Item F27
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ADD-ON
Meeting Date: November 17. 2004
Division:
Public Works
Bulk Item: Yes X
No
Department: Facilities Maintenance/Correction Facilities
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Ratification of emergency Purchase Order No. 00001890 for
$59,060 issued to Grainger Industrial Supply, sole source vendor, to provide and install a UL listed
Square D 4000 Amp Main Breaker at the Monroe County Detention Facility on Stock Island.
ITEM BACKGROUND: After normal power was restored to the Key West area after a power outage
on 11/8/04, repeated attempts to reset the main circuit breaker at the Monroe County Detention Facility
were unsuccessful as the breaker failed mechanically. Ibis is a single source item with all the switch
gears being Square D.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: None.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOTAL COST: $59.060.00
BUDGETED: Yes NoX
(*willattempt to absorb within current budget)
COST TO COUNTY: same
SOURCE OF FUNDS: ad valorem
(Account #101-20505-530460)
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No X
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
DMSION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
OMBlPurch7~~ement-
(;P~ _
Dent Pierce, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: County Atty. _
DOCUMENTATION: Included x
To Follow
Not Required _
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
rc??
Plerce-Dent
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
stone-Bob
Tuesday, November 09, 2004 9:52 AM
Pierce-Dent
MCDC - Breaker
Dent _ After normal power was restored to the Key West area yesterday, repeated attempts at resetting the
main circuit breaker for the Monroe County Detention Center was unsuccessful. Staff master electrician,
"Ski" Witkowski conferred with Square D's technical staff in going through numerous diagnostic steps to find
out why this breaker would not close. It was determined that the breaker failed mechanically and normal
power would not be able to be restored without its replacement. The breaker in question is a 3 phase 4000
amp OFI main circuit breaker that feeds the Detention Center and the DJJ facility. The existing status of the
facilities is that the Detention Center is on generator power with the majority of circuits on emergency power,
therefore they are able to operate normally. DJJ first floor is on generator power with numerous circuits on
emergency power, so they are able to operate adequately. DJJ second floor has minimal circuits on
emergency power so they have been shut down. The only power being provided to the second floor of DJJ is
for emergency lighting and the telephone equipment room.
This 4000 amp breaker has been in operation for eleven years and would normally have a life expectancy of 20
to 30 years in an area with a stable power grid but the numerous power quality issues we have in the Keys
has had a negative impact on this breaker.
Steps that have been taken thus far include:
1) All affected parties have been notified of the situation and my office is attempting to stay in contact
with them to provide open communication and information.
2) Square 0 service representatives have unsuccessfully tried to locate this breaker within the U.S.. They
are going to have to fabricate a new breaker at their factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Original time estUnates for
the fabrication was two to three days, we are trying to cut that down to one day. Square D's distributor,
Grainger is to provide pricing this morning, I am awaiting their call. Preliminary estimates for the cost of just
the breaker is $55,000.00. With expediting, freight and technical assistance for its installation the cost could
possibly reach $70,000.00. Unfortunately this is a single source item with all the switch gear being Square D.
3) Our electricians are working on providing additional emergency circuits to the second floor of DJJ and
to the Jail.
4) Benson Electric has been called in to assist in flying these extra circuits and to provide a second
opinion on the failure of this breaker.:
5) Generators and fuel supply are being monitored to insure noc:POwer interruption.
Am going to run now - I will advise as more information is made available. Please let me know if there are any
questions or more information is desired. Thank You - Bob
1