Notice of intent to designate sole source rexel USA

Collier County Public Utilities Department is pursuing a sole source procurement for electrical and control system components through its Procurement Services Division, specifically seeking to designate Rexel USA as the sole provider for critical infrastructure equipment. The procurement covers a comprehensive range of electrical and control products including Allen Bradley-Rockwell and Eaton (Cutler Hammer) Motor Control Centers (MCC), Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), network switches, power supplies, breakers, control panels, and related interface components and services. These specialized equipment are crucial for electrical power distribution and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems used in water and wastewater processes. The procurement period spans five years, from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2029. Key deadlines include a submission deadline of Friday, April 19, 2024, at 3:00 pm, during which potential vendors can contest the sole source designation. Notably, this is not a traditional bid but a notice to verify whether the specifications are non-restrictive and can be met by multiple companies. Respondents are instructed to submit documentation challenging the sole source designation through Collier County's online procurement portal, with the Procurement Services Division serving as the sole determining authority.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or small businesses. Rockwell Automation has explicitly confirmed REXEL USA INC - Naples as the exclusive authorized distributor for Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Software products in the geographic area, which effectively limits potential alternative vendors. The sole source designation is predicated on Rexel's authorized status, local inventory access, technical support capabilities, and factory-trained staff. While no specific budget range is disclosed, the procurement involves complex electrical infrastructure components for critical water and wastewater systems. Rockwell Automation has emphasized that purchasing from unauthorized sources may result in receiving outdated product versions and potentially invalidating manufacturer warranties. The current infrastructure requires specialized electrical control components that maintain compatibility with existing water and wastewater processing systems. Potential respondents should note that the county's procurement team will make a final, non-appealable determination regarding the sole source designation based on submitted documentation.