ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 28, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Resolutions TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
DATE: May 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Dispense with bidding for the purchase of Fonroche solar street lighting equipment for the Public Works Department.
Resolution determining that Fonroche solar street lighting equipment cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding thereof, not to exceed $500,000 for the Public Works Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend adoption of the resolution and approval of the purchase.
BACKGROUND:
Since the arrival of solar lighting to the mass market, the City of Bakersfield has completed several pilot projects, testing the effectiveness, quality, and reliability of solar streetlights from various manufacturers.
Among all the manufacturers’ previously tested products, Fonroche Solar Streetlights have shown the most promise, putting forth the best lighting output, efficiency, ease of maintenance, and quality. The ability to retro fit lights on existing poles also allows for cost -effective methods of providing lighting to areas of poor or non-existent lighting.
The City of Bakersfield Public Works Department is actively designing and implementing several streetlighting projects across the city. In an effort to streamline operations, the department is exploring more efficient methods that reduce time and resource requirements. Fonroche Lighting America offers a unique, proprietary Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery technology, which is designed to withstand both extreme temperature fluctuations and provides a 10-year replacement lifespan. Additionally, Fonroche's system features central control and management of streetlights, supported by an 8 -year, non-prorated, parts and labor warranty.
These solar-powered streetlights simplify installation, reducing time and labor since they eliminate the need for running conduit or installing pull boxes. This solution also addresses the ongoing issue of conduit theft and vandalism, which often requires costly replacements. Fonroche’s lighting systems are versatile, suitable for both new pole installations and retrofitting existing poles.
The City municipal code section 3.20.060 (D)(2) allows the City to dispense with bidding when it is determined that the equipment can only be reasonably obtained from one vendor because of restricted availability of such work, supplies, equipment or materials, or because of the necessity to successfully integrate such work, supplies, equipment or materials into an existing city project or system.
The effectiveness of Fonroche’s products has already been validated through a series of pilot projects conducted by the Public Works General Services Department and Street Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are budgeted in the Public Safety/Vital Services Measure Fund for this purchase
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Agreement
Sole Source Letter