Item 6-L

City Council Meeting: 02-23-99 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation to Award Bid to Furnish and Deliver Three Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Cab and Chassis with 35 Foot Aerial Devices, Bid #2727

Introduction

This report recommends award of bid to furnish and deliver three CNG Cab and Chassis with 35 Foot Aerial Devices: two for the Facilities Management Division, Environmental and Public Works Management Department ($138,050.06), and one for the Traffic Operations Division, Planning and Community Development Department ($69,025.03). The total is $207,075.09.

Background

The three trucks with aerial lifts will replace two Ford trucks (1985, 1986) and a 1984 Dodge truck as part of the Vehicle Replacement Program and will be used for various maintenance jobs throughout the City.

In response to published Notices Inviting Bids (published October 22 and 23, 1998) in accordance with City specifications, bids were received and publicly opened and read on November 10, 1998. Proposal forms were mailed to six vendors and notices were advertised in accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code provisions. Three proposals were received as follows:

The purchase of a gasoline powered vehicle is consistent with the City's reduced emission fuel policy. There is no California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved conversion kit available for this vehicle at this time and there is no estimate of when a CARB approved conversion kit will be available to convert the vehicle to compressed natural gas.

The bid submitted by Hydro Gruber is non-responsive. There were several unacceptable exceptions to City bid specifications. One major requirement was a minimum 350 lb. platform capacity throughout the range of boom (arm) fully extended for safety of the operator. They bid a 300 lb. platform capacity. Further, the aerial lift is mounted on a Ford cab and chassis. Ford Motor Company does business in Burma.

Staff has evaluated the bid submitted by Altec Industries and finds that it meets City specifications and Council adopted reduced emission fuel policy. Further, the aerial lift is mounted on a Chevrolet cab and chassis. Chevrolet does not do business in Burma.

Budget/Financial Impact

Fiscal Year 1998-99 appropriation authority for this purchase is in the Capital Improvement account number 54-710-461-20098-8900-99167, "Fleet Vehicle Replace-ment Program."

Recommendation

It is recommended that Council reject the bid submitted by Hydro Grubber and award Bid #2727 to Altec Industries Inc. in the total amount of $207,075.09, including applicable sales tax, as the most responsible bidder.

Prepared By: Pam Wortham, Purchasing Agent

Margarita Lee, Buyer

Ralph Merced, Fleet Maintenance Superintendent