Sole Source - Spare CPU (Central Processing Unit) for Emergency Backup Generators

On September 18, 2025, the City of Fort Myers issued a Sole Source Notice for the procurement of a spare Central Processing Unit (CPU) specifically designed for emergency backup generators. The contract targets World Electric Supply as the exclusive vendor, based on their status as the sole authorized Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) repair and maintenance provider for ABB equipment, which the City utilizes. This procurement is conducted under the authority of Florida State Statute 287.057(3)(c), allowing a sole source acquisition when only one source is available. The CPU is critical to maintaining uninterrupted operation of emergency backup generators, and compatibility with existing ABB systems necessitates procurement from the authorized OEM representative. The City emphasizes that this notice does not constitute a formal solicitation, and no proposals or bids are required; however, other suppliers may submit documentation demonstrating their capability to provide comparable products for consideration by October 2, 2025, through a vendor questionnaire submission. The contract is managed through a non-competitive "NO VALUE Procurement" method, reflecting the sole source justification and absence of pricing or detailed deliverable line items in the notice. The key contact for this procurement is Rose Theriot, Purchasing Agent II, who handles any vendor inquiries or challenges regarding the sole source designation within a 15-day public notice period. Delivery and acceptance will likely be at the City of Fort Myers facility in Florida, although specific inspection protocols, packaging, or delivery terms are not explicitly defined. The procurement process involves no formal evaluations, pricing schedules, or standard federal clauses typically found in competitive contracts. Instead, award is predicated solely on the exclusivity and OEM authorization of the supplier. The City invites alternate suppliers to submit qualification information to potentially challenge the sole source determination, ensuring transparency and compliance with applicable statutes, but the prevailing justification remains focused on maintaining system integrity via OEM components.