HomeMy WebLinkAboutDonohue - Bid eval and letter of recommendation 24-033DDONOHUE
June 16, 2025
Donohue & Associates, Inc.
3311 Weeden Creek Road I Sheboygan, WI 53081
920.208.0296 1 donohue-associates.com
"CEIVED
JUN 18 2025
City of Oshkosh DEF7'OFPUBLIC WORKS
215 Church Street OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Re: Bid Evaluation and Letter of Recommendation
Wastewater Treatment Plant Tertiary Treatment Electrical Service Equipment Procurement
Donohue Project No. 14556 / City Contract 24-03
Dear Mr. Rabe:
Pursuant to the Official Notice to Bidders, bids for the above -referenced Project were received via Quest
CDN on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. and then publicly opened and read aloud. We have reviewed
all the Bids received for the Work and have enclosed a copy of the Bid Tabulation and the low bid for
your information and reference.
Paragraph 18.07 of the Instructions to Bidders provides that the Contract should be awarded to the
Bidder whose submission best serves the Buyer's interests. Although minor irregularities exist, this
procurement process was somewhat atypical, as equipment suppliers submitted bids directly through
Quest rather than through a general contractor. The recommended Bidder recognized the potential for
confusion, addressed it effectively, and demonstrated a clear and thorough understanding of the project
scope.
Transformers
The low bid was submitted by Tech Electric for Eaton/Cooper transformers in the amount of $412,200.
The Tech Electric Eaton/Cooper lead time is 114 weeks after their submittal is approved, causing the
equipment to arrive after the required July 16, 2027 delivery date. The second low bid was submitted by
NEXT Electric for Eaton/Cooper transformers in the amount of $469,428. The NEXT Electric
Eaton/Cooper lead time is 114 weeks after their submittal is approved, causing the equipment to arrive
after the required July 16, 2027 delivery date. The third low bid was submitted Tech Electric for Van Tran
transformers in the amount of $487,800. The Van Tran lead time is 30 weeks, which satisfies the
required July 16, 2027 delivery date. Donohue recommends purchasing the Van Tran transformers in
accordance with the Tech Electric bid.
Switcheear
The low bid was submitted by T&D Products for Avail — Power Grid Solutions switchgear in the amount
of $219,920. The second low bid was submitted by Tech Electric for S&C switchgear in the amount of
$296,930. The T&D bid included clarifications are listed below.
1. The switchgear is Canadian Standards Association (CSA) listed, not Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) listed. Donohue discussed CSA listing with the Department of Safety and Professional
Services (DSPS). DSPS defers to OSHA for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL);
OSHA recognizes CSA as a NRTL meaning DSPS allows CSA certification.
2. 120/240 volt control power for the switchgear is necessary.
3. 125 volt DC control power for the switchgear is necessary.
4. Protective relaying testing and setting adjustment is required to be completed by a third party.
Mr. James Rabe
Page 2 1 June 16, 2025
To address clarifications 2, 3, and 4 from T&D Products, additional equipment will be required, which
will increase the installation cost. Additionally, the proposed switchgear will rely on third -party
microprocessor -based relays for proper functionality. In the engineer's opinion, incorporating these
items will add approximately $25,000 to the switchgear installation cost.
Per Instruction to Bidders, Paragraph 18.07, the Buyer may select any bid deemed in its best interest,
considering both cost and non -economic factors submitted. Furthermore, Section 26 13 00, Paragraph
1.03.A, specifies that manufacturers must have experience producing switchgear similar to that required
for this Project, with a demonstrated record of successful in-service performance. The equipment
manufacturer in the T&D Products bid (Avail) failed to provide evidence of a comparable installation.
The second low bid, which was submitted by Tech Electric, includes S&C switchgear that derives control
power within the switchgear and utilizes single phase protection with devices manufactured by S&C.
S&C has numerous medium voltage (15 and 24.9 kilovolt) installations at water and wastewater facilities
in Wisconsin, many within the WPS and W.E. Energies territories. Some of those installations are listed
below.
A. Milwaukee MSD, Jones Island WRF, 15 kV, W.E. Energies
B. Milwaukee MSD, South Shore WRF, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
C. Brookfield WWTP, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
D. Sheboygan WTP, 15 kV
E. La Crosse WWTP, 15 kV
F. Kenosha WTP, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
G. Kenosha WWTP, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
H. North Shore Water Commission, 34.5 kV, W.E. Energies
I. Milwaukee Water Works, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
J. Fort Atkinson WWTP, 24.9 kV
K. Oak Creek WTP, W.E. Energies
L. Waukesha WWTP, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
M. Racine WTP, 24.9 kV, W.E. Energies
S&C offered a $23,000 deduct related to the type of voltage sensors used within the switchgear.
Donohue has confirmed that WPS would accept the proposed sensors. Factoring in the added $25,000
for Avail switchgear installation and the $23,000 deduct for the S&C switchgear voltage sensors, the
difference in price of $77,000 becomes $29,010.
�M�nufacturer ON
Bich Pace,
MINSIR RMIUM,
Lost Award AillstnntAd]usted
NOW
Prrce„
Avail failed to provide evidence that they comply with Section 2613 00, Paragraph 1.03.A and,
therefore, failed to confirm compliance with the specifications. Given [1] the failure of Avail to
demonstrate specification compliance, [2] the simplicity of the S&C switchgear, [3] the numerous S&C
installations at nearby water/wastewater facilities, and [4] previous S&C acceptance from the electric
utility (WPS; parent company W.E. Energies), Donohue recommends purchasing S&C switchgear in
accordance with the Tech Electric bid.
Mr. James Rabe
Page 3 1 June 16, 2025
Recommendation
Donohue recommends purchasing Van Tran transformers and S&C switchgear, both from Tech Electric,
with a total price of $784,730 and pursue the S&C switchgear deduct after award.
We are presenting this evaluation for your review and consideration.
Sincerely,
Div
Al Howe
Project Manager
Enclosures: Bid Tabulation
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