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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...
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