“We are renting or leasing as needed,” he said.
CUC rented an equipment to perform the “meter change outs” which is required by the federal stipulated orders, he added.
Malae said they also need to replace the AS400 and associated software applications.
He said the “odd readings” last month were the result of the recent crash of CUC’s 20-year-old AS400 computer system.
The system crashes on a regular basis, he added.
CUC is also in dire need of bucket trucks for Rota and Saipan, a pole truck for Saipan and utility trucks for all three islands, Malae said.
CUC likewise needs smaller trucks for all three islands for water, wastewater, power and safety, he added.
CUC can acquire the needed equipment if funding is available, he said.
CUC is ordering what it needs from the General Services Administration.
“The advantage of GSA is that the procurement process is 90 percent complete. Our local business/government environment is so litigious that the smallest perceived defect in the procurement process results in appeals and costly delays,” he said.
GSA is an independent agency of the federal government that supplies products and communications for U.S. government offices and develops government-wide cost-minimizing policies, among other management tasks.
According to Malae, CUC is also paying for the repair of available equipment at local shops “which are very happy to oblige especially if we pay our bills.”
He said a U.S. Office of Insular Affairs maintenance program will provide some relief by assigning a highly skilled master mechanic/hydraulic specialist to CUC in December.
