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TO: Mayor Richard C Irvin
FROM: Ian Wade, Capital Projects Manager
Christopher Linville, Superintendent of Fleet Operations
DATE: May 12, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to utilize General Services Administration (GSA) and Houston-Area Council (HGAC) Cooperative Purchasing Contracts to purchase a pair of vehicle repair lifts for the new Public Works Facility from Vehicle Services Group, LLC, 2700 Lanier Drive, Madison, IN 47250 for the combined amount of $97,610.25.
PURPOSE:
To authorize the purchase of vehicle repair lifts for the new Public Works Facility
BACKGROUND:
A new facility was recently constructed to consolidate the personnel and equipment from a handful of maintenance divisions (Electrical, Streets, Fleet, Water & Sewer, and Water Meter Maintenance) within the Public Works and Facilities Departments.
The purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (known as "FF&E") has been included in the approved 2025 budget for this facility (CIP C114). For what is likely to be the final significant equipment purchase for this project, the City is requesting authorization to purchase two new vehicle repair lifts.
Currently, the City's Fleet Maintenance Division has one 30,000 lb., 4-post lift capable of servicing our heaviest-duty vehicles (such as fire engines). When this lift is in use, maintenance staff is currently unable to service any other fire engines or other heavy-duty vehicles, resulting in downtime for vehicles that may be of critical importance to the safety of the City's residents. The purchase of a second such lift will allow for multiple vehicles to be repaired concurrently and put back into service much more quickly.
The division also has one 18,000 lb., 4-post lift for servicing the next smallest class of vehicles. However, this aging lift is proving inadequate for lifting the rear ends of the newer, heavier ambulances. The requested 22,000 lb., 4-post will allow staff to safely lift these ambulances and will also be used in conjunction with an alignment machine which will allow staff to perform alignments on medium/light duty cars and trucks in house, resulting in long term cost savings to the City.
DISCUSSION:
The purchase of these lifts was originally requested of the City's Construction Manager for the project, RC Wegman, using existing contingency funds within the approved budget. However, upon requesting pricing from their vendor Vehicle Services Group, LLC (VSG), the City was informed that purchasing these lifts directly from VSG utilizing General Services Administration (GSA) and Houston-Area Council (HGAC) Cooperative Purchasing Contracts will result in a savings of almost $25,000 versus purchasing through RC Wegman's contract.
The 2024 City Budget provides funds for this project (CIP C114) and this purchase will be made using account 355-4411-417.72-01 (Capital Outlay - GO Bonds).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The purchase of these lifts will allow the Fleet Maintenance Division to service emergency (and other heavy-duty) vehicles in a more timely (and cost effective) manner, reducing down time for these important vehicles
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to utilize General Services Administration (GSA) and Houston-Area Council (HGAC) Cooperative Purchasing Contracts to purchase a pair of vehicle repair lifts for the new Public Works Facility from Vehicle Services Group, LLC, 2700 Lanier Drive, Madison, IN 47250 for the combined amount of $97,610.25.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment ("FF&E") was approved as part of the new Public Works Facility project (CIP C114), and
WHEREAS, the City will utilize GSA and HGAC Cooperative Purchasing Contracts to purchase a pair of vehicle repair lifts for the facility from Vehicle Services Group, LLC, 2700 Lanier Drive, Madison, IN 47250 for the combined amount of $97,610.25; and
WEREAS, this purchase will be made using account 355-4411-417.72-01 (Capital Outlay - GO Bonds).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing is authorized to utilize General Services Administration (GSA) and Houston-Area Council (HGAC) Cooperative Purchasing Contracts to purchase a pair of vehicle repair lifts for the new Public Works Facility from Vehicle Services Group, LLC, 2700 Lanier Drive, Madison, IN 47250 for the combined amount of $97,610.25