Exhibit 1 - Agenda Information SheetCity of Denton
_____________________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Materials Management
CM: Todd Hileman
DATE: November 6, 2018
SUBJECT
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Stuart C. Irby Company for the supply of electric
utility overhead transmission conductors (Suwanee) for the City of Denton Distribution Center; providing
for the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (IFB 6761 - awarded to Stuart C. Irby
Company, for one (1) year, with the option for two (2) additional one (1) year extensions, in the total three
(3) year not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000).
FILE INFORMATION /BACKGROUND
This Bid is for the purchase of Southwire 959.6 kcmil ACSS/TW (Suwannee) aluminum electric utility
conductors to be used for overhead transmission lines. Denton Municipal Electric (DME) is in the process
of rebuilding its entire transmission infrastructure throughout the Denton service area and has multiple
Capital Improvement Plan projects which will require this conductor. The abbreviation “kcmil” stands for
1000 circular mils and represents a measure of the cross-sectional area of the aluminum or copper in a
conductor. This terminology is used to state the sizes of conductors; 1000 kcmil wire has a cross-sectional
area of one square inch. “ACSS” stands for Aluminum Conductor Steel Supported. “TW” stands for
Trapezoidal Wire and indicates that the strands of aluminum wire wrapped around the steel core are
trapezoidal in shape as opposed to round. The trapezoidal shape allows more aluminum to be included in
the wire which increases the current carrying capacity over what would be obtained with round strands. To
further differentiate conductors that may be of the same size but different construction or properties, a
unique name is given to each type and size of conductor. Thus, the name Suwannee is for the conductor in
this Bid.
A conductor’s electrical current carrying capacity, or ampere rating, is a function of the actual cross-
sectional area of the aluminum or copper in the conductor (larger area equals larger capacity). When steel
support strands are included to add strength to the conductor, as in ACSS/TW, the steel provides only a
very small increase in capacity. The mechanical and electrical characteristics of various wire types are
considered in the selection of the conductor for a particular application. Suwannee has been chosen as the
standard for transmission line construction for DME because of its high capacity relative to its overall size.
It is also a size of wire that is commonly used by utilities in transmission construction. Consequently, it is
readily available and the cost is more economical than sizes that are less common.
The conductor is typically purchased on 10,400’ steel reels. Steel reels are required to support the weight.
The conductor will be managed through the Distribution Center inventory system and ordered as needed
for specific projects.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
Invitation for bids was sent to 143 prospective suppliers of this item. In addition, specifications were placed
on the Materials Management website for prospective suppliers to download, and advertised in the local
newspaper. Three (3) bids meeting specification were received (Exhibit 2). Stuart C. Irby Company was
the lowest responsible bidder.
RECOMMENDATION
Award a contract with Stuart C. Irby Company, for the supply of 959.6 ACSS/TW electric utility overhead
transmission conductor (Suwanee), in a three (3) year not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Stuart C. Irby Company
Fort Worth, TX
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
This is an initial one (1) year contract with options to extend the contract for two (2) additional one (1) year
periods, with all terms and conditions remaining the same.
FISCAL INFORMATION
These items will be funded out of the Distribution Center Working Capital account and charged back to the
using department for transmission line projects.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision.
The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence;
Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this
specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Organizational Excellence
Related Goal: 2.3 Promote superior utility services and City facilities
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Bid Tabulation
Exhibit 3: Contract and Ordinance
Respectfully submitted:
Lori Hewell, 940-349-7100
Purchasing Manager
For information concerning this acquisition, contact: Laura Hermosillo at 940-349-8438.
Legal point of contact: Mack Reinwand at 940-349-8333.