RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
2. Home Depot by increasing the amount by $80,000 to a new total amount of $280,000, for the purchase of miscellaneous materials for use in the Weatherization Program on behalf of low-income County residents, for the term of September 15, 2010 thru December 31, 2012;
3. McHale's Insulation by increasing the amount by $90,000 to a new total amount of $340,000, for the purchase of insulation, for the term of September 15, 2010, thru December 31, 2012;
4. Entech Supply by increasing the amount by $50,000 to a new total amount of $140,000, for the purchase of carbon monoxide alarms, for the term of September 15, 2010 thru December 31, 2012.
These vendors were selected through a competitive bidding process, working closely with the Purchasing Division of the General Services Department and following the County's established procurement procedures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Increases existing purchase orders with four vendors by $320,000 total. Purchase orders with continue to be funded by a contract with the State of California for various weatherization projects throughout the County. A portion of the State grants may be funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) has partnered with the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) for the past twenty years to provide energy saving home improvements to low-income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s nineteen cities.
This funding is provided by State and Federal grant programs including but not limited to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Energy, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (DOE ARRA).
The energy savings measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent light bulbs, weatherstripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation.
Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.
The Weatherization Program has recently received additional funding from the State which increased the contract amount from $3,452,979 to $4,554,300. Consequently the State has requested the Weatherization Program to service additional 200 residential units. Therefore the purchase amounts on the Purchase Orders with the vendors need to be increased in order to help us to achieve the required unit production by the end of the contract term, which is March 31, 2012. Failure to maintain the monthly unit production goal may subject to the State to reallocate the additional funding to other Counties.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
A denial would prevent the purchase of equipment, supplies and miscellaneous materials needed to provide home weatherization services.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this item will enable the Weatherization Program to purchase materials necessary to provide home energy efficiency improvements to low-income households, which reduces living expenses and improves comfort and quality of life for children residing in the households served. This supports outcomes Nos. 3 and 5 established in the Children's Report Card: (3) Families are economically self-sufficient; and (5) Families are safe, stable and nurturing.