Report to City Council
ID: 26-0134 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Melissa Walker, Public Works Director/City Engineer
AGENDA DATE: April 7, 2026
TITLE: PURCHASE OF UTILITY TRANSFORMERS (REPORT
OF: PUBLIC WORKS) (ALL DISTRICTS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Authorization To Award A Purchase Agreement To ULS Corporate Inc. For The Purchase of Utility Transformers
DISTRICT: All Districts
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the award of a purchase agreement to ULS Corporate Inc. for the purchase of utility transformers; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with ULS Corporate Inc. in the amount of $710,651.41, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order to ULS Corporate Inc. in the amount of $710,651.41, funded by the MVU Restricted Asset Fund balance (Fund 6011) , once the agreement has been signed by all parties; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute any subsequent Amendments to the Agreement with ULS C orporate Inc. within the City Council approved annual budgeted amounts, including the authority to authorize the associated purchase orders in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to the approval of the City Attorney.
SUMMARY
This report recommends approval of a purchase agreement with ULS Corporate Inc. for
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the purchase of utility transformers. The transformers will be used in future Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) CIP projects. The purchase is funded with MVU’s Restricted Asset Fund balance and has been approved in the F iscal Year 2025/2026 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan.
DISCUSSION
As Moreno Valley Electric Utility (MVU) continues to modernize and strengthen its electric infrastructure, maintaining an adequate supply of transformers is essential to ensuring reliable electric service. The proposed purchase agreement with ULS Corporate Inc. will support MVU ’s long-term strategy by allowing for the timely purchase of transformers needed for upcoming Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects . These transformers are critical pieces of equipment that safely connect the battery systems t o MVU’s electric distribution system.
The transformers associated with these BESS projects will enable the batteries to interconnect with MVU’s Electric Gird to store energy when there is excess power on the grid and deliver electricity back to the system when demand increases. This helps MVU better manage peak energy usage, maintain stable service, and reduce strain on the overall system. Having standardized transformers designed specifically for these applications e nsures consistency, safety, and compatibility across multiple project locations.
A Request for Proposal for the transformers was advertised in the City’s bid management system, PlanetBids on November 25, 2025. Seven proposals were received (listed below) and were reviewed and rated by staff . ULS Corporate Inc. received the highest overall rating:
Vendor Amount Rank
ULS Corporate Inc. $ 653,472.56 1
B&H International $ 955,000.02 4
Young & Company $ 1,042,020.00 3
HighPoint Power Systems, Inc. $ 1,099,523.26 2
Chaka Ventures $ 1,850,400.00 5
Controlling Factor Inc. $ 1,939,619.88 6
Eisel-Power $ 3,147,215.64 7
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve and authorize the recommended action as presented in this staff report.
This alternative will provide for the ultimate, timely construction of Moreno Valley Utility’s Battery Energy Storage System Projects. Staff recommends this alternative.
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2. Do not approve and authorize the recommended actions as presented in this staff report. This Alternative will result in delaying the timely construction of Moreno Valley Utility’s Battery Energy Storage System projects. Staff does not recommend this alternative.
FISCAL IMPACT
This purchase is included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget and will be funded by the Moreno Valley Utility’s Restricted Asset Fund (Fund 6011) . Funding is included within the following approve d CIP projects: Energy Storage at City Hall Campus (Project No. 805 -0088), Battery Storage at Moreno Valley Substation (Project No. 805 -0072), Battery Storage at Moval South (Project No. 805 0087), Public Safety Building Microgrid (Project No. 805 -0086), and Conference and Recreation Center Microgrid (Project No. 805 -0082).There is no impact to the General Fund.
NOTIFICATION
Posting of the agenda.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Sergio Arredondo Melissa Walker, P.E.
Assistant Electrical Engineer Public Works Director/City Engineer Concurred By:
Jason Niccoli, P.E.
Electric Utility Division Manager
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Public Facilities and Capital Projects: Ensure that needed public facilities, roadway improvements, and other infrastructure improvements are constructed and maintained.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
Objective 1.2: Market all the opportunities for quality industrial development in Moreno Valley by promoting all high -profile industrial and business projects that set the Ci ty apart from others.
Objective 1.5: Showcase Moreno Valley’s unique assets.
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Objective 1.6: Establish Moreno Valley as the worldwide model in logistics development.
Objective 4.5: Explore green/renewable innovations and technologies for new developments such as the World Logistics Center.
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Report Approval Details
Document
Title:
STAFFREPORT_PW_MVU_12kV_690V_TRANSFORMERS.docx
Attachments: - ULS_Corporate_Purchase_Agreement_Draft_Ver3.pdf Final
Approval
Date:
Apr 1, 2026
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Melissa Walker
Sean Kelleher
Natalia Medina
Felicia London, MPA
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez