Report Prepared by: Cosmo Ordunez, Public Works Manager-Internal Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase One (1) New Curbtender Quantum 8YD Refuse Truck, and Necessary Attachment Equipment, From Rush Truck Centers, in the Amount of $193,285.72 for the Refuse Department to Replace Vehicle E-1291
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the purchase of one 2027 Curbtender Quantum 8YD Refuse Rear Loader in the amount of $193,285.72 utilizing the cost savings government procurement program (Sourcewell). The purchase of the new vehicle will increase collection efficiency, improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and increase efficiency in daily operations.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code section 3.04.210 and authorizing the purchase to be made with a cooperative purchase agreement through Sourcewell, a government procurement program; and,
B. Approving the purchase of one 2027 Curbtender Quantum 8YD Refuse Rear Loader in the amount of $193,285.72 from Rush Truck Centers, through Sourcewell contract # 032824-RTG; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute any necessary documents for the purchase specified above; and,
D. Authorizing the issuance of the Purchase Order, and approval of change orders not to exceed 10% of the total purchase price.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 - Exemptions from competitive bidding.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 26/27 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
History
Sourcewell offers an equipment/vehicle purchase program to government entities nationwide; specifications are created, and Request for Bids are sought by Sourcewell for a wide variety of equipment used by local governments. As a result of the nationwide scope of these programs, the City is able to purchase specialized equipment for much less than the more traditional method of creating specifications and soliciting bids in-house.
Over the last several years, the City has purchased a variety of equipment including, street sweepers, leaf trucks, fire trucks, refuse trucks, etc. through the Sourcewell government procurement program with great success.
The Public Works Department, Fleet Services Division, is requesting Council authorization to purchase one (1) 2027 Curbtender Quantum 8YD Refuse Rear Loader to replace unit E-1291, a 13-year-old refuse collection vehicle that has reached the end of its useful life. As refuse collection vehicles age, repair costs continue to increase while vehicle availability decreases, creating operational challenges and increasing the likelihood of service interruptions.
Replacing this aging rear loader is essential to supporting the Refuse Division’s primary objective of providing safe, reliable, and efficient solid waste collection services for the residents of the City of Merced. Reliable collection equipment enables crews to consistently complete scheduled routes, minimize downtime, reduce costly emergency repairs, and maintain dependable service levels for the community. Investing in replacement vehicles before catastrophic failures occur also allows Fleet Services to better manage maintenance resources while extending the overall effectiveness of the City’s fleet replacement program.
The replacement vehicle will be the same make and model currently operated by the City, allowing the Fleet Services Division to continue standardizing equipment, minimizing operator training requirements, streamlining maintenance procedures, and reducing the inventory of replacement parts. Additionally, the new refuse truck meets current California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards, providing improved environmental performance, enhanced safety features, and greater operational efficiency compared to the vehicle it is replacing.
The purchase of this vehicle is included in the FY2026/27 adopted Vehicle Replacement Program and supports the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining dependable public services through a proactive fleet replacement strategy.
Section 3.04.210 of the Merced Municipal Code provides that the City Council can approve a waiver of the City’s competitive bidding requirements when such purchases are made pursuant to cooperative purchasing in conjunction with other governmental entities.
Staff requests waiving the bidding requirements in order to standardize equipment and utilize the government pricing contract.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This vehicle was approved in the FY 2026/27 adopted budget in Fund 7006-Vehicle Replacement; no additional appropriations are needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Rush Truck Centers - Quote
2. Rush Truck Centers Sourcewell Contract Documentation
3. Sourcewell Contract Price Information
4. Sourcewell Membership