FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Riaz Moinuddin, Director of Operations & Maintenance
SUBJECT:
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CHEMICAL SUPPLIER AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIQUID ANIONIC POLYMER, SPECIFICATION NO. SSJ 2945
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Sole Source Chemical Supplier Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. for the purchase of Liquid Anionic Polymer, Specification No. SSJ 2945, for a five-year term beginning November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2031, for a total unit price of $5.18 per active pound delivered plus applicable sales tax for a total estimated first-year cost of $600,880; and
B. Approve an annual unit price contingency increase of up to 5%, estimated at $30,044 for the first year.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) uses anionic polymer and ferric chloride at Plant Nos. 1 and 2 to improve the removal of suspended solids and organic material during primary treatment. This process, known as chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), improves settling and reduces the organic and solids loading transferred to secondary treatment.
Secondary treatment is more energy intensive than primary treatment because additional organic loading requires increased aeration. Increasing primary solids capture also improves overall solids management by directing more organic material to anaerobic digestion, where it can contribute to digester gas production. Addition of anionic polymer supports effective CEPT operation therefore supports treatment capacity, energy efficiency, solids management, and overall plant reliability.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Meet volume and water quality needs for the GWRS
• Comply with environmental permit requirements
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
PROBLEM
The existing liquid anionic polymer contract expires on October 31, 2026, with no renewal options remaining. A new agreement is required to maintain an uninterrupted supply of polymer for CEPT operation at both treatment plants.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a five-year Sole Source Chemical Supplier Agreement with Polydyne, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of liquid anionic polymer, including an annual unit price contingency of up to 5%.
TIMING CONCERNS
The existing contract expires on October 31, 2026. A new agreement must be in place by November 1, 2026 to ensure continuity of chemical supply and CEPT operation at both treatment plants.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Without an adequate supply of anionic polymer, primary solids and organic removal would decrease, increasing the loading to secondary treatment. This would increase aeration energy requirements, treatment costs, and secondary solids production while reducing the amount of primary organic material available for anaerobic digestion and digester gas production.
During periods of high loading, reduced primary treatment performance could also limit secondary treatment capacity and adversely affect secondary effluent quality, increasing the risk of noncompliance with discharge permit requirements and affecting the quantity or quality of water available to support the Ground Water Replenishment System (GWRS).
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Request for Information (RFI) was issued on March 10, 2026, to identify suppliers offering anionic polymer products and services compatible with OC San’s treatment facilities. Two vendors responded to the RFI, Polydyne, Inc. and Usalco, LLC. Polydyne, Inc., the incumbent vendor, provided responses that demonstrated their ability to provide liquid anionic polymer that meets product criteria and delivery requirements for both treatment plants. Usalco, LLC confirmed that their products cannot meet OC San’s chemical specification requirements. Staff recommends issuing a Sole Source Chemical Supplier Agreement to Polydyne, Inc. for a period of five (5) years and reevaluating the market at that time for any changes prior to contract expiration.
The total estimated annual usage is 116,000 active pounds of anionic polymer for a total budgeted amount of $600,880.
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget FY 2026-27 and 2027-28, Section 6, Page 116 and 120, Plant Nos. 1 and 2 Operations, Supplies) and the budget is sufficient for the recommended action.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Chemical Supplier Agreement, Specification No. SSJ 2945
• Presentation