To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Mark Marlowe, Director of Castle Rock Water
Title
Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of a Combination Jet/Vacuum Truck from Vac-Con through Williams Equipment and Supply
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The purpose of this resolution is request Council approval of a Resolution (see Attachment A) approving the purchase of a Combination Jet/Vacuum Truck (Vac-truck) from Vac-Con through Williams Equipment and Supply. This purchase is included in the 2018 approved budget, and the actual purchase will not be made until 2018. The cost for this purchase will be $415,195 and the budgeted amount is $425,000.
Discussion
Castle Rock Water has budgeted for the purchase of an additional Combination Jet/Vacuum Truck (Vac-Truck) in 2018 and the actual purchase will not occur until 2018. The amount budgeted is $425,000 and the recommended equipment will cost approximately $415,200. There are multiple maintenance tasks throughout all of Castle Rock Water’s assets that only can be completed safely by utilizing a high pressure jetting operation (Jet), a high volume vacuum (Vac), or a combination of both. These tasks include: collection system cleaning and maintenance, stormwater infrastructure cleaning and maintenance, distribution system maintenance, hydro excavation, cleaning water tanks, cleaning equalization basins, cleaning treatment plant clear wells and alluvial well rehabilitation. It also assists in emergency response to sanitary sewer overflows, waterline breaks and other unplanned events. All of these activities are currently achieved through the use of Castle Rock Water’s combination Jet/Vac truck. The various Operations’ divisions within CR Water must share this vital piece of equipment and schedule labor appropriately. In order to keep up with the demand for this equipment, a second unit is needed and funding was appropriated in the 2018 budget accordingly.
The Field Services team has field reviewed three comparable units from the top three manufacturers of these trucks. They were: Vactor, Vac-Con and Aquatec. Of these three, the Vac-Con was the clear favorite of the team and is the recommended purchase. Many factors were considered, including safety, durability, convenience, ease of use and familiarity with the unit.
A big factor in arriving at the decision to recommend the Vac-Con brand is that this is the same brand of equipment that we currently own, and the vendor, Williams Equipment, has provided exceptional customer service to the Town for the past decade. Selecting this truck will make the learning curve for the Operators and Fleet Mechanics less than it would be with a completely new truck. Also, during the equipment field testing, this unit simply outperformed the other two.
The Vac-Con brand also features the Omnibus Precision Power System - Joystick Control, which eliminates over 4,000 feet of wiring on the vehicle and allows for quick digital diagnostics on all of the equipment systems. This feature also brings over 20 different control features to one spot, located at the front of the vehicle, including: warning lights, monitor and electronic footage counter, joystick controlled hose reel and boom functions with RPM control on both engines. This option allows for safe and efficient operator control of these vital equipment functions. The Vac-Con is base priced at $409,885, with the $5,310 Omnibus option, for a total purchase cost of $415,195.
The quotes provided by the manufacturers are as follows:
Vendor |
Description |
Cost |
Williams Equipment |
Vac-Con with Tier 4 auxiliary engine and “Omnibus” controls |
$415,195 |
Elite Equipment |
Aquatech with small blower |
$383,099 |
Elite Equipment |
Aquatech with large blower |
$405,497 |
Faris Machinery |
Vactor |
$425,000 |
Copies of the actual quotes are include in Attachment B.
A letter of intent to purchase was provided to the vendor (see Attachment C) to start the ordering process, although there is no obligation to purchase this equipment if this request is not approved by Council.
Budget Impact
The Vac-truck will cost $409,885 plus $5,310 for the Omnibus controls for a total project cost in the amount of $415,195. There is adequate budget in the amount of $425,000 split evenly between the Water Fund, Wastewater Fund and Stormwater Fund for this purchase in 2018. A budget transfer to 221-8100-481.70-40 will accommodate this purchase.
Account |
Description |
Amount |
210-4290-442.91-80 |
Water Fund, Transfers Out - Fleet |
$138,399 |
213-4590-445.91-80 |
Wastewater Fund, Transfers Out - Fleet |
$138,398 |
212-4490-444.91-80 |
Stormwater Fund, Transfer Out - Fleet |
$138,398 |
|
TOTAL |
$415,195 |
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends Council approval to purchase the combination vac-truck in the amount of $415,195.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Quote
Attachment B: Vendor quotes
Attachment C: Letter of Intent to Purchase