Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for a multitap transformer for Austin Water with PulseMac Solutions d/b/a Star Funding, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $96,500. Funding: $96,500 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Water Operating Budget.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Austin Water.
Fiscal Note
Funding for the total contract amount is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids IFB 2200 MLJ1026REBID for these goods. The solicitation was issued on January 27, 2025, and closed on February 18, 2025. Of the eight (8) offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s website, . This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=142155
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MBE/WBE:
Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
April 16, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract is for a one-time purchase of a transformer unit capable of stepping up low voltages (480V) to higher utility voltages (5kv-15kv) by utilizing existing portable generators to provide planned or emergency power to critical pumping stations. This unit can be used at any location needed, but its primary use will be during bad weather events where loss of power is expected or has occurred.
This is a new contract. The need for this unit was determined in the after-action plan of Winter Storm Mara and provides critical infrastructure resiliency.
If the City is unable to acquire this transformer unit, critical Austin Water pump stations will be at risk of extended power loss.