TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. ITB FS22-026 and award a contract to Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, of Whittier, CA, for the purchase of a Ford F-750 flatbed tow truck car carrier, in a total amount not to exceed $247,373 including taxes and fees; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, to purchase a Ford F-750 flatbed tow truck car carrier for use by the Financial Management Department, Fleet Services Bureau. This truck replaces a current unit that is 15 years old and was approved for procurement in the Fiscal Year 2018 replacement plan. It will take 24 months for this unit to be built as the vehicle is specially outfitted with equipment needed to tow light and medium duty vehicles.
The bid was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on March 7, 2022, and 44 potential bidders specializing in medium-duty transport trucks were notified of the bid opportunity. Of those bidders, six downloaded the bid via the City of Long Beach’s (City) electronic bid system. The bid document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the 6th 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 39 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups. One bid was received on March 29, 2022. The bidder was not a Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), or a Long Beach vendor (Local). Los Angeles Truck Centers (not an MBE, WBE, SBE, or Local), was the lowest responsible bidder.
Local Business Outreach
To align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download bid specifications. Through outreach, one Long Beach vendor was notified to submit a bid, 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 Anita Lakhani on May 25, 2022, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on May 16, 2022, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on May 22, 2022.
SUSTAINABILITY
The new flatbed car carrier tow truck is compliant with the State of California and local district air quality regulations and has an ultra low-emission engine for more efficient combustion of unleaded fuel.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. ITB FS22-026 and award a contract concurrently is requested on June 14, 2022, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract amount will not exceed $247,373, including taxes and fees. The purchase is fully funded through capital replacement charges collected from the Towing Fund Group. Annual maintenance costs and replacement charges totaling $72,700 will be charged to the Towing Fund Group in the Financial Management Department through the regular Fleet Services Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) monthly billing process, commencing when the vehicle is delivered. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with City Council priorities. The award of this contract will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of employment for 27 full-time employees residing in Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KEVIN RIPER
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER