FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
title
SUNFLOWER PUMP STATION EFFLUENT CHANNEL REPAIR AT PLANT NO. 1, PROJECT NO. FR1-0026
end
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Repair and Replace Services Contract with Structural Preservation Systems, LLC to provide the Sunflower Pump Station Effluent Channel Repair at Plant No. 1 (FR1-0026), Specification No. S-2025-709BD, for a total amount not to exceed $1,944,791; and
B. Approve a contingency of $194,479 (10%).
body
BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) operates the Sunflower Pump Station, which lifts wastewater from deep trunk sewers into the Headworks at Plant No. 1 for treatment. The pump station uses two screw pumps, each with a capacity of 40 million gallons per day, to convey flows from the Sunflower Trunk Sewer into the treatment process.
Wastewater discharged from the pumps flows into concrete effluent channels before entering downstream facilities. These channels operate under high flow velocities and are exposed to wastewater conditions that require protective coatings to preserve structural integrity. OC San last recoated the effluent channels with a polyurethane coating in 2010 and 2011.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with California Public Contract Code Section 20103.8, award construction contract to lowest responsive, responsible bidder
• Maintain a proactive asset management program
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
PROBLEM
The protective coating in both effluent channels at the Sunflower Pump Station has reached the end of its service life and has failed in several areas. The underlying concrete has deteriorated and now requires repair to prevent further damage. Due to the extent of the concrete deterioration, OC San installed temporary support beams in both channels to maintain safe operation.
Construction work in the effluent channels is limited to the dry season because both pumps are required to handle high flows during the winter. During the six-month dry season, OC San can only take one pump out of service at a time, which limits the available window to complete the repairs.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a Repair and Replace Services Contract to rehabilitate both effluent channels at the Sunflower Pump Station during the 2026 dry season.
TIMING CONCERNS
Rehabilitation of the effluent channels is expected to take up to six months to complete. Delaying approval would reduce the available dry-season construction window and increase the risk that the work cannot be completed before the wet season begins.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If this work does not proceed, deterioration of the effluent channels will continue, increasing the risk of structural failure. Continued degradation could disrupt wastewater flow through the Sunflower Pump Station and affect the reliable operation of Plant No. 1.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised on November 6, 2025, for the Sunflower Pump Station Effluent Channel Repair at Plant No. 1 (FR1-0026), Specification No. S-2025-709BD. The following evaluation criteria were described in the RFP and used to determine the most qualified Contractor:
|
CRITERION |
WEIGHT |
|
Qualifications of the Firm |
30% |
|
Proposed Staffing & Project Organization |
30% |
|
Work Plan |
30% |
|
Cost |
10% |
Two proposals were received on December 11, 2025, and evaluated in accordance with OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance by a pre-selected Evaluation Committee consisting of an Engineering Supervisor, a Construction Inspector Supervisor, a Senior Engineer, and an Engineer.
The Evaluation Committee first reviewed and scored the proposals based on all criteria other than cost. Proposals were accompanied by sealed cost proposals. Based on the evaluation results, Structural Preservation Systems, LLC was ranked highest and selected as the most qualified Contractor. The firm demonstrated strong qualifications, relevant experience, and a comprehensive understanding of the work required. Only the cost proposal for Structural Preservation Systems, LLC was opened, as the score differential between the top and second-ranked proposers was such that there would have been no impact on the overall rankings. The evaluation results are summarized in the table below.
|
|
Firm |
Qual. of the Firm (Max 30%) |
Staffing & Organization (Max 30%) |
Work Plan (Max 30%) |
Cost (Max 10%) |
Total Weighted Score (Max 100%) |
|
1 |
Structural Preservation Systems LLC |
27.75% |
27% |
25.13% |
-- |
79.88% |
|
2 |
Tharsos Inc. |
18% |
16.50% |
14.25% |
-- |
48.75% |
Best and Final Offer:
Structural Preservation Systems, LLC was requested to submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) by January 8, 2026. Structural Preservation Systems, LLC submitted its BAFO by the requested date, resulting in a reduced proposed fee. The results are shown in the table below.
|
|
Firm |
Original Cost |
BAFO |
|
1 |
Structural Preservation Systems, LLC |
$1,983,981 |
$1,944,791 |
|
2 |
Tharsos Inc. |
- |
- |
Staff has determined that the final proposed fee is fair and reasonable for the level of effort required and recommends approval of the Repair and Replace Services Contract with Structural Preservation Systems, LLC.
CEQA
The project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 1 categorical exemptions set forth in California Code of Regulations Section 15301. A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the OC Clerk-Recorder after OC San Board of Directors approval of the Service Contract.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This recommendation would be funded under the Repairs and Maintenance line item for the Operations and Maintenance Department (Budget FY 2025-26, Page 33) and the available funding is sufficient for this action.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Repair and Replace Services Contract
SS:lb