Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for vegetation management services on energized transmission lines for Austin Energy with Wright Tree Service, Inc., for an initial term of two years with up to four one-year extension options, for a total contract amount not to exceed $42,000,000. Funding: $5,250,000 is available in Austin Energy’s Operating Budget. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Austin Energy.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $5,250,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Energy.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 1100 SMB3026 for these services. The solicitation was issued on July 29, 2024, and closed on August 22, 2024. Of the six offers received, the recommended contractors submitted the best evaluated responsive offers. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers 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=140989.
MBE/WBE:
This contract will be awarded in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) with 0.35% combined MBE/WBE participation.
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:
January 13, 2025 - Recommended by the Electric Utility Commission on a 10-0 vote with Commissioner Reed absent.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide vegetation management services on energized transmission lines for Austin Energy. The contractor will perform services on an as needed basis for capital improvement projects; circuit, grid, and substation facilities; individual customer requests; trouble work or storm restoration events; and vegetation suppression. This work is highly specialized, and the contractor will be required to follow standard processes which include notice of work and herbicide use and follow strict safety protocols. The contractor will also work in partnership with the Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division to reduce the risk of wildfires.
An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored Wright Tree Service, Inc. as the best to provide these services based on Program, Experience, Staffing Plan, Price, and Small Business Preference.
The recommended contractor is not the current provider of these services.