FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Riaz Moinuddin, Director of Operations & Maintenance
SUBJECT:
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PROCUREMENT OF TWO SPARE RETURN SECONDARY SLUDGE PUMPS AT PLANT NO. 2
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to Flo-Systems, Inc. for the procurement of two spare Return Secondary Sludge pumps at Plant No. 2, for a total amount not to exceed $706,855, including applicable sales tax and freight; and
B. Approve a contingency of $141,371 (20%).
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) Trickling Filter/Solids Contact (TF/SC) facility at Plant No. 2 was constructed under Project P2-90 in 2012. The TF/SC facility is rated for a peak flow of 187mgd. The system includes 12 Return Secondary Sludge (RSS) pumps designed to remove collected sludge from six trickling filter clarifiers and recirculate it back to the solids contact aeration basins. Each clarifier is equipped with two RSS pumps. These pumps are exposed to grit and abrasive materials. Pump failures have the potential to disrupt the clarifier availability and negatively impact the TF/SC process.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
• Maintain a proactive asset management program
• Comply with environmental permit requirements
• Use all practical and effective means for resource recovery
PROBLEM
The lead time to refurbish and replace the RSS pumps is long. OC San does not have spare replacement pumps in inventory. Failure of an RSS pump places the readiness and operational resiliency of the Secondary Clarifier at risk, which has a detrimental impact on the TF/SC process and presents a risk to GWRS water availability from Plant No. 2.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to procure two Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) RSS pumps as spares, including pump material upgrade and rotor dynamic analysis and certification, from Flo-Systems, Inc., to maintain asset reliability, availability, and minimize process downtime or loss of treatment capacity.
TIMING CONCERNS
Given long lead times and the criticality of these RSS pumps, it is essential to procure and maintain two spare pumps on-site to ensure operational readiness.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Failure to procure adequate spare pumps may result in a loss of process capacity and increase the risk impacts to effluent water quality requirements.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
August 2019 – Fairbanks Morse was added to the pre-approved OEM sole source list for pumps and repairs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The OEM of the RSS pump is Fairbanks Morse. Flo-Systems, Inc. is the OEM’s only authorized distributor within OC San’s geographical region. A 20% contingency is requested in the event of pricing changes due to tariffs, delays in placing the order beyond quote availability, or other unforeseeable changes.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget Update FY 2025-26, Page A-18, Emergency Capital Critical Spares for Plant and Collections, Plant No. 2 Maintenance) and the budget is sufficient for this action.
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Date of Approval |
Contract Amount |
Contingency |
|
09/24/2025 |
$706,855 |
$141,371 (20%) |
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
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