The Public Works Department uses winter traction material on City streets and roads during the winter months as an aid in ice and snow removal.  On average, the Street/Traffic Division will use between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sand for the season.  The Public Works Department advertised for bids in the Billings Times and the City website for two weeks.  Bids were opened for the Winter Traction material on August 12, 2014.  The City received one bid for this material.

The Council may:

• Approve the award for the purchase of the winter traction material: or
• Do not approve the award for the purchase of the winter traction material.  If not awarded the Public Works Department will not be able to place sand for traction control this winter.

The cost for the winter traction material will be funded through the Public Works Department, Street/Traffic Division operations and maintenance accounts.  Bids were received on August 12, 2014. One supplier responded to the request for bid and the bidding result is as follows:

Vendor	Price per Ton
Knife River	Yr 1   $19.95 Yr 2   $20.20 Yr 3   $20.50

As a note, the last year of the three year contract that recently expired had a price of $17.95 per ton.

Staff recommends that Council approve the award for the purchase of winter traction material for $19.95 per ton from Knife River for 1 year with the option of purchasing the winter traction material for years two and three based on mutual agreement of the city and the supplier.