The City of Marquette Public Works Department is regularly called upon to thaw water and sewer infrastructure during the harsh U.P. winters.  The replacement of an obsolete Brooks Cleaver Steamer and an Aladen trailer mounted jetter / pressure washer in service since 1982 were identified in the 2017-2022 Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Marquette but was not funded previously. In addition to thawing frozen water appurtenances, sanitary and storm sewer pipes during the winter, the equipment will aid with other non-winter functions such as sanitary sewer and storm sewer main cleaning, hydro-excavation projects, and serve as backup support for our jet-rodder truck that has been in service since 2004 and our mechanical rodder that has been in service since 2010.

 

The DPW staff recommend waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of the Hot Water Trailer Mounted High Pressure Jetting Unit due to the specialized nature of the equipment.  There are limited suppliers of this type of equipment as well as limited vendors that service the equipment.  Staff have found value in working with a responsive vendor in relatively close proximity to the City which already has an established service relationship with the City.