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Department of Transportation, Maintenance and Operations Division, recommending the Board:
1) Find the purchase of one (1) rotary blower is exempt from competitive bidding in accordance with Procurement Policy C-17 Section 3.4.4, due to the use of Sourcewell competitively-bid Contract 033126-JAL; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign a purchase order to SnoQuip, Inc. in the amount of $866,590 plus applicable delivery, fees, and taxes (estimated at $82,846.53), for a one-time purchase following Board approval.
FUNDING: Transient Occupancy Tax - Measure S (100%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Department of Transportation, Maintenance and Operations Division (Transportation) is requesting authorization to purchase one (1) rotary blower currently budgeted at $975,000 on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fixed Asset list. The rotary blower will be assigned to the South Lake Tahoe Maintenance Yard and will be utilized in the Basin for snow removal purposes.
Transportation suggested during the Citizens' Oversight Committee on October 8, 2025, to replace and include one (1) rotary blower on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fixed Asset List, utilizing Transient Occupancy Tax - Measure S funds. All four committee members present agreed with Transportation's suggestion and stated they would like to see another rotary blower purchased. It is recognized that the purchase of the blower is a replacement for an existing piece of equipment; however, without the use of Measure S funds, the Department would be unable to purchase a replacement. The blower is 49 years old, and upon imminent failure, the County would be forced to reduce the level of service. Therefore, purchasing the blower secures the existing level of service and, upon receipt, will improve the current level of service, as the new blower will provide more reliable, effective, and efficient snow removal.
The County Procurement Policy C-17, Section 3.4.4, describes exceptions that may be made to the competitive bidding process. The purchase of the rotary blower falls under this section, which requires that the item may be procured from a vendor that has a contract with another public agency; that the contract was awarded utilizing a competitive bidding process substantially the same as the County's; and that the item and terms of the transaction are the same, or substantially the same. For the purchase, the Department is able to utilize Sourcewell competitively-bid Contract 033126-JAL with SnoQuip, Inc. of West Sacramento, California.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the purchase of one (1) rotary blower. Staff would then need to evaluate equipment replacement options, lengthening the time old, outdated equipment is utilized.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office, Community Development Finance & Administration, County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund Cost associated with this agenda item. The purchase of one (1) rotary blower is currently included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Fixed Asset budget. The rotary blower is funded by Measure S Transient Occupancy Tax.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation