Title
Trade-in and Purchase of Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of a Gas Chromatograph Spectrometer by the sole source exemption,
B. Adopt a resolution authorizing the exchange of a used Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer between the City of Charlotte and Agilent Technologies,
C. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Agilent Technologies for the purchase of a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer for the term of one year, and
D. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Johnny Jennings, Police
Jacquelyn Bryley, Police
Matthew Mathis, Police
Sole Source Exemption
§ NC General Statute Section 143-129(e)(6) provides that formal bidding requirements do not apply when:
- Performance or price competition are not available;
- A needed product is available from only one source or supply; or
- Standardization or compatibility is the overriding consideration.
§ Sole sourcing is necessary for this contract because the requested equipment is essential in maintaining standardization.
§ City Council approval is required for any purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) instrument is an essential technology to analyze evidence for the presence of difficult-to-detect compounds. The equipment would be supplied by the same manufacturer as other instruments already validated and in use in the Chemistry Section of the Crime Laboratory.
§ Parts for the existing GCMS instruments are interchangeable with the new equipment. Purchasing this instrument from another vendor would require a second inventory of parts at a significant cost and an extensive validation of the new equipment and supplies.
§ The end of life GCMS will be traded in towards the purchase of a new GCMS, reducing the purchase price of the new instrument by $57,174.35.
§ Public Notice of the exchange was published on the city’s website on November 21, 2023.
§ The total cost of the new GCMS is estimated at $156,969. With the exchange, the first-year expenditure is estimated to be $102,795, with annual expenditures in the years following estimated at $15,000 for maintenance and repair needs.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This is a sole source contract and is exempt from the CBI Program.
Fiscal Note
Funding: General Capital Investment Plan
Attachments
Attachment(s):
Resolution