Butterfly Valves and Valve Accessories

The City of Madison Finance Department, acting on behalf of Madison Water Utility, issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) #4826-0-2019-BO for the procurement of butterfly valves and valve accessories. The solicitation specifically requests rubber-seated butterfly valves in 16-inch and 20-inch sizes, along with mechanical joint (MJ) fastening kits ranging from 3 to 20 inches. The procurement includes precise quantities such as two 16-inch valves, two 20-inch valves, and sixty 6-inch MJ fastening kits, with acceptable valve models limited to Kennedy B4500, Mueller B3211-20, or approved equivalents. Bidders were required to submit quotes via email, mail, or fax by May 15, 2019, at 1:00 PM CST, with preliminary questions due by May 6, 2019, and answers provided by May 10, 2019. The City's evaluation criteria included considerations of cost, quality, compatibility, warranty, delivery, and past performance, with the intent to award to the most advantageous responsive and responsible bidder. All deliveries were to be FOB to Madison Water Utility, with 24-hour advance notice required, and materials must conform to AWWA C504 specifications for valves 16 inches and larger.

The RFQ included a local vendor preference program, which ultimately influenced the contract award. First Supply LLC was awarded the contract at $13,398.16, slightly higher than a competing bid from Core & Main at $12,313.74, with the selection based partly on local vendor status. Quotes were required to be firm for one year from the bid date, with a 90-day withdrawal restriction. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned, the local vendor preference program provided some competitive advantage for local suppliers. The pricing for individual items varied significantly, ranging from $20.29 to $3,045.00 per unit depending on specific valve and accessory specifications. Bidders were required to complete Form A (Price Proposal) and Form B (Bidder Information), and to indicate their local vendor status or confirm non-participation in the local preference program. The procurement was structured to ensure comprehensive competition while maintaining flexibility for potential equivalent product submissions.