Intent to Single Source purchase of Programmable Logic Controllers for the Price Creek Water Plant

The City of Lake City in Clay County, Florida, is pursuing a single-source procurement for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for the Price Creek Water Plant. This procurement is being conducted under a limited competition acquisition approach, specifically authorized by the City of Lake City's Procurement Policy and Florida Statute 287.057(5)(3)(c). The intended procurement is specifically for PLCs from Rockwell Automation, with EESCO in Valdosta, GA identified as the sole authorized distributor for this geographic area. The notice of intent was posted on July 14, 2021, with responses due by July 22, 2021, at 5:00 pm, to be submitted to nelmesk@lcfla.com. The procurement is unique in that it is not a traditional Request for Proposals, and any responses will be considered only to determine whether a competitive procurement might be necessary. The key objective appears to be acquiring PLCs with full manufacturer warranty, technical support, and the latest product versioning.

The procurement appears to have specific restrictions, effectively limiting competition to Rockwell Automation's authorized distribution channel. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The existing infrastructure involves the Price Creek Water Plant's current system, which requires integration with the new Programmable Logic Controllers. While no specific award value or budget range is explicitly stated, the procurement is focused on ensuring proper product support, warranty coverage, and technical compatibility. The sole-source nature of the procurement suggests that EESCO is the prequalified vendor, with Rockwell Automation emphasizing that purchasing through unauthorized channels could result in invalidated warranties, lack of technical support, and potential issues with product updates. The procurement appears to prioritize long-term value and technical support over immediate cost considerations.