SR 07-24-2018 3L
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 24, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.L
1 of 2
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Resource Recovery & Recycling
Subject: Reject Bid for the Purchase of Solid Waste Plastic Bins
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Reject all bids for Bid #4275 for the purchase of 2-, 3-, and 4-yard plastic solid
waste containers, and
2. Direct staff to reissue a bid to obtain the best bidder for the purchase of plastic
solid waste containers.
Summary
The City received three bids from Bid #4275 for the purchase of plastic bins used for
solid waste collection for multi-family and commercial customers. Ball, Bounce, & Sports
Inc. dba Hedstrom Environmental was tentatively selected as the best bidder until an
issue with a size discrepancy of its 2-yard bins arose. To set a clearer standard for the
containers the City wishes to purchase, staff recommends that Council reject the bid
and direct staff to issue a new Notice Inviting Bids including the containers’
specifications, measurements, and volumetric capacities.
Discussion
In May 2017, the City published a Notice Inviting Bids for the purchase of two -, three-,
and four-yard plastic bins for reuse, recycling, and food waste collection for multi-family
and commercial customers. The City received three bids, and Ball, Bounce, & Sports
Inc. dba Hedstrom Environmental was tentatively selected as the best bidder due to its
faster delivery timeframe, lower minimum order requirement, and competitive bin
design.
Prior to seeking Council approval to award the purchase order, staff received
information from a community member expressing concern over the capacity of the 2-
2 of 2
yard solid waste plastic bin. The plastic container in question was purchased from Ball,
Bounce, & Sports Inc. The customer claimed he m easured his container, and the bin
held less than two full cubic yards of waste. Resource Recovery and Recycling staff
responded by pulling the bid recommendation staff report prior to the September 12,
2017 Council meeting (Attachment A) and replacing the resident’s plastic container with
a 2-yard metal container. The customer was satisfied, and the incident was resolved.
Staff then proceeded to check with Ball, Boun ce, & Sports, which confirmed the volume
of the 2-yard bin was indeed less than two full cubic yards.
Although there is no industry standard for the acceptable range of volume variance f or
solid waste containers, in an abundance of caution staff recommends rebidding and
providing more concise language in the new bid to ensure the highest level of clarity for
the City’s requirement of the containers’ specifications, measurements, and volumetric
capacities.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Yvonne Yeung, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. September 12, 2017 Staff Report (Pulled) Web Link