HomeMy WebLinkAbout190202 Sole Source Justification IRJ Electrical EngineerCity of San Luis Obispo Sole Source Justification Form
IRJ Engineers Inc.
It is the policy of the City of San Luis Obispo to solicit quotations or bids for purchases of commodities or services for
specified dollar amounts and to select vendors on a competitive basis (See City of San Luis Obispo Financial
Management Manual, Section 201, Exhibit 201-B).
Pursuant to San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Chapter 3.24.060, certain acquisitions in which the products or services
may only be obtained from a single source may be purchased without engaging in bidding procedures . Such Sole
Source acquisitions must be justified in sufficient detail to explain the basis for suspending the usual competitive
procurement process and approved by the approving authority before such a purchase is made.
1. What product or service is being requested? Why is it necessary?
The City’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP) solely operates from an existing electrical service that powers
the plant and the pump station that transmits water into the City for distribution. Based on the notice
received from PG&E for Public Safety Power Shutdowns (PSPS), the power can be shutdown as a result
of inclement weather that would pose a threat to power distribution and public safety. The inclement
weather that has been described for this area are high winds and temperatures. In the event of a PSPS,
the electrical purveyor is forecasting for the power shutdowns to last greater than three days. The Water
Treatment Plant currently does not have a stand-by generator for this type of power shutdown, and the
improvements proposed by this efforts allows the electrical engineer to design of plans and specifications
for soliciting construction bids to construct a connection cabinet, and install a rental generator and
transfer switch.
2. Is this “brand” of product or services offered the only one that meets the City’s requirements? If
yes, what is unique about the product/services?
No, but given the expedited schedule we need to prevent an emergency scenario, the electrical
engineering company IRJ can deliver the plans, specifications, and cost estimates per our engineering
standards since they are familiar with the plant.
3. Is the product or service proprietary or is it available from various dealers? Have you verified this?
The professional services are available, but not in a schedule that could afford us the opportunity to
complete the design and construction phases by the end of September.
4. Have other products/vendors been considered? If yes, which products/vendors have been
considered and how did they fail to meet the City’s requirements?
Yes. Cannon is another consultant that has experience with similar electrical engineering services, but not
in the fast track schedule that we have; we would like to use Cannon for third party inspection services
given that they are on our on-call list. IRJ is under contract for the THM project and is already experienced
with the plant’s electrical system, where Cannon would need to start from the beginning and study the
plants electrical as-built plans.
5. Is the purchase an upgrade or addition to an existing system or brand of products adopted citywide?
If so, will purchase of this product avoid other costs as opposed to purchasing another product or
service (e.g., additional training required; data conversion; implementation of a new system; etc.)?
Yes, the concept of having a transfer switch for a stand-by generator is a common practice, and will not
require additional training for staff.
6. Is this a request for services by a contractor with necessary, unique and critical knowledge of
established City systems or programs? If so, will using the contractor’s services avoid other costs
(e.g.: significant staff time in compiling information, data transfers, etc.)?
No construction services, only electrical engineering services.
7. What is the quoted price for the product or services and is it reasonable (based on other products
or services in the same field or based on historical pricing for the City for similar products or
services)?
$17,000.00 on a time and materials basis for design and construction phases of the 2019 Emergency
Power Improvements.
Approved:
______________________________________ _____________________
Dan Clancy, Purchasing Analyst Date