Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a noncompetitive purchase of custom carpet and shipping costs for Monona Terrace. The cost of the carpet and shipping is not to exceed $852,704. Monona Terrace's 2023 adopted capital budget includes $2.3 million within the agency's Building and Building Improvements capital program, which will be used to fund the carpet purchase.
Title
A Resolution to authorize the noncompetitive purchase of custom carpet and shipping costs, not to exceed $852,704.24, from Tai Ping Americas, Inc. as a sole source provider of Axminster custom carpet that meets the exact wool blend specifications of the original carpet.
Body
WHEREAS, the City owns and operates the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center; and
WHEREAS, the carpet at Monona Terrace has a 10 year warranty, which is up in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the attic stock of extra replacement carpet from the last renovation order in 2013/2014 has been exhausted; and
WHEREAS, the booking calendar has been blocked from booking events, since more than 10 years ago, in order to accommodate the schedule for removal of old carpet and replacement with new in 2024; and
WHEREAS the existing carpet has already welcomed over 2.9 million visitors to the facility and is showing signs of wear; and
WHEREAS, by the time it is replaced it will have been rolled on by heavy equipment, carts and lifts for ten years and walked on by over 3 million people visiting and attending nearly 5,138 total events in the facility, including approximately 1,724 banquets, 1,452 meetings, 484 conventions and conferences, 177 consumer shows, 1,108 free community events and 193 entertainment events; and
WHEREAS, Tai Ping Americas, Inc. bought out the company and manufacturing equipment of the only other manufacturer of custom Axminster carpet that is weaved with a wool blend as required to meet the original carpet specifications; and
WHEREAS, The signature carpet design created for solely Monona Terrace can only be rendered accurately using a Axminster weave, to accurately execute the unique geometric pattern and achieve the richness of the specified colors; and
WHEREAS, Axminster weave is the only carpet that meets the very heavy wear requirements and the wool blend specified for this carpet provides the industry’s best fade resistance; and
WHEREAS, The carpet design for Monona Terrace is a very important character defining element of the overall design of the convention center, as significant as its specific placement on the shore of Lake Monona, as significant as the green-rooftop, fountain garden and twinkling light features as envisioned by the acknowledged master architect Frank Lloyd Wright, for the City of Madison, his childhood home; and
WHEREAS, for the reasons explained above and in the attached Noncompetitive Selection Request Form, Tai Ping Americas, Inc. is the only vendor that can manufacture and ship the specific custom carpet for Monona Terrace to match the original specifications;
WHEREAS, MGO 4.26(2) requires goods to be purchased using a competitive process approved by the Finance Director, and under the Finance Director’s Purchasing Guidelines, Common Council approval is required to purchase goods of $50,000 or more without a competitive process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Common Council authorizes the purchase of custom carpet and shipping costs, from Tai Ping Americas, Inc. not to exceed $852,704.24.