The General Services Department put together a bid packet and requested bids. Five bids were received, but only one met or exceeded all specifications: the Recreonics bid for Thermguard blankets. Evaluation of Bids Recreonics exceeded the specifications. Recreonics was the only vendor to bid on three reels, two doubles, and a triple. Recreonics also has a more robust warranty, including a cover to put over the reels during the off-season to reduce UV degradation. In an email from the sales staff when explaining why they proposed three reels, they said,
"Our reasons for quoting the three 17' reels are that, in our experience, it is more convenient and less strenuous for the customer to use multiple reels. To elaborate, although theoretically, one 17' triple reel may be able to handle 8 - 42' panels, we have found through the years that it is inconvenient to "double up" this quantity of panels on one reel. Having to do so makes the staff responsible for this task less diligent about completing it. Additionally, the strain of maneuvering a loaded-up 17' triple (covers and reels together would weigh approximately 1400 lbs. dry) around the pool deck makes them even less enthusiastic about this task. Greater still, the increased weight of spooling all panels onto one reel puts staff at a greater risk of personal injury and workers comp claims. Although more expensive up front, our experience is that splitting the load of panels onto multiple reels is less strenuous and more convenient, ensuring that the panels are installed on the pool at all necessary times, saving the most money possible."
Progressive Commercial Aquatics, Technology International, and Marina Pool, Spa, Patio, Option A—all bid Spectrum Thermal Blankets. These did not meet the specifications. The Spectrum blankets are thinner, have less tensile strength and R-value, have a high-density polyethylene coating only on ONE side, and have stainless steel grommets—all out of specification. They also come with hand-crank reels instead of wheels, as specified. Marina Pool, Spa, and Patio also bid SR Smith blankets, which have less burst strength, less thickness, and are low-density polyethylene. The reel system is also hand-cranked.
COMP THERMAL BLANKET BID CHART
COMPANY |
BID AMOUNT |
# OF REELS |
BRAND OF MATS |
WARRANTY |
TURNING MECHANISM |
Recreonics |
$60,848.89 |
3 |
THERM GUARD |
100% years 1-4 years 4-5 decreasing TO 50% |
Wheel |
Progressive Commercial Aquatics |
$56,907.16 |
2 |
SPECTRUM |
years1-3 100% 4th year is 40% yr 5 30% |
Handcrank |
Technology International |
$55,400.00 |
2 |
SPECTRUM |
years1-3 100% 4th year is 40% yr 5 30% |
Handcrank |
Marina Pool Spa Patio |
|
|
|
|
Handcrank |
Option A |
$41,636.60 |
2 |
SPECTRUM |
years1-3 100% 4th year is 40% yr 5 30% |
Handcrank |
Option B |
$54,148.21 |
2 |
SR SMITH |
100$ years 1-3 year 4 is 20% year 5 10% |
Handcrank |
While Recreonics' bid is the most expensive, it is the only bid that meets and exceeds the specifications outlined in the bid documents. The warranty reinforces that the Therm Guard (Recreonics) product is superior, as it maintains a 100% warranty for four years and a 50% warranty in year five. All other products only warrant 100% in the first three years and decrease further in years four and five. |