A10
                             ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                                    Date: February 12, 1996
                                                    File No. Crep048.Cov   

    TO:       Vancouver City Council

    FROM:     General Manager of Engineering Services
              Manager of Purchasing Services

    SUBJECT:  Award of Tender No. 57-95-05 - Supply and Delivery of
              High Performance Fire Hydrants


    RECOMMENDATION

         THAT  Council accept  the bid  from Olympic  Foundry Inc.  for the
         supply and delivery of twenty five high performance fire hydrants,
         with  the additional  modification  and cost  not included  in the
         tender,    at a  total cost  of $286,925,  plus  the 7%  Goods and
         Services  Tax  (less  any   municipal  rebate  received)  and  the
         Provincial Sales  Tax, subject to  a contract satisfactory  to the
         Director of Legal Services:

    COUNCIL POLICY

    The  policy of  council  is to  award  contracts  for the  purchase  of
    equipment, supplies and services that will give the highest value based
    on quality, service and price,  except where an allowance of  a maximum
    of 5% is given to those bidders whose tender reflects local content.

    Contracts with a value over $200,000 are referred to Council for award.


    DISCUSSION

    Tenders for the  above were  opened by  the City  Clerk on  January 15,
    1996, and referred to  the General Manager of Engineering  Services and
    the Manager of Purchasing Services for report.

    The 7% Goods and  Services Tax (less any municipal rebate received) and
    the Provincial  Sales Tax are in  addition to all prices  shown in this
    report.

    Funds  for all purchases in the amount  of $286,925 are provided for in
    the Waterworks Capital and the Central Stores Operating Budgets.
    The  tender called  for the  supply and  delivery of  twenty five  high
    performance  fire hydrants.  These hydrants  will be  installed  in the
    dedicated fire protection system  which provides emergency water supply
    from the  salt water pumping stations in the event of a major emergency
    such as an earthquake. 

    The hydrant requirements are unique in  that they will be under extreme
    pressure  when  operational,  built to  post  seismic  standards,   and
    require larger  hose diameter ports than normal  to be connected to the
    Fire  and Rescue Services dedicated hose wagon trucks. San Francisco is
    the only known city where this type of hydrant has been installed.

    Tender documents   were sent to six firms and the tender was advertised
    in two local newspapers. Only one firm, Olympic Foundry Inc., submitted
    a bid.

    The  hydrant design  offered by  Olympic, at  a total  tender  price of
    $253,250,   is to the same  standard produced for San  Francisco s fire
    protection system, which  due to  their moderate climate,  is not  self

    draining  as  required  in  the  tender. The  offered  design  requires
    modification  as  freezing   temperatures  encountered  in  Vancouver s
    climate would cause  hydrant damage in its present form. City staff and
    Olympic have  resolved this issue with  the inclusion of an  extra shut
    off valve and slide  gate, however, this results in a  total additional
    cost of  $33,675, which was  not included  in the  tender. This  design
    modification and cost is recommended as Olympic is the only bidder  and
    has experience with this type of hydrant design.  

    We are therefore, recommending  the acceptance of the bid  from Olympic
    Foundry  Inc.,  for  the  supply  and  delivery  of  twenty  five  high
    performance fire  hydrants, with  the additional modification  and cost
    included.


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