A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND WAIVING, BY 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-367 OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE "U.S." MOTORS" BRAND OF ELECTRIC MOTORS MANUFACTURED BY NIDEC CORPORATION (WITH SUCH PURCHASES BEING MADE FROM ANY AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR THEREOF), FOR THE PURPOSE OF STANDARDIZING THE ELECTRIC MOTORS THAT SERVICE THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL TURBINE PUMPS AT THE CITY'S WATER AND WASTEWATER PUMP STATIONS, IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT AS MAY BE APPROPRIATED ANNUALLY FOR SUCH PRODUCTS THROUGH THE CITY'S BUDGET PROCESS.

The City of Miami Beach Public Works Department operates and maintains six (6) Water Pump Stations and 12 Wastewater Pump stations that are equipped with U.S. Motors brand of electric motors that were specified and installed during the original construction. These electric motors power the stations vertical and horizontal turbine pumps. The department has been utilizing US brand motors since the original installation of these pump stations, and over the years US Motors have proven to be of exceptional quality and reliability.

Presently the department has a need to purchase replacement motors of different sizes to keep in stock to be able to quickly respond to repair needs. Additionally, these motors require preventive maintenance that can take an extended period of time. In these instances, the Public Works Department would utilize the stock of like for like electric motors to maintain the operational status of these pump stations.

Although it is possible to purchase other brands of electrical motors, doing so would increase the risk of compatibility and installation issues which could result in extended downtime of this critical infrastructure. Having surplus of like for like electric motors in stock would ensure that these pump stations remain operational during scheduled maintenance or during unforeseen equipment malfunctions.

The following are additional factors that make it advantageous for the City to standardize on U.S. Motors: 1) to assure consistency, efficiency and reliability in the operations of the existing pump stations; 2) to minimize maintenance issues; 3) to maximize compatibility with existing equipment and ease of replacement when repairs are needed; 4) reduce the cost associated with keeping large stock of different brand motors; and, 5) reduce the learning curve and training associated with the maintenance of the existing pump stations.

Therefore, for the reasons stated herein and pursuant to Section 2-391 of the City Code, the Administration recommends establishing US Motors brand of electric motors as the City’s standards to be utilized for the vertical and horizontal turbine pumps at water and wastewater pump stations citywide

U.S. Motors is manufactured by Nidec Corporation. According to its website, the Nidec Corporation sells its U.S. Motors brand of electric motors through a network of eight (8) authorized distributors.

In order to expedite the purchase of these critical motors for the City’s pump stations, the City Manager further recommends that the Mayor and City Commission waive the formal bidding requirements and authorize the Administration to seek quotes from the authorized U.S. Motors distributors.