Staff seeks authority to advertise on-call services RFP to speed repairs

City staff asked the commission to authorize advertising for on-call service contracts to provide quicker access to contractors for maintenance and emergency repairs.

Leslie Bolt described the plan as establishing a list of prequalified vendors for categories such as plumbing, HVAC, electrical and general construction; the on-call contracts would be for three years with options for two additional one-year renewals. "What this does is it kind of frees up our procurement process, still keeping us in line with the state procurement requirements, but allowing us to kind of gather some on call services that would be beneficial for the city," Bolt said.

Bolt said the approach would not guarantee a minimum volume for vendors but would allow staff to contract faster for work that would otherwise require multiple quotes for projects valued between $20,000 and $60,000. Commissioners asked about using existing on-call agreements for grant projects and confirmed staff would return a resolution to publicize and award multiple vendors by category after the advertisement period.

Staff expects a typical advertisement window of 21–30 days and indicated they would return with a resolution to approve the advertising and subsequent awards if the commission agrees.