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Utility Board approves AStar Electric for switchgear, ABB breakers and renews SCADA support plan
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Summary
The Lawrenceburg Utility Board on March 2 approved AStar Electric for gang‑operated air break switches ($45,760), awarded ABB the Walker Station breakers ($137,972.47), adopted revised electric service terms (Resolution No. 1‑2026) and renewed SCADA support at $24,458.
The Lawrenceburg Utility Board on March 2 approved multiple procurement and operational items recommended by staff.
Utility Director Rob Schneider presented four quotes for gang‑operated air break (GOAB) switches: Brownstone Electric Supply ($34,990; 48‑week lead time), AStar Electric Company ($45,760; 26–30 weeks), CECO ($29,974; 11–14 weeks) and Southern States ($48,588; 64–68 weeks). Staff and IMPA engineering input flagged concerns about the lowest bidders' experience and vendor responsibility; Schneider said the recommendation from IMPA and staff was to select AStar Electric at $45,760. "Recommendation we'd like to go with is AStar Electric Company, for $45,760," Schneider told the board.
Board members questioned why the lower bids were not selected. Staff responded that the engineering review recommended disqualifying the lowest bidder for lack of demonstrated responsibility on similar equipment and that lead‑time reliability and equipment familiarity (Royal Switchgear cited for the recommended vendor) were factors in the recommendation. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote.
For Walker Station breakers the board received a single bid from ABB for $137,972.47; staff recommended moving forward with ABB and the board approved that award.
The board also considered and adopted Resolution No. 1‑2026 to revise LMU electric service terms and conditions after staff said the draft had been circulated to board advisers. Finally, the board approved renewal of the electric SCADA support plan with the incumbent vendor at $24,458, noting the package provides software updates, training and 25 support hours; board members discussed whether a forthcoming IT utility position could reduce reliance on vendor support in future years.
All procurement motions and the resolution were approved by voice vote; where only single bids were received, staff noted procurement context and vendor responsibility as the basis for recommendation.
