Notice of Intent to Sole Source Liberty Pumps

The City of Plant City is proceeding with a sole-source procurement of Liberty Pumps — Engineered Products 2.5–15 hp submersible wastewater pumps through Technical Sales Corporation, the sole authorized representative for this product line in Florida. The Notice of Intent to Sole Source closed May 27, 2026; no further action is required from vendors who accept the designation. Vendors may submit a response disputing the sole-source determination by the deadline.

The procurement is for wastewater lift station equipment: four Liberty LEPLGV053A0540S2SBJC-3 grinder pumps (two for Lift Station 35, two for Lift Station 44) and four EB LL080 slide guides as part of lift station generator and pump replacement project UM019. This purchase is justified on the grounds that Liberty pumps are one of only two approved manufacturers on the City's product list for lift stations rated 5 hp or lower, and Technical Sales Corporation holds exclusive municipal distributor rights to Liberty Pumps in Florida (the sole distributorship applies only to municipal sales and does not extend to commercial or industrial applications).

The quoted total is $26,355.44, charged to GL Account UM019 (Object Code 463400) within the Utilities Maintenance budget. The selected bidder must sign and return the contract and all required documents within 14 calendar days of receipt or risk forfeiture of any bid bond or cashier's check. Bids not exceeding $50,000 may be awarded by the City Manager; bids exceeding $50,000 require final approval by the City Commission. A local preference policy applies: qualifying bidders receive a discount not to exceed 1 percent of the lowest bid, provided the cost differential does not exceed $2,500, contingent on current City business tax payment, Florida state license, and a physical office within Plant City maintained for at least six months prior to submission. All bidders must complete sworn statements regarding public entity crimes and E-Verify immigration law compliance. Bid responses must remain valid for a minimum of 90 days from the submission deadline.