Public Works committee switches generator contract to Capital after vendor price and lead-time changes

The Public Works committee voted unanimously Wednesday to award the county generator purchase and installation contract to Capital after a supplier increased its price and lead time, pushing the Bransford bid above the budgeted amount.

Committee members said the award matters because the county must lock in a vendor quickly to avoid further price increases and longer delays.

Committee member Alan Carmen moved to accept Capital’s proposal for the generator after hearing from vendors and staff about an unexpected price increase from the previously selected bidder. Committee discussion centered on a roughly $12,500 increase Bransford said it had to add after the county issued a purchase order, and on longer equipment lead times from multiple suppliers.

Cliff (Public works staff) described the change in the Bransford quote and the impact on the project budget: “The budget amendment that was passed was for 80,000. So we are well, we’re 12,000 short,” he said. Committee members discussed the possibility of shifting funds within the public works budget or asking the full commission for ARPA or other supplemental funds if needed.

Mister Bransford, the vendor representative, told the committee that the original shorter delivery schedule had lengthened: “I think it was 10 weeks delivery is what was on the first order, and now they went to, like, 22 weeks.” Bransford also said his supplier was estimating a roughly $12,500 increase over the earlier quote and that tariffs and other market factors made future changes possible.

Committee members compared quotes on the record. Cliff said Capital’s all-Missouri Taylor-generator option eliminated tariff exposure and listed an installation proposal at about $84,000 in the meeting packet, versus Bransford’s adjusted total of about $92,442 (the Bransford total included the additional $12,500 the vendor described). Committee members also discussed vendor proposals’ scopes, noting differences such as demolition and an additional external connection cabinet that had not been included in some bids.

After brief public questions and vendor clarifications, committee member Alan Carmen moved to award the work to Capital. The motion passed unanimously.

Committee members instructed staff to notify stakeholders and proceed with the procurement steps needed to finalize the contract.

Votes at a glance: the committee unanimously approved moving forward with Capital’s proposal for the generator installation; the motion was made by Committee member Alan Carmen and passed without recorded opposition.