u/Gullible-Read-1398

We have used the Cummins OTEC ATS but they are getting hard to find parts for and the programming is proprietary from Cummins. This is for a business/gov and no I can't use bootleg software.

We are looking at moving towards a COTS ATS, especially at our locations that don't have commercial power. We have 3 locations that are generator only. We are installing 22kw 240 single phase generators, but generally the ATS we have been buying have have been 200 amp rated.

We don't want/need isolation bypass. ASCO seems to only offer a gen to gen ATS in the 7000 series which is expensive. I can't decipher the ABB Zenith or the Siemens Russelectric ATS product manuals to to identify if something is offered.

Any ideas?

My young adult is not diagnosed with anything- but does struggle with social cues and doesn’t like or when other don’t follow the rules. 3.96 GPA UW, 1530 SAT, honors and AP classes. Same sport since 3rd grade, varsity level as a sophomore. Treasurer of drone club at HS, member of state rocketry club, participating in Washington aerospace scholars (UofWash/museum of flight), Rice university “pre college” aerospace space exploration- the road to Mars. 100+ hours volunteering in the elementary school helping teachers prep their classrooms and teaching materials.

Cost is always a factor, but the right environment is more important. How do you figure out if a student is going to be able to be successful at a large stage school with large lectures for the first few years? Is a small classroom always better? Freshman retention and 5 year graduation rates are important to me as we the parents are funding this.

Schools on the list-
CU Boulder
Alabama Huntsville
CalPoly
Georgia Tech
UofWashington
Case Western
Rice
Embry Riddle
Purdue

Maybe RPI, WPI, Stevens - but he might not be a fan of the weather

This isn’t a guy who wants to be in defense or work on planes. He wants to go to outer space.

Is it all walk on/try out? My son is looking at the following colleges:

Rice

Georgia Tech

U of Washington

CalPoly

U of Colorado Boulder

Purdue

I believe all are club programs. He is interested in playing lacrosse in college, but based on his hyper focused academic aspirations (Astro Engineering) and chances of acceptance (Probably not an MIT/Stanford candidate based on extra curriculars)

Cost, academics first and then lacrosse. Does it make sense for him to reach out to the lacrosse clubs during campus tours?

We are looking to replace a rented de jong Duke Virtu machine that is using milk powder with something that makes better drinks, a wider variety and uses fresh milk. Office is a 911 dispatch center, so 24/7/365- M-F weekday staff is 50-60 people, we do have trainings that can have upwards of 50-80 additional people. We are currently charging $1.00-$2.00 per drink and we are selling 200-225 drinks a month. We are planning on NOT charging if we purchase our own machine and purchase consumables from Costco (I think we are paying 30% or so markup on consumables right now)

Visions Espresso seems to be the largest local commercial, but the choices are endless. They will probably see this :)

We will need to put a machine out to bid, I would want to include as long a extended warranty that I can get with bi-annual service. We would take care of daily, monthly and quarterly type of maintenance/cleaning.

Are we in the $5-10k range or $10-$20k range for a machine? I am guessing that we will do 30-40 cups a day M-F and less on weekends. Maybe a surge day or 3 a month to 50-75 cups. We are providing brewed coffee around the building in 2 different locations (90,000sqft) I am sure that a good drink from an automatic machine that is free is going to be a big hit.

If anyone knows a purchasing cooperative that these type of machines are on, that would help. I am fighting the chicken and egg thing. Can't buy direct without an RFP, Can't figure out a budget because I don't know what size we really need.