City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

MEMORANDUM

DATE:	June 01, 2009
TO:	David Corliss
	City Manager
FROM:	Bob Brower
	Utilities Field Operations Manager

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the June 09, 2009 meeting.

ONE (1) EH WACHS TRAILER MOUNTED VALVE EXERCISER/HYDRO-VACUUM MACHINE

History:

Part of the Utilities Department’s efforts in assuring water distribution system reliability was implementation of a valve exercise program. In 2008, the department implemented a 5-Year Valve Exercise Program to exercise 8,225 water distribution valves 14 inches and smaller. The annual target is 1,645 valves. Also an annual program was implemented to exercise 133 system valves that are 16 inches and larger. In order to complete the valve exercising, equipment was needed to open and close the valves, count number of turns and clean debris out of the valve boxes. In 2008, EH Wachs was awarded the bid to purchase a trailer mounted valve exerciser/hydro-vacuum machine. The machine has performed excellently and the software has greatly enhanced system asset information and data. Also, the hydro-vacuum has allowed the department to pothole utilities without excavating an area with a back hoe.

Justification

In the approved 2009 budget, $40,000.00 was budgeted to replace a 20 year old vacuum machine that is installed in a pickup truck bid. A vacuum unit will only dry vacuum and does not have the ability to hydro-vacuum.

For an additional $4,285.00, the department can purchase another Wachs trailer unit that can be used to exercise valves, hydro-vacuum and dry vacuum. Wachs has agreed to sell a new 2009 trailer unit to the city for the same purchase price of the 2008 unit, $44,285.00 which is 15% below their 2009 pricing.

The department would benefit with the purchase of a unit that has multi use abilities rather than purchasing a unit that will just vacuum. In order to maintain equipment uniformity and software compatibility, the department recommends purchasing the EH Wachs trailer unit.

Recommendation Action: 

Sole Source purchase of one (1) EH Wachs trailer mounted valve exerciser/hydro vacuum machine and software for the Utilities Department to EH Wachs Company for $44,285.00.  (Utilities/Distribution System)

cc:	Cynthia Boecker	Mike Lawless	Steve Stewart
	Diane Stoddard	Bobbie Walthall	Alan Landis
	Frank Reeb	Diane Trybom	Jonathan Douglass
	Dave Wagner	Mark Hegeman