HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence jam. W'✓., BECK AND AssocIATEs
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DESIGN GENERAL OFFICE
RATES - TOWERBUILDING
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ANALYSES
SEATTLE,W4SHINGTON 9B101
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EVALUATIONS 206422-S0
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MANAGE.WIEM'f ...--
EIL.ENO. w1A7-1415-ES1-MA 1979
3024 P:
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Mr. A. Milton Seymour, Manager
Truckee-Donner Public Utility District
Post Office Box 309
Truckee, California. 95734
Dear Milt:
Subject: Contract No. 1 Power Transformers
----- and Circuit Switches
In response to your letter of March 22, 1.979, we have re-
viewed the two proposals received on March 19, 1979 for the power trans-
formers and the circuit switcher. Since only one bid was received for
each bid Item we have reviewed the bids only on the basis of the excep--
tIons taken to determine if the bids were responsive to the specif.i.-
cat_tons.
Bid Schedule A - 'tower Transformers
General Electric. Supply Company, the sole bidder, quoted a
firm price through October 1979, with no print approval and an escala-
tion factor of 0. 75% per month thereafter,. General Electric has also
:included a. cost adjustment for the transformer oi.l based on the differ--
once between the oll cost to General Llectric and 60 cents/gallon.
Technical. exceptions taken by the bidder pertain to the
transformer oil. azzd the paint color in the Interior Of the control
cabinet. It would appear that the district could waive these exceptions.
It is our opinion that oil supplied by the General Electric Company must
comply with acceptable :industry standards which Is the intent of the
Contract Documents. The painting of the Inte.rior of the cabinet is a
preference item and. does not affect performance.
Shipment Is estimated at 27 weeks which places the delivery
outside of the spec.ifi.ed delivery dates of July 1.5 to August 15, 1.979.
The 27 weeks delivery is also contingent on no drawing approvals.
General Electric also took exception to the Contract Document require-
ments that if standard drawings are used, portions which apply to the
equipment shall be endorsed. Under the circumstances it would appear
that the District could waive these exceptions. It would ,appear that the
proposed 27 weeks delivery may still._ provide the D3,.str3-ct with sufficient
time to get the transformer in service for the 1979 - 1980 winter peak
• t�,l
Mr. A. Milton Seymour ---2- March 30, J_979
provided that esser.tiall.y all other werk was completed prior to receipt
of the transformers.
We see your attorney has already commented on the exceptions
taken on the non-technical items. It appears to us that the special
warranty quoted by the bidder essentially conforms to the Contract Docu--
m.ent.s. The special warranty covers the cost of removing, transporting
and reins traIling the c:�qulpment and is an extension of their_ standard
warranty. The exception to the Contract Documents is that the cost of
the removal, reins t:-a.liaLion and transportation is limited to 50% of the
equipment: cost. As we :interpret. the G.E. proposal, delivery is quoted
FOB common. carrier poi.nL nearest destination. You may wish to have your
attorney review these two latter points for clarification.
Assuming that the technical and non-technical exceptions can
be waived by the :Dlstr.i.ct, we recommend that the !District award Bid
Schedule A for four (`f) power transformers to the General Electric
Supply Company in the amount of $1.93,250.00. We further recommend that
the District purchase the spare parts as quoted in the amount of $1,439.
Bid Schedule_D _ Clrcult S•witcher
S & C Electric Company submitted the only bid on the circuit
switcher. The price quoted is firm if shipped within 180 days from date
of order.
Technical exceptions taken by S & C included the item that
pushbuttons will be provided in place of a control -witch and will be
1.)cat.ed externally and conduit and wires for interconnecting the three
shunt trip devices on the switch will not be provided. It will be
necessary for the installation contractor to provide-. the required con-
duit axid wire. It would appear that the District could waive these
exceptions.
S & C also submitted two alternate bids, one bid on a manual
closing shunt trip c__rcuit switches with disconnect and the second bid
on a circuit switcher without disconnect. These switches are not in
compliance. with the specifications and we do not -recommend their appli-
cation to your proposed substation.
S & C took exception to Special Observation and Witness of
Testing. It would appear that this exception could be waived by the
District since this unit Is a standard product of this Company and such
inspections would riot: be required under normal circumstances.
Exceptions .are taken by S & C on Warranty, Indemnity, Lia-
bility and "Conditiori of Sales" which your attorney has already commented
On.
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Mr. A. Ms.y_ton Seymour -2- March 30, .1979
Assuming, that the technical and non-technical exceptions can
be waived by the District we recommend that the District award Bid.
Schedule r. for one. (1) circuit switr_.her to the S & C Electric Company in
the amount: of $25,944.29.
Per the request in the District's letter of March 22, 1979
we are retu.rning herewith the bid documents for the above bid: . (General
Electric cite book. and S & C Electric two books) If you have .any questions
to .regard to the above, please contact us accordingly.
Very truly yours,
R. W. BECK AND ASSOCIATES
Kenneth P. r rriman
Partner
KPM/sjn
eucl.osure: -
4i u, COPIE
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AVIORNLItS A I LAW
907 TAHOE 13(.1111EVARI). SUITF 12
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POSA FF14:-f I)RA%Y,,FR BY
IN( I INF NEVADA W.Y.'i'M
('RWNIEP, March 20, 1979 ARFA CUUF 702
RNIA A(4 A[If N I V1J)A1 ITLF-PHONF.'AM 1174—
MARK PF0'IFrQIJAUFR F1
V Ai JH IRN11, If VAI-A)
Mr. Junies A. MaqF.,,, President
Truckee-Donner PlAblic Utility District
Post Office Box 309
Truckee, Calif'orriiu 95734
R e: Bids Of S & C Electric Company
mid General Electric Supply Company
on Conti-act No. I -- Power Transformers,
Voltage R(-,�gula,tors and Reclosures
Dear Jim:
Pursuarst to the direr' ionof the Board at its meeting of March 19, 1979,
this office has reviewed the bids of S & C Electric Company and General
Electric Supply Company.
& C' Electric (:oryjvfaf
The paragraph nuinbers I-efes, to ti-Knse contained in the March 13, 1.979,
letter from S & C Electric C'Ornpany, beginning on page six.
1. Paragraph 2 states a firm price if shipped within 180 days from date
of order. Since they quote a 1.7 week shipment date, they should guarantee
a firm price.
2. Paragraph 6 sets forth a two-year warranty which is better than the
one--year warranty silt foth in the Contract Documents. However, it is
not BIUCh Of a warranty and would more properly be called a disclaimer.
For example, shouir.] S & C Electric deliver defective equipment which
caused dam89E- to equipment owned by the District, S & C Electric would
not be liable. Also, they claim no responsibility for components contained
irk the Products which are not manufactured by S & C Electric.
3. Paragraph 7 refers to indemnity and insurance. I would think the
indemnity paragraph applies and the others do riot.
4. "Conditions-0-f Sale". The first sentence in this paragraph is totally
inconsistent w tickling"-cjji-ng procedure. Contracts are generally construed
according to the laws of the state where the contract is made. By
requiring "accf-ptaric e" of an "order" in Illinois, the contract will be "made"
in Illinois and governed by the laws of Illinois and not California. It'
GRUMER & PFJ'['ENHAI'ER, L'ra
A'a•TORNEYS AT' LAW
normal bidding procedures were followed, the bid would be accepted in
California and the contract would be construed according to the :Laws of
California.
5. The letter state.; that orders are subject to the "Standard Conditions
of Sale' attached to the letter. Under the Standard Conditions, risk of
~` loss passes to the District once S & ,r Electric has delivered the equipment
to a. common carrier in Illinois. I think they should be responsible for
loss until it is delivered to Truckee as stated in paragraphs 206.08 b and
c of Contract No.. I.
The Standard Conditions provide that the laws of Illinois govern the
construction of tive contract. I would suggest the District require that
the laif,7s of C:elifornia control.
The provisions of the last few paragraphs of the Standard Conditions are
difficult to understand. If equipment is returned because of a defect,
the District will pay .nothing for such equipment.
General E'lect:ri:c Su ly Coin ara
For your rc:f(Terace I will be referring to paragraph numbers contained in
the letter of March 14, 1.979, from General Electric.
I. The "special warranty coverage" mentioned in paragraph 2 is in reality
aai disclaimer of liability and radar to the District. For example, if
General Electric d+:.livers a defective product to the District, the District
must fray all costs of dismantling, transportation to and from Georgia,
and all reinstallation.. Also, they only warrant up to 50% of the purchase
price. The District cannot agree to pay 50% of the purchase price in
the went the product turns out to be so defective that it is worthless
scrap m etal.
2.. Paragraph 3 states the price is .firm through October, 1979. If they
are referring to a shipment (late, perhaps they should guarantee their
shipment estimate of 27 weeks.
3. Paragraph 5 refers to the attached "Standard Terms and Conditions
of Sale". Under "Price Adjustment Policy" it is stated that final billing
will be, adjusted snider the terms of Price Adjustment Clause 6C of the
Handbook. I do not find that clause attached.
Paragraph 5 :states the price includes FOB common carrier point nearest
destination and the Standard Terms provide FOB Rome, Georgia. I think
this should be clar•if.;ed.
The Standard Terms state that risk of loss and title both pass at the
point of shipment. This should be changed to point of destination as
required by paragraphs 206.08 1.) and c of Contract No. 1.
GRUMER & P -0-FENI ALTER, L•t•D,
A 7TORNIF•YS AT LAV'
The Standard Tee-nks further provide that the laws of New York govern.
I fail to see What New York has to do with products manufactured in
Georgia for delivery to California,, and I would suggest that California
law control.
4. .Paragraph 6 tar.kws exception to tt►e warranty and I have made comments
rega.rdiing that subject above.
In cA�nclti;ion, it would appear that both companies are claiming their
equipinent is good while at the lama time refusing to support that clairn.
Very truly yours,
GRUMER & .P1FOI'1NHA.UER, LTD.
By
:i'I FNIEN E. GRUMER
SE:C:,:fn e:a
cc: All Directors
Aa. Milton Seywour
Susan Craig
R. W. Becek and Associates