Attachment 2
CIYY
RIVERSIDE
Sole Source Justification Form
Complete and submit this form to the Purchasing Division when requesting exception to the competitive procurement process.
Sole source procurement refers to those purchases where there is only one supplier that can provide the product/service to the City. Please be as thorough and detailed with explanations to assist in the evaluation process.
Date: 08/12/2025
Department: Public Utilities Division:
Name: Jessica Spiking Title:
Generation
Utilities Resource Analyst
Requisition No:
Vendor Name: ABB, Inc. Vendor ID:
Item Description/
Scope of Work:
Clearwater Controls System Upgrade
1. Why is the acquísition restricted to this good/service/supplier? (Explain why the acquisition cannot be competitively bid, and Include consequences that would occur from not contracting with this supplier.) The Clearwater Power Plant (Clearwater) was first commissioned in 2005 and acquired by the City of Riverside in 2010.
Clearwater's plant operations depend on a well-established Balance of Plant (BOP) control system. The existing control system is a proprietary product developed by ABB, Inc. (ABB) and was installed at the commissioning of the plant. This control system integrates over 250 interdependent hardware and software components that manage critical operations that ensure the plant's safety, reliability, and compliance.
ABB is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and holds exclusive knowledge to the system's design, software, and parts. Many components are obsolete, and only ABB can supply updated hardware and software that will integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure without compromising system performance. No alternative supplier possesses
2. How was the price offered determined to be fair and reasonable? Explain what the basis was for comparison and include cost analyses as applicable. (Compare to vendor's previous or current offer to the City or to another agency/company, market research - or any other method of comparison that will substantiate fair and reasonable pricing in the absence of competition).
Attach back-up documentation for reference.
ABB's pricing is fair and reasonable as they are the original designer, manufacturer, and installer of Clearwater's BОР control system. As the OEM, ABB can upgrade obsolete hardware and update software while reusing existing infrastructure, avoiding the substantial costs of replacing the entire control system. Transitioning to a different vendor would require complete system replacement, extended outages, and significant integration risks, all of which would increase costs and jeopardize RPU's ability to reliably serve customers.
ABB is offering discounted pricing for hardware and a lower cost by leveraging existing components. They are also including a three-year software support agreement at a reduced cost, making this the most cost-effective and lowest-risk solution for maintaining reliable plant operations.
Sole Source Justification Form
3. Describe any cost savings realized or costs avoided by acquiring the goods/services from this supplier. Include consequences that would occur from not contracting with this supplier.
Contracting with ABB avoids the high costs, extended outages, and operational risks that would result from using an alternative contractor. As the original equipment manufacturer of Clearwater's control system, ABB has immediate access to compatible replacement parts and the proprietary knowledge needed to complete upgrades efficiently. Their direct experience with the specific hardware and software ensures a timely, reliable upgrade, minimizing downtime and maintaining the plant's ability to meet operational demands.
Certification of Responsibility:
am aware of the City of Riverside requirements for competitive bidding and the established criteria for justification of single source purchasing. As an authorized Department representative, I have gathered the required technical information and have made a concentrated effort to review comparable/equal vendors or equipment. I hereby certify the validity of the information and feel confident this justification of single source meets the City's criteria and would withstand audit or vendor protest.
Jessica Spiking
Signature
art on
Department Head
Date: 2025.08.12 11:31:58-07'00
Purchasing Manager (Up to $50,000)
Over $50,000 - Must be submitted for City
Council Approval with Purchasing Manager
concurrence.
08/12/2025
Date
08/12/2025
Date
Date
08/13/2025
Sole Source Justification – Clearwater Control System Upgrade – ABB, Inc.
1. Why is the acquisition restricted to this good/service/supplier? (Explain why the acquisition cannot be competitively bid and Include consequences that would occur from not contracting with this supplier.)
The Clearwater Power Plant (Clearwater) was first commissioned in 2005 and acquired by the City of Riverside in 2010. Clearwater’s plant operations depend on a well -established Balance of Plant (BOP) control system. The existing control system is a proprietary product developed by ABB, Inc. (ABB) and was installed at the commissioning of the plant. This control system integrates over 250 interdependent hardware and software components that manage critical operations that ensure the plant’s safety, reliability, and compliance.
ABB is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and holds exclusive knowledge to the system’s design, software, and parts. Many components are obsolete, and only ABB can supply updated hardware and software that will integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure without compromising system performance. No alternative supplier possesses technical specifications, system knowledge, or manufacturing capability to upgrade the existing system.
Failure to contract with ABB would leave Clearwater unable to replace failing components, increasing the risk of unplanned outages, operational downtime, and safety hazards. Such disruptions would negatively impact the plant’s ability to meet demand and co uld result in costly, prolonged outages.
2. How was the price offered determined to be fair and reasonable? Explain what the basis was for comparison and include cost analyses as applicable. (Compared to vendor’s previous or current offer to the city or to another agency/company, market research – or any other method of comparison that will substantiate fair and reasonable pricing in the absence of competition). Attach back -up documentation for reference.
ABB’s pricing is fair and reasonable as they are the original designer, manufacturer, and installer of Clearwater’s BOP control system. As the OEM, ABB can upgrade obsolete hardware and update software while reusing existing infrastructure, avoiding the substantial costs of replacing the entire control system. Transitioning to a different vendor would require complete system replacement, extended outages, and significant integration risks, all of which would increase costs and jeopardize RPU’s ability to reliably serve customers.
ABB is offering discounted pricing for hardware and a lower cost by leveraging existing components. They are also including a three-year software support agreement at a reduced cost, making this the most cost -effective and lowest -risk solution for maintai ning reliable plant operations.
3. Describe any cost savings realized, or costs avoided by acquiring the goods/services from this supplier. Include consequences that would occur from not contracting with this supplier.
Contracting with ABB avoids the high costs, extended outages, and operational risks that would result from using an alternative contractor. As the original equipment manufacturer of Clearwater’s control system, ABB has immediate access to compatible replacement parts and the proprietary knowledge needed to c omplete upgrades efficiently. Their direct experience with the specific hardware and software ensures a timely, reliable upgrade, minimizing downtime and maintaining the plant’s ability to meet operational demands.