Title
Annual Contract for Herbicides (B)
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Helena Chemical Company for herbicides.
Explanation
The Energy Delivery Department uses herbicides to control vegetation within utility rights-of-way, substations, power plants, and other properties as may be required. The selective use of herbicides complements the Department's manual removal efforts. The program, while aggressive on undesirable vegetation, is sensitive to environmental and wildlife concerns. Vegetation management was awarded the best managed rights-of-way in the United States in FY 97 by Project Habitat, which is endorsed by a number of national wildlife management organizations. Vegetation management was also awarded a "Lines of Distinction Award" in 2000-2001.
An Invitation to Bid for the provision of herbicides was sent by Utilities Purchasing to nine prospective bidders, with four responding. One bid was deemed non-responsive because they did not furnish complete bid pricing information. Helena Chemical Company submitted the lowest, responsive, responsible bid. A copy of the bid tabulation is attached for your reference.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the General Manager or her designee to execute a three-year contract with Helena Chemical Company for herbicides, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 2) approve the issuance of purchase orders in amounts not to exceed $50,000 per year, subject to the final appropriation of funds for each year of the contract.
Fiscal Note
Funds for these purchases have been included in the proposed Operation and Maintenance portion of Energy Delivery's FY 2008 budget and will be requested in subsequent years, subject to the final appropriation of funds for each year of the contract.
Drafter
Prepared by David E. Beaulieu, AGM for Energy Delivery
Submitted by Karen S. Johnson, General Manager