
RESCO (Rural Electric Supply
Company) of Elkhart, IA $92,555.00 NO BID
WESCO Distribution of Des
Moines, IA $124,976.00 $18,821.30
MVA Power Inc. of L'Assomption,
QC, Canada $133,750.00 $23,540.00
The City's material specifications for the cable state that the manufacturer must be
Okonite or Kerite. Both Republic Companies and MVA Power submitted a bid for
another manufacturer not listed, and are considered non-responsive.
Both RESCO and WESCO Distribution submitted bids that met specifications and
include an escalation/de-escalation clause tied to the prices of copper and aluminum.
RESCO submitted the lowest unit price for cable with a minimum order quantity of 5,000 ft.
Although the request was for 2,300 ft of cable, the City can take advantage of the lower unit
cost by accepted this bid. This purchase should serve the utility's need for twice as long . Price
adjustment due to metals escalation/de-escalation will be applied at time of shipment.
WESCO Distribution submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid for wire and staff found
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its bid to be acceptable.
Final invoicing will reflect the actual delivered lengths 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.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award the following contracts for the purchase of cable for Electric Services; Payments
will be based on unit prices and quantities ordered, inclusive of all applicable sales
taxes:
a. Award a cable contract to RESCO of Elkhart, IA, in the amount not to exceed
$92,555.
b. Award a wire contract to WESCO of Des Moines, IA, in the amount not to exceed
$18,821.30.
2. Direct staff to award the contracts 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.
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