March 23, 2004
SUBJECT: Award of Contract for the Purchase of Equipment to Upgrade the City's Roadway Median and Island Irrigation System (#F0302-51)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested for the award of a contract to United Green Tech, Inc., of Pacheco for the purchase of equipment to upgrade the City's roadway median and island irrigation system for the Department of Public Works Street Landscaping Division.
BACKGROUND
The Street Landscape Division currently utilizes a Rain Master "Evolution" Series satellite-controlled irrigation system for roadway median and island irrigation. The system consists of a central control unit at the Corporation Yard and sprinkler controllers at various intersections throughout the City. This technology allows detailed irrigation commands to be transmitted via satellite directly to the controllers and sprinkler heads at each roadway median or island.
Before this irrigation system was installed, Street Landscape staff had to drive to each location to make manual adjustments of equipment located in the center of busy City streets. In addition to reducing staff time for manual adjustments and eliminating traffic risks, water waste has been reduced because the system has weather-sensing circuitry which makes it possible for real time adjustments of the sprinkling cycle.
DISCUSSION
The existing equipment was installed in 1989-1990; and the controller units, exposed to the elements for fourteen years, are starting to fail. In addition, upgraded weather-sensing circuit boards are now available which will allow a more efficient use of irrigation water.
The requested equipment replaces six complete controller units and 200 feet of shielded weather sensor cabling and includes ten new stainless steel enclosures.
Section 2.08.070(b) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code exempts from competitive bidding proprietary products available only from a single source. The "Evolution" Series technology is patented by Rain Master; and the only distributor for Rain Master products on the West Coast is United Green Tech, Inc.
The requested equipment will be installed by City staff.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total cost of the equipment, including sales tax, will be $79,768. Funds are available in Infrastructure Project #820140 - Computer/Radio Controlled Landscape Irrigation.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council award a contract, in substantially the same form as the attached Purchase Order and in an amount not to exceed $79,768, to United Green Tech, Inc., for equipment to upgrade the existing Rain Master "Evolution" Series satellite-controlled irrigation system.
Prepared by:
Elaine Wesely
Purchasing Officer
Reviewed by:
Mary J. Bradley
Director, Finance
Reviewed by:
Marvin Rose
Director, Public Works
Approved by:
Amy Chan
Interim City Manager
Attachments
A. Draft Purchase Order No. DP001518 (pdf format)