Report Prepared by: Cosmo Orduñez, Public Works Manager-Internal Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase One (1) New Schwarze A9 Monsoon Street Sweeper Mounted on a 2026 Freightliner M2 Plus Chassis from Schwarze Industries, Inc., in the Amount of $499,926.05 to Replace Aging Street Sweeping Equipment
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the purchase of one (1) 2026 Schwarze A9 Monsoon Street Sweeper mounted on a Freightliner M2 Plus dual steer chassis in the amount of $499,926.05, utilizing the cost-saving government procurement program Sourcewell. The purchase of the new street sweeper will replace aging equipment (vehicle E-1477), improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and increase efficiency in street sweeping operations throughout the City.
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) 2026 Schwarze A9 Monsoon Street Sweeper mounted on a Freightliner M2 Plus dual steer chassis in the amount of $499,926.05 from Schwarze Industries, Inc., through Sourcewell Contract No. 062425-SWZ; 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, and refuse trucks, through the Sourcewell government procurement program with great success.
Buying these vehicles directly through this outside program requires waiving the City’s competitive bid requirements. In addition to cost savings, purchasing directly from Sourcewell allows the City to standardize equipment, which is a desire of the Fleet Services Division. With standardized equipment, Fleet Services will be able to reduce parts inventory and ensure that vehicle controls, handling, and maneuvering are consistent across vehicles currently used by City employees. The vehicle requested will be the same make and model as other City equipment.
The Public Works Department is requesting authorization to purchase one (1) replacement street sweeper utilizing the nationwide government procurement service Sourcewell through Schwarze Industries, Inc. Replacing aging street sweeping equipment is essential to maintaining reliable service levels, minimizing downtime associated with repairs, reducing maintenance expenditures, improving operator safety, and supporting the City’s efforts to maintain clean streets and comply with stormwater quality requirements.
The listed vehicle to be purchased is budgeted in the FY 26/27 vehicle replacement adopted budget, replacing vehicle E-1477. The vehicle requested for purchase in this report will meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Tier IV final clean air vehicle pollution rating.
Municipal Maintenance Equipment, Inc., will serve as the local dealer providing pre-delivery inspection, operator training, warranty support, and ongoing service support for the equipment.
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 utilize the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract pricing and standardize fleet equipment.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This vehicle was approved in the FY 2026/27 adopted budget in Fund 7006-Vehicle Replacement, project #VR276045 in the amount of $500,000. No additional appropriation is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Schwarze / Municipal Maintenance Equipment Pricing Sheet
2. Schwarze Sourcewell Contract Documentation
3. Sourcewell Membership Documentation