YORKTON - Two tenders first issued in 2023 were finally put forward to Council at its regular meeting Monday for approval.
The first was to purchase a new wheeled excavator that was included in the 2023 approved capital budget, explained René Richard, Director of Engineering and Asset Management with the city.
“A tender was issued in the fall of 2023, however it was not awarded at that time due to the inability of the best value bid to supply a demo unit for operators to try within the allotted time frame. Therefore, a tender was re-issued. This unit will replace an older, existing excavator,” he noted.
This time six tenders were received.
Bids for equipment are typically evaluated on a weighted point system to identify which bid is “best value”, taking into consideration price, delivery date, adherence to specifications, trade value of existing equipment, guaranteed maintenance amount, and guaranteed buyback, explained Richard.
“Fleet vehicles and equipment are identified for replacement when their useful life is reaching an end, and/or the unit would require substantial maintenance to keep operational. Usually, the existing unit is either sold privately or traded in to help offset the cost of the new unit. This existing unit will be kept so it can be utilized by the Water and Sewer Division second crew until they are fully established,” he said.
In terms of the 2024 tender, “The bid from Finning Canada has been identified as the best value for the City of Yorkton as it achieved the highest score, and their bid of $469,812.95 plus taxes was within the budgetary estimate of $572,000. Estimated delivery date is fall 2024,” he added.
Funding for this project will come from the Fleet Reserve as approved during budget deliberations.
Council was unanimous in approving the acceptance of the tender.
Council also approved the purchase of two tandem gravel trucks.
The tender had been included in the 2023 approved capital budgets. Due to lack of supply, no tender was issued in 2023, but rather in early 2024. The two units will replace two older, existing tandem trucks, detailed Richard.
Four tenders were received this time.
“The bid from Frontline Freightliner Truck Centre Ltd. was deemed to be the best value as it achieved the highest score, and their bid of $472,800 plus taxes for both tandem trucks was within the budgetary estimate amount of $506,000,” said Richard.
Funding for this project will come from the Fleet Reserve as approved during budget deliberations, he added.
