Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Purchase Inclusive Playground Equipment from Park Planet for General Vang Pao Park, for a Total Cost not to Exceed $244,627.93, Using Safe Play Initiative Grant Funding from First 5 Merced County
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 and approving the purchase of Accessible Playground Equipment to be installed at a later date at General Vang Pao Park, Aletha June Playground.
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 source purchases; and,
B. Approving the purchase of playground equipment for the not to exceed amount of $244,627.93 from Park Planet; 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 source purchases
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 25/26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Parks & Community Services Department was awarded Safe Play Initiative Grant funding from First 5 Merced County to add new, all-inclusive themed playgrounds in Merced. The two park sites identified were Community Park 42- Merced’s Regional Sports Complex, and Aletha June Playground at General Vang Pao Park.
The design of General Vang Pao Park was awarded to Melton Design Group in December 2024 with phase 1 prioritizing the design of Aletha June Playground. The Playground area design was recently finalized by Melton Design Group, however Safe Play grant funding for playground equipment must be spent by September 30, 2025.
In order to standardize the playground equipment within City Parks and work within the deliverable timeline of the grant, staff requested quotes from three playground manufacturers who have been awarded bids for playground equipment in the last five years by the City of Merced. Those manufactures included GameTime MRC, Miracle Play Systems, and Park Planet. The City received quotes for equipment from all three manufacturers. Park Planet was able to provide the most inclusive playground equipment for the lowest cost. As such, staff is requesting waiving the bidding requirements and authorizing a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $244,627.93 in order to standardize equipment and to utilize the Safe Play Initiative Grant funds by the September 30, 2025, deadline.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
CP240049 General Vang Pao Park was created as a Capital Improvement Project and has sufficient funding.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Playground Design for Aletha June Playground at General Vang Pao Park
2. Single Source Form
3. Quotes for General Vang Pao Park Playground