MET Transit's current MART Parts Washer is 20+ years old, is used regularly, and has exceeded its useful life.  The replacement of this equipment was approved in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget, with the cost of the replacement to be funded 80% with Federal grant funds and 20% with local match funds.  The current MART Parts Washer has been rebuilt once and replacement parts are now unavailable.  This type of parts cleaning cannot be outsourced.

Staff advertised for sealed bids on August 12 and August 19, 2010.  Bid specifications were delivered to five vendors: Superior Water Solutions, Safety-Kleen Systems, Napa Auto Parts, Stingray, and Hotsy WY-Mont.  Bids were opened on August 24, 2010.

Two bids were received from one vendor, Superior Water Solutions.  Upon review of the bid information, the bids from Superior Water Solutions were found to be non-responsive, as they failed to complete and include all necessary information in the City's bid documents.  No other bids were received.  

The City Council may:

• Reject all bids and allow MET Transit to reissue a new Invitation for Bids that will include a checklist of items that the vendors can use to ensure their bids are responsive; or
• Reject all bids and not allow MET Transit to reissue a new Invitation for Bids. 

MET has budgeted $77,000 for the replacement of this equipment; however, all bids were non-responsive. Staff has subsequently contacted some of the potential vendors to gauge interest and it appears that a rebid will net additional bid interest. To better accommodate any potential bidders, staff will hold a pre-bid meeting to explain what MET is looking for, explain City bid procedures, and to answer any questions.  For this particular Council action there will be no financial impact.

Staff recommends that City Council reject all bids and allow MET Transit to reissue a new Invitation for Bids.