HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2510-5315CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, February 23, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
4.Approval of a Purchase Order with ABB Inc. for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $389,862 to
Procure Equipment and Services to Retrofit Ten (10) Existing VHK, Circuit Breakers for the
Maybell Electric Substation. CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guideline 15302(c),
Reconstruction of Existing Utility Facilities.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Utilities
Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Report #:2510-5315
TITLE
Approval of a Purchase Order with ABB Inc. for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $389,862 to Procure
Equipment and Services to Retrofit Ten (10) Existing VHK, Circuit Breakers for the Maybell
Electric Substation. CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guideline 15302(c), Reconstruction of
Existing Utility Facilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends that Council approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to
execute a purchase order contract with ABB Inc. in the amount of $354,420 for the purchase and
installation of ten (10) 12kV, 1200Amp magnetic-actuator type power circuit breakers for
Maybell Substation with a 10% contingency of $35,442 for related but unforeseen work, for a
total not-to-exceed amount of $389,862.
BACKGROUND
A circuit breaker is a device that interrupts high voltages and currents during switching or fault
conditions to protect utility infrastructure. These devices require regular maintenance and
routine testing to ensure proper operation. The high-voltage circuit breakers in Maybell
Substation, originally installed in 1986, have exceeded their expected life of 30-35 years. Due to
end of life, replacement parts are no longer readily available, and there have been instances
where the breakers have failed to operate. Circuit breakers are an integral and critical part of an
electric distribution system for maintaining safe and reliable electric service. Staff recommend
that these selected breakers be replaced with modern circuit breakers equipped with magnetic
actuators that can fit into the existing switchgear. Operational speed and response time of these
replacement circuit breakers are faster due to their magnetic control of the mechanism.
Magnetically-actuated circuit breakers with modern technology have fewer moving parts, longer
in-service intervals between maintenance, and provide improved reliability over legacy spring-
actuated breakers.
ANALYSIS
The City’s Utilities staff evaluate the distribution system on an ongoing basis, including inspection
and testing of existing facilities. Through routine inspection and testing of Maybell Substation’s
12kV circuit breakers, two breakers failed during testing. The failure of these breakers was
attributed to their age and wear of existing in-service parts. Staff has determined that the only
viable and cost-effective option for replacing the circuit breakers in Maybell Substation is to use
retrofitted breakers manufactured by ABB Inc., which is the successor company to the original
manufacturer. For this reason, Staff is recommending approval for the purchase of ten (10)
circuit breakers directly from ABB via a sole source exemption 2.30.360(d) approved by the City
Manager or their designee under the City’s standard procurement process.
City staff requested a quotation from ABB on October 13, 2025, for compatible replacement
breakers, and ABB quoted a price of $354,420 for ten breakers and installation support. ABB’s
quote includes installation, training and commissioning by ABB approved installers consistent
with the manufacturer’s warranty. The quoted onsite installation services include verification of
fit within the City’s existing switchgear, confirmation of mechanical and electrical connections,
and testing of functional operations. Staff is recommending ABB provide the installation of the
replacement breakers to ensure proper fit and operation of the replacement breakers.
Additionally, if ABB technicians install the replacement breakers, ABB will extend the
manufacturer’s warranty an additional four years.
Funding for the $354,420 to purchase the circuit breakers is available in the FY 2026 Electric CIP
Budget under Capital Improvement Project EL-17002 (Substation Breaker Replacement).
Outside of approval during a regularly scheduled Council meeting, no stakeholder engagement
was sought for the procurement of new 12kV circuit breakers for City’s substation.
This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15302(c), replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities.
:
Alan Kurotori, Director of Utilities
Staff: Terry Crowley, Utilities Chief Operating Officer
Staff: Mohammad Fattah, Electric Engineering Manager