FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Riaz Moinuddin, Director of Operations & Maintenance
SUBJECT:
title
SONAR INSPECTIONS & PIPELINE CLEANINGS OF INVERTED SIPHONS AND LARGE DIAMETER PIPELINES, SPECIFICATION NO. S-2025-695BD
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a General Services Contract to Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc. (PPT) dba Sanitation Systems for Sonar Inspections & Pipeline Cleanings of Inverted Siphons and Large Diameter Pipelines, Specification No. S-2025-695BD, for a total amount not to exceed $1,750,000 for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026; with four (4) optional one-year renewal options; and
B. Approve an annual contingency of $175,000 (10%).
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BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) maintains more than 350 miles of gravity sewer pipes in its service area which are cleaned on a scheduled basis consistent with OC San’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). Line segments range in size from 8 inches to 120 inches. Depending on the pipe size and historical issues, cleaning frequencies have been developed and range from every 4 weeks to once every 5 years.
For smaller diameter pipes ranging from 8 inches to 18 inches, cleaning is conducted primarily through hydraulic flushing and vacuuming using a combination sewer cleaning vehicle. For medium diameter pipes ranging from 21 inches to 42 inches, pipes are cleaned mechanically using a cable tethered tire to act as a moving hydraulic scouring plug. Pipes greater than 42 inches are generally designed to be “self-cleaning” by creating internal flow velocities that scour potential sediment and are not regularly cleaned by OC San and are typically assumed to be self-cleaning by design of proper scouring velocity.
The purpose of this General Services Contract is to perform sonar inspections and pipeline cleanings of inverted siphons and large diameter pipelines within OC San’s wastewater collection system where self-cleaning flows are not occurring. The contract provides for both pre and post-cleaning sonar inspections, pipeline debris removal and disposal, and data reporting in high-resolution sonar imagery formats. These activities enable OC San to identify structural defects, quantify sediment accumulation, and optimize cleaning frequency for critical assets.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Protect OC San assets
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
• Maintain a proactive asset management program
PROBLEM
Sonar assessments conducted in recent years have identified increased debris accumulation and sediment buildup in several major large diameter pipes, trunk sewers and inverted siphons. These conditions can reduce hydraulic capacity, cause operational inefficiencies, and elevate the risk of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Existing internal cleaning resources are not sufficient to perform the large-diameter inspections required to maintain system performance and regulatory compliance.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Establish a General Services Contract to provide specialized large-diameter and inverted siphon cleaning and sonar inspection services on both an as-needed and scheduled basis. This contract will enable OC San to proactively identify problem areas and maintain optimal pipeline capacity.
TIMING CONCERNS
N/A
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Failure to perform these inspections and cleanings could result in debris accumulation, reduced flow capacity, and potential SSOs. These issues could increase emergency maintenance costs, negatively affect treatment performance, and potentially lead to regulatory violations.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on September 4, 2025, and proposals were received on October 6, 2025.
Proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria:
|
CRITERION |
WEIGHT |
|
Qualifications of the Firm |
25% |
|
Staffing & Project Organization |
25% |
|
Work Plan |
30% |
|
Cost |
20% |
The evaluation team first reviewed and scored the proposals based on the criteria listed above, excluding the cost.
|
Rank |
Proposer |
Criterion 1 (Max 25%) |
Criterion 2 (Max 25%) |
Criterion 3 (Max 30%) |
Subtotal Score (Max 80%) |
|
1 |
Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc. dba Sanitation Systems |
21% |
20% |
25% |
66% |
|
2 |
Pipe and Plant Solutions, Inc. |
19% |
18% |
20% |
57% |
Both proposals were accompanied by a sealed cost proposal which were opened after scores for the first three (3) criteria were submitted.
|
Rank |
Proposer |
Subtotal Score without cost (Max 80%) |
Cost (Max 20%) |
Total Weighted Score (Max 100%) |
|
1 |
Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc. dba Sanitation Systems |
66% |
20% |
86% |
|
2 |
Pipe and Plant Solutions, Inc. |
57% |
0% |
57% |
The cost proposals received are based on hourly rates for different sizes of pipe and linear foot length along with unit costs for gallons of material dewatered, as well as equipment mobilization and demobilization costs. Cost evaluation was based on sample work scenarios for cleaning and sonar activities which were listed in the Evaluation Procedures of the RFP. The results are below:
|
Rank |
Proposer |
TOTAL COST OF SAMPLE WORK ORDER SCENARIOS |
|
1 |
Performance Pipeline Technologies dba Sanitation Systems |
$422,400 |
|
2 |
Pipe and Plant Solutions, Inc. |
$270,450,000 |
Based on these results, staff recommend approving a General Services Contract to Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc. dba Sanitation Systems.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. The budgeted item is located under the Repairs and Maintenance line item in the Operations and Maintenance Department’s Budget Update for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and the available funding is sufficient for this action.
|
Date of Approval |
Contract Amount |
Contingency |
|
12/17/2025 |
$ 1,750,000 |
$175,000 (10%) |
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• General Services Contract
• Presentation