Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Utilities Instrumentation Services SCADA for Sewage-Lift Station Radio Upgrades ($89,285.00)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested of a Professional Services Agreement with Utilities Instrumentation Services SCADA (UIS SCADA) in the amount of $89,285.00 to provide equipment, programming and installation services that support the upgrade of the Motorola radio system for remote communication and control of sewage-lift stations from the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
Lift stations raise sewage to enable it to flow by gravity to the WWTP. The City operates and maintains eight sewage-lift stations at seven locations, seven in the City and one in Scio Township. The WWTP uses a radio system that provides the ability to control pumps at the lift stations and communicate alarms and data back to the WWTP. Continuous and reliable operation of the lift stations is critical to prevent sanitary sewer overflows to the environment or sewage backups into homes or businesses.
The existing radios were installed over 30 years ago and have steadily become less reliable. In addition, they are obsolete, as Motorola no longer provides replacement parts or support services for them. WWTP staff have relied on used and rebuilt parts obtained from third-party internet vendors for replacing failed components. These parts are becoming much more difficult to find and if a failed component could not be replaced, WWTP staff would be unable to receive alarms or control the lift stations remotely.
Using new Motorola units (ACE3600 RTU) is desirable as they will not require physical modification of the lift stations and are supported by Motorola. Two Motorola ACE3600 RTU’s are currently part of the lift station radio system, one at the WWTP and the other at Scio Township’s station, which they rehabilitated recently. By standardizing on this radio, the City will save costs on the equipment, installation and programming needed for this upgrade.
UIS SCADA is the only Motorola VAR (Value Added Reseller) in the Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana area that sells, programs and services the ACE3600 RTU equipment. For many years, the WWTP has relied on UIS SCADA to respond quickly to requests for emergency repair services for the lift station radio system as well as for the plant’s standby generators and high voltage switchgear equipment. Based on the facts that UIS SCADA is very familiar with the existing radio system, provides prompt and reliable services in response to repair requests and has rates comparable to other similar service providers, WWTP staff recommends UIS SCADA as the best source to accomplish this upgrade.
UIS SCADA has Conflict of Interest, Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Compliance approvals by the City.
You are requested to approve a Professional Services Agreement with UIS SCADA in the amount of $89,285.00 to provide this lift station radio system upgrade. In addition, you are requested to approve a contingency in the amount of $13,500.00 to fund change orders to be approved by the City Administrator.
Funds to finance this contract and contingency are available in the approved FY18 WWTP Operation and Maintenance budget for the Sewage Disposal System.
Staff
Prepared by: Earl J. Kenzie, P.E., Manager, WWTSU
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City operates and maintains eight sewage-lift stations at seven locations, which raise sewage to enable it to flow by gravity to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP);
Whereas, The WWTP uses a radio system that provides the ability to control pumps at the lift stations and communicate alarms and data back to the WWTP;
Whereas, Continuous and reliable operation of the lift stations is critical to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and backups;
Whereas, The lift-station radio system was installed over 30 years ago and requires upgrading because components have become obsolete as Motorola no longer provides replacement parts or support services for them;
Whereas, Using new Motorola units for this upgrade is desirable as they will not require physical modification of the lift stations and are supported by Motorola, which will ensure reliable operation of the City’s lift stations;
Whereas, WWTP staff recommends Utilities Instrumentation Services SCADA (UIS SCADA) as the best source to accomplish this upgrade because they are the only Motorola VAR (Value Added Reseller) in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana area that sells, programs and services the equipment to be used for this upgrade, is very familiar with the existing radio system, provides prompt and reliable services in response to repair requests and has rates comparable to other similar service providers;
Whereas, UIS SCADA has Conflict of Interest, Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Compliance approvals by the City; and
Whereas, Funds for this upgrade are available in the approved FY 18 WWTP Operation and Maintenance Budget of the Sewage Disposal System;
RESOLVED, That Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with UIS SCADA in the amount of $89,285.00 for equipment, programming and installation services that support the upgrade of the Motorola radio system for remote communication and control of sewage lift stations from the WWTP, a contingency in the amount of $13,500.00 to fund change orders to be approved by the City Administrator and that these funds be available until expended without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the funding for this agreement be available until successful completion without regard to fiscal year, and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator or designee be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.