Item 12- RCA Lab Hoods — original pdf

Backup

CITY OF AUSTIN RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL ACTION CONTRACTOR: H2I GROUP, INC SUBJECT: Authorize a contract for the purchase and installation of laboratory hoods for Austin Energy with H2I Group, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $150,000. Funding: $150,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Energy. LEAD DEPARTMENT: Financial Services Department CLIENT DEPARTMENT: Austin Energy FISCAL NOTE: $150,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. PURCHASING: Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these goods and services. The Financial Services Department and Austin Energy have determined this contractor best meets the needs of Austin Energy to provide these goods and services required for the City. MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods and services required for this solicitation, there were exempt from MBE/WBE Procurement Program, therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department – Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: September 8, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) This contract is for the purchase and installation of two 4’ Protector XL Benchtop Hoods and a 4’ Protector Premier Benchtop Hood. Laboratory hoods exhaust toxic chemicals from the work area. Chemists often use solvents, acids, and other toxic chemicals when processing samples for analysis and this work is carried out inside a hood that is designed to exhaust these chemicals away from the analyst. Sourcewell is a Minnesota services cooperative purchasing association recognized under Texas procurement statutes. Cooperative associations, themselves or using a lead government, competitively solicit and award contracts that are eligible for use by other qualified state and local governments. Due to their substantial volumes, larger than any one government could achieve independently, cooperative contracts routinely include superior terms, conditions, and pricing. Use of cooperative contracts also results in lower administrative costs and time savings. The laboratory’s current hoods are more than 20 years old and have reached the end of service life. Properly functioning exhaust hoods are critical to the safety of all laboratory employees. The laboratory’s hoods are no longer serviceable and must be replaced. Failure to replace these hoods could result in a safety issue or temporary shutdown of critical lab functions. Revised 4/2025 1 Item 12