Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Sole Source Purchase ABI Force Infield Maintenance Machine and Associated Attachments for a Total Cost not to Exceed $59,050.27
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 and approving the sole source purchase of ABI Force Infield Maintenance Machine from California Turf Equipment (Cal Turf).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 for single/sole source purchases; and,
B. Approving the purchase of equipment for the not to exceed amount of $59,050.27 from California Turf Equipment & Supply Inc. (Cal Turf); and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents and the City Buyer to issue the Purchase Order.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1111-Competitive bidding, and Merced Municipal Code Chapter 3.04, Article III - the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services of an estimated value greater than thirty-nine thousand dollars ($39,000.00), the "contract threshold," shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder, and Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 for singe/sole source purchases.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 25/26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
Parks & Community Services maintains several infields year-round to support youth and adult sports. This effort requires several pieces of equipment at once and a level of skill that is not available within the Department’s staffing. City fields are at a point at which they need to be surveyed, tilled, and graded to get back into safe, desirable conditions. To keep fields in such condition they must be routinely drug, aerated, and rolled. The ABI Force machine is the only all-in-one machine that would allow the Department to carry out all the above-mentioned tasks across recreational fields with one machine, saving time and money on various pieces of equipment both with the initial purchase and with the need to interchange parts between routine types of field work.
Sole Source Request for Specialized Equipment
The technology used with this unit offers a level of professionalism hard to find in machinery and allows the department to provide a great user experience while working within the current staffing levels. The ABI Force is a specialty, professional-grade infield renovation and maintenance machine. A review of available alternatives confirmed that other manufacturers offer only single-function drags, tow-behind implements, or utility vehicles that do not meet the City’s operational requirements or performance standards.
The ABI Force is uniquely designed as an all-in-one infield maintenance platform and integrates the following essential capabilities into a single unit:
• Zero-turn chassis providing superior maneuverability around pitcher’s mounds, base paths, and confined infield areas
• Hydraulic mid-mount system engineered to support heavy-duty, professional infield attachments
• Ability to operate multiple attachments from one platform, including ripping teeth, profile blades, finish rakes, and other renovation tools
• Professional infield renovation and routine maintenance performance in a single system, capable of addressing compaction, grading, material redistribution, and surface finishing
No other manufacturer offers a comparable machine with these combined features. As a result, the ABI Force’s design and functionality are considered unique and proprietary. This specific machine is only sold through one vendor in California, California Turf Equipment (Cal Turf).
Conclusion
Because the ABI Force Infield Maintenance Machine is a specialized, proprietary product with no equivalent alternatives, and because Cal Turf is the only authorized distributor in California, this purchase meets the criteria for sole source procurement. Proceeding with this purchase is in the best interest of the Department and will enhance the efficiency, quality, and consistency of infield maintenance operations.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The funding for this purchase is available within Fund 1018-Parks and Community Service, and Division 4020-Facility.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Final ABI Force- SoleSingle Source Request
2. Quote_392638
3. Sole Source Letter ABI