Each Winter, the Airport's snow plows remove snow from the runway/taxiway system, aircraft parking areas, FBO ramps, and the surface streets at the Airport.  Two of the 20-foot blades used to plow snow are over 20 years old and need to be replaced due to metal fatigue.  During the past few years, many thousands of dollars have been spent to re-weld, re-fabricate and bolster these plow blades for yet another snow season.  After this past snow season ended, further inspection reflected that in the circumstance of a heavy snow event, where these plow blades may have to push over two feet of snow and slush, the blades could break apart and leave the Airport without a critical piece of snow removal equipment.  These existing blades will be replaced with new blades equipped with quick hitch claws, dual pneumatic casters, rubber deflectors, and hydraulic angling.  Additionally, one blade will have a carbide cutting edge and the other will have a poly cutting edge. This project was advertised in the Billings Times for two weeks, and on September 15, 2009, staff received the following bid for these blades:
                                                        

SUPPLIER	BID
Wausau Everest	$55,974
ESTIMATE	$60,000

The Council may:

• Approve the award of new snow plow blades, or
• Decline to approve the award of the new snow plow blades.

The total cost of the new snow plow blades is $55,974.  The cost of these blades will be funded through the Airport's local capital account.  Since the need for this purchase was not identified until after the budgeting process, the budget for this purchase will need to be established in a first quarter budget amendment.

Staff recommends the City Council approve the award for the purchase of the New Snow Plow Blades to the sole bidder, Wausau Everest, for the amount of $55,974.