This project will retrofit many of the lights in City Hall.  The Park 3 garage received new lighting in 2012 and this project will complete the building and make it eligible for Northwestern Energy's High Efficiency Lighting Design Rebate that staff applied for and was granted for the complete City Hall/Park 3 Facility.  The City can also access USB credits from Northwestern Energy.  The project will convert existing 32 watt T-8 lamps to 25 watt lamps, change older fixtures to T-8 25 watt, and add automatic light controls for occupancy, in compliance with the 2009 IECC (Code).  The payback on this project will be 0 years, because the rebate and USB funds are expected to cover the cost of the project.  The on-going energy savings are significant.

The Council may approve or not approve awarding a Contract for this lighting retrofit project.  Not awarding this Contract will forfeit the $92,000 rebate from Northwestern Energy for the City Hall/Park 3 High Efficiency Lighting Rebate.  Not awarding will also elimate the energy savings that the project will produce.

Bids were opened on May 28, 2013 and four (4) qualified bids were submitted for this project:

I D Corporation          $53,685
Yellowstone Electric   $55,690
ACE Electric                $89,000
Action Electric             $47,170

The project's cost is expected to be covered by a portion of the energy rebate from NorthWestern Energy for City Hall and Park 3 and some funding from the City's USB Credits from NorthWestern Energy. Implementing this project will save an estimated 85,000 kw-hr per year at City Hall.  Again, this payback will be realized immediately as the project cost is covered by rebates and USB funds.  The dollar savings per year are estimated at $8,000 per year  in electric utility savings.

Staff recommends that Council accept the lowest bid and award a contract for $47,170.00 to Action Electric for the City Hall Lighting Retrofit