HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-27-2006-5rORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: .June 27, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No....~' - ('
SUBJECT: Bid Award: Emergency Generators
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Emergency PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
Management
ATTACHMENT(S):
Bid Tabulation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pam Jones, (919) 245-2652
Jack Ball, (919) 968-2050
PURPOSE: To award a bid to Tarheel Generator of Siler City, North Carolina for one (1) 200
kW diesel powered generator for standby power for the Orange County EMS-911 Center at
1914 New Hope Church Road, Chapel Hill and for one (1) 50 kW diesel powered generator for
standby power for the Eno Mountain Communication Tower.
BACKGROUND: At the April 10, 2006 regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners adopted
a grant project ordinance appropriating $92,986 in federal and State grant funding for the
acquisition and installation of replacement emergency generators at the County's Emergency
Management and 9-1-1 Center on New Hope Church Road, and at the Eno Mountain Tower
site. No County funds are involved in this project, and staff recommend that the Board award
bids far these two generators as outlined below.
Currently, the EMS-91 1 Center is connected to a 50 KW diesel generator that has been in
service for more than twelve years. This generator is only able to power roughly half of facility in
the event of power outages. Although the communications consoles and other critical
equipment are connected to this generator, staff recommend that the entire building be capable
of operation in the event of power failures.
The second generator that would be purchased under this award would replace the more than
20-year old 37 KW generator that supplies back up power to the Eno Mountain Communications
building. Both the capacity of the existing generator to serve the equipment at the site and the
extreme unreliability of the automatic transfer switch are drivers that prompt the replacement
request.
After an evaluation of current and potential peak demand by the County's electrician, in
conjunction with the electrical inspector from the Planning Department, it was determined that
(1) 200 kW diesel powered generator would be the best solution for Orange County EMS-911
Center; and a 50 kW diesel powered generator would best serve the Eno Mountain
Communication Tower. Bath of the subject facilities are served by single-phase, rather than
three-phase power, thereby necessitating greater generator capacity. This sizing will allow the
generators to operate more efficiently since their capacity is not at maximum loads and will
provide for additional future load in the existing facilities. As an example, the generator to be
installed on Eno Mountain will serve additional equipment that will inevitably be installed over
time. While the Administrative Division of Emergency Management will relocate within the next
few months to the newly acquired building in the Meadowlands, in order to maintain flexibility of
use of the building by a large number of people, particularly during disaster response, the
original generator sizing has been maintained.
Solar power generators were considered, but that option was denied by the State during the
grant solicitation process due to cast and feasibility considerations,
Eleven potential bidders received copies of the bid package. Bids were received from five firms,
with Tarheel Generator of Siler City, North Carolina submitting the lowest responsible bid that
was responsive at cost of $61,553.20 and $29,195,31 far the 911 Center and Eno Tower site
respectively.. The total cost for both projects is $90,748.51, and, in addition to the generator, the
bid includes an automatic transfer switch and all necessary labor to successfully install the
equipment, The generator at the 911 Center will be installed with no disruption of services,
Delivery, and installation will occur within 14-16 weeks.
Staff will assess the condition of the current equipment for possible re-assignment, Current staff
thinking is that the existing generator from New Hope Church Road would be redeployed to the
recently acquired County building at 510 Meadowlands Drive, and that the existing Eno
Mountain generator will be evaluated far potential use as atrailer-mounted mobile emergency
power resource.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted
approval far these two generators and authorized funding through a special allocation of hazard
mitigation funds. The specific allocation for this project is provided through the Hurricane Isabel
mitigation grant allocation, The total grant award for this project is $92,986. The bid award
contemplated by this action is $90,748.51, 75% of which would be paid through FEMA funds,
25% of which would be paid through NCDEM funds, The remaining balance of the grant would
be allocated far overhead.
As noted above, the Board has already approved a Hazard Mitigation Generator Project grant
project ordinance to account far the receipt of these funds; therefore, no further budget action is
required of the BOCC.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board award a bid to Tarheel
Generator of Siler City, North Carolina for a total of $90,748.51; and authorize the Purchasing
Director to execute the necessary paperwork.
BID TABULATION
BID # 259
BID FOR: STANDBY GENERATORS BID AWARDED TO:
CLOSING DATE: 6-7-06 BID PRICE:
CLOSING TIME: 11:00 AM BUDGETED AMOUNT:
200K DIESEL
GENERATOR 50K DIESEL
INSTALLED W/ GENERATOR
AUTO INSTALLED W/ TOTAL BID,
TRANSFER AUTO TRANSFER BOTH
VENDOR LOCATION SWITCH SWITCH GENERATORS
TAR HEEL Siler Cit , NC $61,553.20 $29,195.31 $90,748.51
BRYANT DURHAM Durham, NC $79,399.00 $44,941.00 $124,340.00
CUMMINS Greensboro, NC $77,300.00 $45,400.00 $122,700.00
Hillsborough,
E & W ELECTRICAL NC $95,487.10 $36,060.40 $131,547.50
NIXON POWER Charlotte NC $104,259.00 $37,677.00 $141,936.00