FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Riaz Moinuddin, Director of Operations & Maintenance
SUBJECT:
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CENTRAL GENERATION ENGINE NO. 1 INSPECTION AND REPAIRS, SPECIFICATION NO. BSS-2026-728BD
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Sole Source Service Contract with Cooper Machinery Services LLC for inspection and field service repairs to Central Generation (Cen Gen) Engine No. 1, Specification No. BSS-2026-728BD, for a total amount not to exceed $142,923, plus applicable sales tax and freight; and
B. Approve additional allowance funding not to exceed $120,000 for associated repairs that may be required due to the high potential for additional damage identified during disassembly and inspection.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) has eight clean-burning internal combustion engines that are used to generate electricity for both treatment plants. These engines play a vital role in OC San's emissions reduction and South Coast Air Quality Management District permit compliance by converting biogas into electricity and process heat. This engine was rebuilt several years ago by a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vendor with non-OEM parts. It experienced a catastrophic failure. It was later rebuilt by Cooper Machinery Services LLC, but the cylinder liners were not replaced at the time.
On January 27, 2026, Cen Gen at Plant No. 1, Engine No. 1, had a premature failure in cylinder 3. A preliminary investigation determined that the piston had worn into the cylinder liner, causing excessive heat and pressure in the crankcase.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
* 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
* Maintain a proactive asset management program
* Operate and maintain facilities to minimize impacts on surrounding communities, including odor, noise, and lighting
PROBLEM
Due to a leak and significant damage to cylinder ...
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