Item Number: 10
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: October 01, 2024
Submitted By:
C. Eric Ray, Airport Director
Subject:
Purchase of Tractor with Mower Attachment
Recommendation:
That the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (“SCLAA”) Board of Directors:
Approve the purchase of a John Deere 5095M Utility Tractor with an Alamo Falcon 10 (mower attachment) in the amount of $127,598.90.
Fiscal Impact:
This action will result in the expenditure of $127,598.90 from budgeted Airport Operations fund 450. The John Deere 5095M Utility Tractor will cost $76,797.66 and the Alamo Falcon 10 will cost $50,801.24, both of which are priced less than the current budget for each item. The budget for each item is as follows:
Fund Current Budget
4500125-55045-95138 Tractor $88,000
4500125-55045-95132 Mower $55,000
Total $143,000
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal E - Invest in Infrastructure. This equipment will allow Airport staff to efficiently maintain existing property.
Background:
The Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (“SCLAA”) currently owns a 2003 Kubota tractor with a mower attachment, that is becoming less reliable and more costly to repair due to many hours of service over its 21-year life. Recently, the transmission started exhibiting signs of impending failure and staff received a repair estimate of over $10,000, which was not approved because of the high cost and the age of the equipment. 3 8
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The 2003 Kubota tractor and mower is used to assist with mowing duties for over 1,000 acres of airfield areas and certain Off-Airport properties. Due to its age and diminutive size, it is slow and requires an inordinate amount of maintenance to remain operational.
Consequently, it takes staff several months each year to keep the airfield properly mowed.
In all seasons, but particularly when rainfall is abundant, Airport staff needs reliable equipment that can quickly mow the large acreage of vegetation.
Discussion:
The proposed equipment purchase would replace a 2003 Kubota Tractor and its aged mower attachment. The replacement equipment, a John Deere 5095M Utility Tractor with an Alamo Falcon 10 mower attachment, will ensure staff has reliable and operable equipment to support its maintenance activities. Additionally, staff anticipates cost savings derived from reduced maintenance cost and productivity gains. Specifically, the existing Kubota tractor pulling the existing aged mower yields a mowing rate of only 7 acres per hour at peak performance, which it rarely achieves due to age related issues, whereas a modern tractor and mower combination will be capable of mowing at least 8 acres per hour on its first day at the Airport.
To facilitate the procurement of this much needed equipment, the purchase of the tractor/mower is proposed through RDO Equipment Company (RDO), a distributor for John Deere, and a participant in the cooperative agreement program called Sourcewell.
Sourcewell is a public agency that serves as a member-focused cooperative and offers a multitude of cooperatively contracted specialized products and equipment to government entities. Per Municipal Code §2.28.120 “Purchases of supplies and equipment through cooperative purchasing arrangements” allows for the procurement of equipment directly from vendors engaged in a cooperative agreement program without further solicitation. Sourcewell offers its members contract purchasing solutions that are leveraged nationally to enable contracted suppliers and member agencies to work smarter and more efficiently, while streamlining the required purchasing process.
The Sourcewell contract fulfills the competitive bidding requirements, thus providing significant savings. The proposed equipment replacements will benefit the Airport by offering: increased reliability; environmental compliance; improved productivity; and significantly lower maintenance and operational costs. Staff has carefully reviewed the quotes and determined that RDO and John Deere have provided fair offers and are capable of ensuring the equipment specifications will be met. Therefore, staff is requesting the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority Board of Directors approve the purchase of the tractor/mower in the amount totaling $127,598.90, from RDO Equipment Company and John Deere.
Staff remains available for any questions or comments you may have.
CER/see
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Attachments: A. RDO Quote #31697693 – Tractor/Mower
B. Sourcewell – Contract 082923-DAC - John Deere
C. Sourcewell – Contract 070821-AGI – Alamo
D. Municipal Code 2.28.120