REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Award of Contract for an Automated Materials Handling System for the Sunnyvale Public Library (F15-53)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested to award a contract to Bibliotheca ITG of Norcross, Georgia in the amount of $280,000, excluding sales tax, for a SmartSort 400 Automated Materials Handling (AMH) system for the Sunnyvale Public Library. This system will replace the existing AMH system, which was installed in March 2010.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Bibliotheca, which was selected as the result of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process conducted in 2009 (RTC No. 09-186), installed the existing AMH system at the Sunnyvale Public Library in March 2010. The system is a 21-bin sort system with five patron return units. The AMH system checks in and sorts up to 10,000 items returned daily to the Library. Patron feedback regarding the AMH has largely been positive; however increased speed of processing has been a frequently requested enhancement. The current system has required an increasing number of repairs in the past year, which were often delayed due to limited availability of parts to effect the repairs. Wanting to be proactive in preventing an AMH system failure, Bibliotheca approached Library staff and proposed a subsidized replacement of the Library's existing system. After evaluation of the options available, Library staff proposed the purchase of a more technologically advanced system to leverage the subsidy and effect improvements in the Library customer experience.
The SmartSort 400 AMH system is 33%-50% faster than the existing system, processing 900 items per hour (instead of 600) at the returns and 2,400 items per hour (instead of 1,800) at the sorter. Technological enhancements achieved in the past four years mean that the system will require reduced maintenance, and will offer better reliability than the existing system due to its advanced single-belt d...
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