City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: April 7, 2026
From: Todd Dusenberry, General Manager of Public Utilities Department: Public Utilities
Submitted by: Adriana Ramos, Principal Management Analyst Subject
Purchase Order with A-Best Industrial, Inc.
Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and equipment and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order with A-Best Industrial, Inc. for the purchase of gas regulators, for a total amount not-to-exceed $75,193.22.
Background
The Gas Division of Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) is responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of gas regulators throughout the City’s natural gas distribution system. Gas regulators manage the flow of gas from a high-pressure source to lower-pressure applications, ensuring safe and reliable delivery to customers. Maintaining an adequate inventory of gas regulators is essential for ongoing maintenance, emergency repair, regulatory compliance, and safe operations. A-Best Industrial, Inc. (A-Best) specializes in providing gas regulators for natural gas systems and can supply smaller quantities to VPU.
The proposed Purchase Order is exempt from competitive bidding and competitive selection pursuant to Sections 3.32.110 (A)(2) and 3.32.110 (B)(1) of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC).
This exemption is due to A-Best being the only vendor capable of supplying the replacement gas regulators needed by the Gas Division. A-Best is the sole authorized distributor in the western region for the specific gas regulators and specialized instruments required by the Gas Division. Therefore, staff recommends approval of a Purchase Order with A-Best in the amount of $75,193.22 to purchase the gas regulators.
City Council approval for this purchase is required pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(B), as the City has paid or awarded the vendor over $100,000 in the last 12 months. The City has paid approximately $63,138.75 to A-Best through Purchase Orders during this period. With the current request for $75,193.22, the total amount paid or awarded to A-Best will reach $138,331.97.
A-Best has agreed to the City’s Purchase Order Terms and Conditions.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not to exceed $75,193.22. Sufficient funds are available in the Gas Fund, Capital Outlay, Account No. 056-060-600-660000, for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. A-Best Industrial, Inc. - Estimate and Sole Source Letter