Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Albany Utility Board approves multiple equipment purchases and repairs totaling roughly $289,000
Summary
At its Oct. 9 meeting the Albany Utility Board approved a package of fleet and utility equipment purchases and repairs — including fuel dispensers, a soft starter, two pump replacements and a wastewater repair — citing aging infrastructure and vendor familiarity.
The Albany Utility Board on Oct. 9 authorized a series of purchases and repairs for aging fuel and water infrastructure, approving roughly $289,000 in combined contracts to replace or repair pumps and dispensers across city facilities.
Board members unanimously approved a $86,012.72 purchase to replace fuel-dispensing units at multiple city locations, including two high-speed diesel dispensers and two regular-speed diesel dispensers, to be supplied by Barber Equipment of Albany. “This purchase order is requested by fleet for the replacement of the 2 dispensers at Public Works and also for 3 twin dispensers,” a fleet presenter said, noting Barber Equipment’s local service history and the age of existing pumps.
The board also approved a $44,710 purchase of a Benshaw-series soft starter for wastewater blower No. 3 after the city’s maintenance contractor, ESG, recommended the unit. Staff said that model carries an exclusive three-year warranty. For an out-of-service well, the board approved a $46,930 emergency replacement contract with Donald Smith Company of Hedland, Alabama, after a diagnostic pull determined the existing Well 13 pump could not be repaired.
At the wastewater treatment plant the board authorized a $58,683.92 repair with Waco Electric Supply to restore a large pump that staff said would cost about $200,000 to replace. “Replacement cost would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000, so $58,000 is significantly less than replacement cost,” a wastewater staff member said, adding the repair is expected to extend the pump’s life by about four to five years.
Finally, fleet requested approval to acquire a 6-inch Godwin pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions under a Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative contract for $53,276.81; staff said cooperative contracts expedite purchases and often reduce cost.
Board members asked routine questions about warranties, service arrangements and whether emergency or single-source procurement was justified. In several cases staff said the vendor had existing maintenance experience and the work was either time-sensitive (risking service outages) or the best-value option given parts availability. All listed procurement motions passed by roll call at the meeting.
The board’s actions will be forwarded to the city commission where required for final authorization or ratification.
