HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail Review of Sole Source FindingsByrnes, Terry
From: Tapanes, Leonel (Sgt.)
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 1:31 PM
To: Byrnes, Terry
Cc: Alberto Jr, Alberto (Lt.)
Subject: RE: Review of Sole Source Findings for Haenni Portable Vehicle Weight Scales
Attachments: FAA Drug Program Letter.pdf; Lab Accreditation.pdf; MPD QUOTE 6-14-10.pdf
Mr. Byrnes,
Thank you for the recommendation, however, I'd like to stress a few points regarding these scales.
Due to the scales being electronic, they require batteries and recharge times of up to 8 hours. Additionally, batteries,
eventually need to be replaced. These are issues which add additional costs and require additional maintenance
requirements that are completely negated with the use of the Haenni Scales. Also, the Haenni Scales are lighter, less
cumbersome, and have a lower profile, negating the need for the ramps, which again, add weight and equipment issues.
Furthermore, the Analog readout of the Haenni Scales can withstand greater shock values than the diodes of an
electronic readout. Also, for purposes of weighing commercial vehicles for enforcement purposes, it is required that each
set of wheel loads be measured individually rather than just the collective axle weight. This ensures proper lateral weight
distribution of cargo in order to avoid rollover situations.
I have also been unable to locate a local Certified Labratory that is equipped to certify the scales you recommended.
Portable scales are required to be certified for calibration annually. I have however, located a local Certified Labratory,
Kimball Electronics, in Hialeah, FI., that is prepared to certify the Haennis WL101, and has not only the experience, but
also the equipment to do so. They currently are the laboratory that certifies the calibration for the scales used by Coral
Springs PD. Please see attached forms.
Again, should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
From: Byrnes, Terry
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:54 PM
To: Tapanes, Leonel (Sgt.)
Cc: Robertson, Kenneth
Subject: RE: Review of Sole Source Findings for Haenni Portable Vehicle Weight Scales
Leo,
Please review the enclosed units as well and give me your thoughts here. Thanks.
Sr. Procurement Specialist
City of Miami Purchasing Department
444 SW 2 Ave., 6th Floor
Miami, FL 33130
Ph: 305-416-1917 / Fax: 305-400-5230
Email: tbvrnes{7a miamigov.com
From: Tapanes, Leonel
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 8:43 AM
_ To: Byrnes, Terry
Cc: Exposito, M (Chief of Police); Blom, Richard (Assistant Chief); Melancon, Louis (Major); Cruz, Wilfred; Spring, Larry;
Robertson, Kenneth; Morin, Mayree
Subject: RE: Review of Sole Source Findings for Haenni Portable Vehicle Weight Scales
Mr. Byrnes,
1
As per our conversation yesterday regarding the purchase of the Haeeni WL101 Portable Scales, 1 would like to take this
opportunity to explain why I had chosen those particular units rather than another portable scale.
The Haeeni WL101 is a low profile hydraulic/analog scale, with a platform height of .67 inches. This is relevant due to
the fact that when weighing tandem axles on a CMV, the lower profile scale is less likely to be "spit" out by the drive
axle(s) when the vehicle is being loaded on it. The Intercomp LP600 scales have a platform height of 1.5 inches and
require ramps, at a cost of $199 per set, to avoid this dangerous situation. Also, the WL101 weighs 35 lbs versus the 49
Ibs of the LP600. As you can imagine, either of these scales being flung can become a deadly projectile, however, the
low profile of the Haeeni minimizes this risk without the necessity of additional equipment.
The weight difference is also a factor in that these scales will be carried in the rear of a truck in racks. The additional
weight of 14 lbs per scale may seem inconsequential in regards to transport, however, becomes extremely relevant
when the officer is constantly deploying them, placing them in front of the tires of a CMV, and storing them back in the
vehicle. Please remember, these scales will not be used in static positions, but throughout the city, wherever we may
stop a suspected overweight vehicle. The additional weight is a health concern more than convenience when taking
lower back problems into consideration.
From a purely financial perspective, the cost of the Haeeni WL101 scale, as of January 1, 2011, is $4,495 per unit. Though
you stated that the LP600 is quoted at $3,995 per unit, this is the price of the unit with only a 5,000 lbs capacity. The
cost of the LP600 scale with a compatible capacity of 20, 000 lbs, equal to the Haeeni scale is an additional $500 per unit,
totaling $ 4, 495 per scale. Please note, the price of the Haeeni at the time that I submitted my purchase request, was
$4,395 per unit. At this time, the purchase for 16 scales, either Haeeni or Intercomp would be $71, 920.
Please take note, the Haeeni scales, require no further additional equipment, however, the Intercomp LP600's require
the following accessories as a minimum:
1. Ramps ($199 per set x 16) $3184
2. Battery Packs ($39 each x 16) $ 624
3. External Chargers ($295 each x 16) $4720
Total cost of minimum additional equipment required $8528
As you can see the cost of becoming operational using the LP600's has just increased to $80,448.
This still does not take into consideration down time due to charging the units or electrical malfunctions, situations that
are completely avoided with the Haeeni scales.
As you mentioned in your email, the LP600's are capable of being interconnected to a printer or transmit data to a
wireless device in order to avoid manually reading each scale. There are several problems with this approach. We, as
weight enforcement officers, are required to read each each scale individually. This is required in order to determine if
the load is evenly distributed in the vehicle, also, to inspect and verify the weight being recorded. Additionally, these
capabilities require even more equipment, which would be the following:
1. 900 Mhz Wireless PDA with Vehicle Weight Software ($2,495 each x 2) $4,990
2. Wireless nodes ($495 each x 16) $7, 920
3. Thermal Printer ($595 each x 2) $1,190
I respect and understand the duties of your position, and I appreciate your attempt to provide what you thought would
be a -better product at a compatible cost, however, due to the aforementioned reasons, I would respectfully request that
you reconsider approving the purchase of the HaeeniTh7CT0TTortab-fe VVhee1 Loa "Scales.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.
Leo Tapanes
Sergeant
Miami Police Department
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Detail
305-603-6790
—From: Byrnes, Terry
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 10:54 AM
To: Tapanes, Leonel
Subject: FW: Review of Sole Source Findings for Haenni Portable Vehicle Weight Scales
Importance: High
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