Report Prepared by: Cosmo Orduñez, Public Works Manager-Internal Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase One (1) Altec AT40-G Articulating/Telescoping Aerial Truck, and Necessary Attachment Equipment, from Altec Industries, Inc., in the Amount of $262,081.90 as a Replacement Unit for the Street Division’s Street Light Division
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the purchase of one (1) Altec AT40-G Articulating/Telescoping Aerial Truck in the amount of $262,081.90 utilizing the cost savings government procurement program (Sourcewell). This purchase was included in the FY 26/27 adopted budget as a vehicle replacement for the Street Division, replacing vehicle E-1417.
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 (1) Altec AT40-G Articulating/Telescoping Aerial Truck, in the amount of $262,081.90, from Altec Industries, Inc., through Sourcewell Altec Industries, Inc. Contract # 110421-ALT; 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 26/27Adopted 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 not provided by local vendors 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 authorize the purchase of one currently budgeted fleet vehicle utilizing the nationwide government procurement service Sourcewell via Altec Industries, Inc. This specialty vehicle is designed to safely access elevated infrastructure throughout the City, and will support the Street Light Division during installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of streetlights, overhead electrical equipment, traffic-related infrastructure, and other facilities requiring elevated access.
Replacing aging aerial equipment provides significant operational and safety benefits to the City. Older vehicles experience increased maintenance costs, reduced reliability, longer downtime for repairs, and greater difficulty obtaining replacement parts. Equipment failures delay critical repairs to street lighting infrastructure and negatively impact service levels to residents. The new aerial truck will improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs, enhance employee safety through updated equipment and safety features, and increase operational efficiency by providing staff with a modern vehicle designed specifically for municipal aerial work.
The listed vehicle to be purchased is budgeted in the FY 26/27 adopted budget as a vehicle replacement to replace vehicle E-1417. The vehicle requested for purchase in this report will meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission requirements, supporting the City’s efforts to maintain a cleaner and more sustainable fleet.
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
The vehicle was approved in the FY 26/27 adopted budget in Fund 7006-Fleet Replacement project VR276015 in the amount of $330,000. No additional appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENT
1. Altec Industrial, Inc., Quote
2. Altec Industrial, Inc., Sourcewell Contract Information
3. Sourcewell Documentation