N32424 – Approve the purchase of training simulators chairs from Technical Laboratory Systems, Inc. through the Interlocal Agreement for Cooperative Purchasing with the Choice Partners National Purchasing Cooperative in the total amount of $377,380.00 for Houston Public Works.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of Houston Public Works and the Interim Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve the purchase of two (2) training simulators chairs through the Interlocal Agreement for Cooperative Purchasing with the Choice Partners National Purchasing Cooperative in the total amount of $377,380.00 and that authorization be given to issue a purchase order to the Choice Partners contractor, Technical Laboratory Systems, Inc.
This purchase will consist of two (2) Vortex Advantage operator station chairs designed to give the most realistic experience of driving real equipment. These simulators will contain the following equipment packages: crane and earth moving (excavator, wheel loader, backhoe and articulated dump truck) training packs. The operator’s station consists of an actual equipment seat and controls. With swappable controls design, the Vortex Simulators can easily switch control modules from one equipment type to another. The Vortex Simulator is enhanced with a 2-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) electromechanical motion system for the operator’s station. The motions include pitch and roll, using electrical actuators. The 2DOF system provides a range of motion, suitable for the operator, to feel the effects of the real-life equipment, such as: structure stress/bending/vibration while lifting heavy loads, collision impact and machine level/out-of-balance.
One of the chairs will be delivered and assembled at 5500 N. McCarty, Houston, TX 77013 and the other will be delivered and assembled at 2805 McKinney Street. These chairs will be available for all Transportation and Drainage and Drinking Water employees to utilized based on a set training schedule.
This recommendation is made pursuant to subsection 271.102(c) of the Texas Local Government Code, which provides that "a local government that purchases goods or services [from a cooperative purchasing program or organization] satisfies any state law requiring the local government to seek competitive bids for the purchase of the goods or services.”
MWBE Participation:
Zero percentage goal-document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Hire Houston First:
This procurement is exempt from the City’s Hire Houston First Ordinance because the department is utilizing an Interlocal or Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for this purchase.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY23 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Jedediah Greenfield
Interim Chief Procurement Officer
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director
Houston Public Works
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Estimated Spending Authority
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Department
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FY2023
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Out-Years
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Award Amount
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Houston Public Works
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$377,380.00
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$0.00
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$377,380.00
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