FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Rob Thompson, Assistant General Manager
SUBJECT:
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AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF ANIONIC POLYMER, SPECIFICATION NO. C-2021-1252BD
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Chemical Supplier Agreement to Polydyne, Inc. for the purchase of Liquid Anionic Polymer, Specification No. C-2021-1252BD, for the period of November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022, for a unit price of $4.50 per active pound delivered, plus applicable sales tax for a total estimated annual amount of $685,125, with four, one-year renewal options; and
B. Approve an annual unit price contingency of 10%.
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BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) has used anionic polymer for over 30 years. Anionic polymer and ferric chloride are added to the primary influent at both plants to enhance the removal of organics and improve the settling of suspended solids during primary treatment. This is referred to as the chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) process. It is estimated that 140,000 active pounds of anionic polymer will be required during this contract period.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Meet volume and water quality needs for the GWRS
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
PROBLEM
Solids and organics not captured and removed in the primary treatment process are converted into biological solids in the secondary treatment process which are more difficult to digest and more costly to dewater.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue with the addition of anionic polymer which has been effective in improving solids removal efficiencies in the primary clarifiers resulting in reduced operating costs and increased biogas production.
TIMING CONCERNS
The current contract expires October 31, 2021, with zero remaining renewals.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If anionic polymer is not used in the primaries, it will result in increased solids and organics loading to the secondary treatment plants resulting in increased energy usage and operating costs. In addition, less solids captured from the primary treatment process reduces digester gas production.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OC San selected a 2-step procurement as the method of choice for this commodity. The first step was issuing a Request for Qualifications on May 11, 2021 via PlanetBids. A non-mandatory pre-qualification meeting was conducted virtually on May 26, 2021. Responses were due on June 11, 2021. OC San received one responsive Statement of Qualification along with necessary lab samples. The samples submitted by Polydyne passed the bench scale testing (performed by OC San Lab) and the firm was found responsive on their submittal.
Summary information on the Anionic Polymer bid is as follows:
Bidder Polymer Type Amount of Bid
Polydyne, Inc. WE-1145 $4.50 per active pound
Staff recommends award of a Chemical Supplier Agreement to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Polydyne Inc., for the purchase of Anionic Polymer.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with authority levels of the OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted in the Operating Budget, Division 830, Supplies (Section 6, p.84) and Division 840, Supplies (section 6, page 88).
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Draft Chemical Supplier Agreement
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