Request to award sole source purchase of Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley Variable Frequency Drive equipment to Werner Electric in the amount of $203,197.

The City Council is considering a sole source purchase of Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) equipment from Werner Electric for the Appleton Water Treatment Facility (AWTF). This purchase, totaling $203,197, is intended to replace aging VFDs installed in 2001 on critical pumps, including two lime sludge pumps, two UV feed pumps, and one high lift service pump (HLSP). These VFDs are essential for efficiently controlling pump speeds based on demand, ensuring the consistent treatment and distribution of water to residents and customers. One UV supply pump VFD already failed in 2024, highlighting the need for proactive replacement of the remaining 2001-vintage units to prevent future failures and maintain operational reliability. The funding for this purchase will come from the 2026 "MCC/Drive Replacement UV Pump" CIP budget, which has a total allocation of $260,000. Werner Electric is recommended as the vendor because they are the authorized regional distributor for Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley equipment, ensuring continuity of design and compatibility with existing systems.