Title
Staff Report for a Resolution for Approval to Make Landscape Structures, Inc. the Sole Source Supplier for City Parks Playground Equipment
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution to make Landscape Structures, Inc. the sole source supplier for playground equipment proposed for future renovations and/or new City park projects.
BACKGROUND
The existing playground equipment located throughout the City’s 17 parks is represented by a variety of structure manufacturers. As parks have been independently developed over several decades, and then renovated as different funding sources are found, there historically has been no thought to product continuity. Having a variety of manufactured equipment to maintain has given Public Works staff experience in equipment durability, ease of repair, as well as availability and cost of replacement parts.
Analysis
As City parks have been developed over the past several decades, different playground equipment manufacturers have been utilized for park construction projects. The variety in equipment systems has allowed staff to assess and compare durability, ability to obtain replacement parts (cost, as well as wait time), overall warranty parameters and customer service. Staff’s opinion obtained through hours of work on the various equipment systems is that play structures manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. are best for maintenance purposes.
The following parks currently have Landscape Structures, Inc. playground equipment installed: Toyon (Landscape Structures, Inc. is a partner with KaBoom!, who did the renovation build in 2010); Stenzel; Cherry Grove; Memorial; Grover Cleveland; Washington Manor; Bonaire; and Floresta. Landscape Structures, Inc. was formed in 1971 and is based in Minnesota, with local parts and service provided by their certified vendor in Santa Rosa. Landscape Structures, Inc. employs approximately 300 people who manufacture their products onsite. Having US-based equipment allows for less down-time when replacement parts are needed. Staff has had issues with the cost and time involved acquiring replacement parts on equipment that is not US-based (i.e. equipment installed at Halcyon Park is made in Norway and parts are not easily obtained). Public Works staff consistently receive excellent warranty and customer service from Landscape Structures, Inc.
Landscape Structures, Inc., manufacturers several different lines of playground equipment that allow for design customization and variety for each park location. Park playground design has always been an integral part of the City’s process, involving not only staff from the various City departments, but more importantly, the local residents and park users.
Current Agency Policies
The City has similar sole source arrangements with Denalect Alarm Company for fire alarm and life safety services; with Pivot Furniture for the assembly of the City’s Herman Miller modular furniture; with AllDura for its ‘Microgard’ anti-graffiti coating; and with Johnson Controls for building management systems in several City facilities. The City is permitted by State law to sole source a particular material, product, thing or service under California Public Contract Code section 3400, and by Section 1-6-315 of the San Leandro Municipal Code. By the proposed action, the City Council will make the findings necessary to establish a sole source supplier, which will be described in future invitations for bids or requests for proposals for play structure procurements.
Fiscal Impacts
Finding Landscape Structures, Inc. as a sole source for parks playground equipment in and of itself has no fiscal impacts. Moving forward, as new playgrounds are developed or existing playgrounds renovated (such as the KaBoom! build at Toyon Park that occurred in 2010, and the currently proposed renovations of Siempre Verde Park), a single play structure equipment manufacturer will cause more efficient maintenance and less equipment down time, especially because of parts availability, a proven track record of equipment durability and good warranty and customer service from the vendor.
ATTACHMENT(S)
None.
PREPARED BY: Debbie Pollart, Director, Public Works Department