Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Approving And Authorizing The Appropriate City Officials To Issue A Purchase Order To High Tech Engineering Incorporated, D/B/A High Tech Locating, And Ratify Services Rendered For Utility Location Services In An Amount Up To $620,923.01 In Accordance With Section 38.41(C)(9) Of The Procurement Code (Best Interest); Amending The Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.
Strategic Plan Focus
Financial Management & Administration
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
Background
The Department of Development Services/Building Division and the Department of Public Utilities are required to provide utility location services to support critical City operations and the general public. These services are necessary to protect underground infrastructure, ensure compliance with state and federal safety requirements, and identify the location of existing utilities in advance of excavation (a.k.a. Sunshine 811). Without accurate and timely location services, the City faces an increased risk of accidents, damage to underground facilities, and delays to public projects that rely on uninterrupted service delivery.
High Tech Engineering Incorporated, doing business as High-Tech Locating, has been providing these utility location services to the City to ensure continuity of operations. The nature of the services required during the period of June 15, 2022, through March 2025, necessitated continued use of High Tech’s services so that ongoing projects could proceed without disruption. The Departments determined that it was in the best interest of the City to rely on High Tech’s expertise during this period, as the company was already familiar with the City’s systems, demonstrated the ability to respond promptly to requests, and possessed the technical capacity to deliver the specialized services required.
The Procurement Code, in Section 38.41(C)(9), provides that when the City Commission declares by a five-sevenths affirmative vote that competitive bidding and proposals are not in the best interest of the City, such purchases are exempt from the standard competitive process. In this case, staff from both Development Services and Public Utilities have determined that competitive solicitation is not in the City’s best interest due to the previous urgent need for services, the continuity required for ongoing projects, and the risks that would be associated with transition to a new provider mid-project. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Commission approve issuance of a purchase order to High Tech, inclusive of ratification for services already rendered.
The total amount negotiated for the payment of all balances related to services provided by High Tech during the defined period is $525,000. Funding for this purchase order is available across multiple departmental accounts, specifically:
Department of Public Utilities ($222,390.00)
442.400201.53600.531170.000000.000.000, 442.400202.53600.531170.000000.000.000, 443.410101.53800.531170.000000.000.000, and
Development Services/Building Division ($302,610.00)
114.140301.52400.534980.000000.000.000.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding will be made available in Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget as detailed in Exhibit 1, subject to approval of this resolution.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Russell Long, Chief Building Official
Andria Wingett, Director, Development Services
Vincent Morello, Director, Public Utilities
Chris O’Brien, Public Safety Director
Raelin Storey, Assistant City Manager