Title
Airport Passenger Loading Bridge Parts and Equipment
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of passenger loading bridge parts and equipment by the sole source exemption,
B. Approve a contract with Twist Aero LLC for the purchase of loading bridge parts and equipment - preconditioned air unit parts for the term of three years,
C. Approve a contract with Oshkosh AeroTech, LLC for the purchase of loading bridge parts and equipment - ground power unit parts and related parts and equipment for the term of three years, and
D. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contracts for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contracts consistent with the purpose for which the contracts were approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Haley Gentry, Aviation
Jack Christine, Aviation
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 these contracts because there is only one supplier of the needed commodities.
§ City Council approval is required for any purchases made under the sole source exception.
Explanation
§ Aviation owns and maintains 120 passenger loading bridges. The preconditioned air units, ground power units, and their related parts are integral components of the loading bridges as they provide regulated air conditioning and power to the aircraft while it is docked.
§ Twist Aero LLC and Oshkosh AeroTech, LLC are the manufacturers of this specialized airport equipment, and the original equipment manufacturer parts are required to maintain performance standards, standardization, and compatibility with existing equipment.
§ At renewal, potential price adjustments may be considered based on legitimate and justified increases in the cost of doing business. The ability to consider price adjustments also allows the city to accept decreases, if warranted.
§ Annual expenditures are estimated to be $550,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Sole sourcing was required for this contract because there is only one supplier of each of the needed commodities. Sole source contracts are exempt from CBI Program goals, as these contracts do not involve a competitive bidding process and do not present opportunities for subcontracting. This aligns with what is required by North Carolina State Statute §143-129(e)(3).
Fiscal Note
Funding: Aviation Operating Budget