TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. ITB TI 19-070 and award a contract to Stommel, Inc., dba Lehr Auto Electric, of Sacramento, CA, for the purchase of Panasonic Toughbook tablets and accessories, in a total amount not to exceed $213,291, inclusive of taxes and fees. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Stommel Inc., dba Lehr Auto Electric, for the purchase and delivery of Panasonic Toughbook tablets and related accessories to be used in Long Beach Energy Resources Department (LBER) vehicles.
The LBER Engineering and Construction Bureau requires durable computers due to their hazardous work environment. Engineering and Construction Bureau employees will be utilizing the Toughbooks to access procedures and plans while out in the field allowing for reliable access to the Geographic Information System (GIS) and LBER’s Operations Manual. LBER’s Engineering and Construction Bureau require a rugged field device that can be used in a construction environment, outside, and disconnected from the office. These devices will be mounted in a vehicle for mobile operations. They have a screen that is large and bright enough to display GIS and construction drawings critical for the safe operation, maintenance, and emergency management of the gas system. It is a 2-in-1 device that is capable of a laptop or tablet configuration, which will allow field operators the flexibility to use the device out of the vehicle while performing duties as a dismounted tablet. These tablets are replacements for aging laptops.
The bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on January 20, 2019, and 2,709 potential vendors specializing in technology hardware and accessories were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, 30 downloaded the bid via the City’s electronic bid system. The bid document was also made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing <http://www.longbeach.gov/purchasing>. A bid announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 28 local, minority, and women-owned business groups. Eight bids were received on February 14, 2019. Of those eight bidders, three were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), one was a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), one was a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and none were Long Beach businesses (Local). Stommel Inc., dba Lehr Auto Electric, of Sacramento, CA (not a WBE, SBE, MBE, or Local), was the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
In effort to align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download the bid specifications. Through outreach, 185 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which one downloaded and none submitted a bid. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on April 1, 2019, by Purchasing and Business Services Manager Sandy Tsang-Palmer on March 29, 2019, and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on April 4, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt specifications No. ITB TI 19-070 and award the contract concurrently is requested on April 23, 2019, to ensure the new replacement units are in service before any of the current units stop functioning.
FISCAL IMPACT
Expenditures for the purchase and delivery of the Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers and related components will not exceed $213,291. Sufficient funds are appropriated the in the Gas Fund (EF 301) in the Long Beach Energy Resources Department (GO). This recommendation is not expected to require additional staff hours beyond the normal budgeted scope and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
LEA ERIKSEN
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
ROBERT DOWELL
DIRECTOR OF LONG BEACH ENERGY RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER