Report Prepared by: Charles Slagter, WWTP Operations Supervisor
Title
SUBJECT: Award Bid to SNF Polydyne for the Supply and Delivery of Cationic Polymer Emulsion for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Annual Amount not to Exceed $700,000 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and Fiscal Year 2024-2025, for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $1,400,000 Through June 30, 2025
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers awarding the bid to SNF Polydyne for the supply and delivery of cationic polymer emulsion for use at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Awarding the bid to SNF Polydyne for the supply and delivery of cationic polymer emulsion in the annual not to exceed amount of $700,000 for Fiscal Years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025; and,
B. Authorizing the Purchasing Supervisor to issue the purchase order(s).
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1111-Competitive bidding, and Merced Municipal Code Chapter 3.04 Article III - the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and contractual services of an estimated value greater than thirty-three thousand dollars ($36,000), the “contract threshold”, shall be made by the purchasing supervisor by written contract with the lowest responsible bidder.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2023/2024 Approved Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) uses cationic polymer in the biosolids dewatering treatment process. Polymer reacts with the solids to help them bind together as floc to dewater efficiently through the centrifuge. The amount of polymer needed for biosolids processing varies each year. On average, the WWTP uses approximately 300,000 pounds of polymer.
The WWTP operations staff has worked with various vendors to find the best blend of polymer that removes solids from the wastewater, which improves the time needed to dry the solids produced in the wastewater. Polymer vendors are required to qualify their product through onsite demonstration and establish over several processing cycles that their product meets the performance criteria for efficient dewatering. Once the vendors have qualified, they are invited to bid through the public bidding process.
The invitation for bids was advertised both in the Merced County Times newspaper and the City’s website. Bids were publicly opened on April 21, 2023. SNF Polydyne was the only bid submitted at $1.93 per pound (with sales tax the price is $2.09 per pound).
Estimating 300,000 pounds of polymer, at $2.09 per pound (with sales tax), WWTP staff is requesting Council approval for the Purchasing Supervisor to issue a purchase order for $700,000 with SNF Polydyne for FY 23/24 and $700,000 for FY 24/25. The actual calculated amount would be $624,000 for FY 23/24, however, due to unforeseen circumstances increased amounts of polymer are required to guarantee centrifuge performance.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Funding is available within the FY 23/24 budget Future year funding will be included as part of the budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vendor Pricing