Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: George Tablack
Department: Finance and Administrative Services Division: Purchasing
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE only reasonable source, sole brand designation, for Backflow Solutions, Inc., for subscription-based services that includes fee collection for backflow re-certifications for Water and Wastewater Services.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Rich voted in the affirmative telephonically.
B. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE Director of Purchasing to negotiate and execute a resultant agreement with Backflow Solutions, Inc., for subscription services to record, maintain, notify, and collect fees for regulatory cross connection and backflow preventer testing services, subject to approval from the County Attorney’s Office as to legal sufficiency, for up to five years for a total estimated amount of $15,000.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0. Commissioner Rich voted in the affirmative telephonically.
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Why Action is Necessary
Motion A. In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.34, Sole Source Procurement, Board approval is required for awards exceeding the Director of Purchasing's authority.
Motion B. In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.43, the Board approval is required for all contracts for supplies and services of more than five years, and Section 21.14.c.6 of the Procurement Code which authorizes the Board to delegate agreements to the Director of Purchasing for execution.
What Action Accomplishes
Motion A. Provides for the only reasonable source of Backflow Solutions, Inc. as the provider of the subscription-based services that include fee collection for backflow re-certifications.
Motion B. Authorizes the Director of Purchasing to execute an agreement for the Backflow Solutions software subscription services.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PURCHASING DIVISION AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES DIVISION RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This request provides for an open-end contract for recording, maintaining, notifying, and collecting fees for regulatory cross connection and backflow preventer testing services. The re-certification fee is based on the County Rate Resolution established by the Board, Ordinance No. 93-23, adopted August 10, 1993 (Public Hearing Item No. 11), effective August 27, 1993 (Exhibit 4).
Water and Wastewater Services (WWS) has been utilizing these subscription-based services since 2013. WWS personnel and licensed professionals entered all known customer backflows, around 6,000, into the BSI system and have been utilizing the Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI) system for managing re-certifications, tracking compliance, and responding to periodic public records requests.
On January 13, 2015, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Information (RFI) No. N1311411F1 to ascertain if there were any other entities able to provide backflow management services utilizing web-based software systems. The RFI had six responses; however, only BSI was able to meet and /or exceed Broward County’s requirements.
This new two-party agreement will allow BSI to collect the County’s re-certification fees and will provide added efficiencies by consolidation of the billing and collection process and enhance customer service and responsiveness (Exhibits 1 and 3).
The subscription services provided by BSI have been in use by WWS for over five years, and the current contract will be approved retroactively to April 1, 2018 and end on March 31, 2023.
All dollar amounts referenced in this agenda were rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
Source of Additional Information
Brenda J. Billingsley, Director, Purchasing Division, (954) 357-6070
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Each requirement processed against this open-end contract will be funded by the appropriate source at the time of release.