Report Prepared by: Jeremy Geiger, Interim Public Works Supervisor, Water Quality Control Division
Title
SUBJECT: Agreement with BSK Associates for General Laboratory Services
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider entering into a three (3) year agreement with BSK Associates (BSK) for general laboratory testing services.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion awarding a three-year agreement with BSK for general laboratory testing services; and, authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to execute all the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by Council; or
3. Deny; or
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 3.04, Article III - Purchases Over Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars, Section 3.04.120 - Written Contract.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2018-19 Proposed Budget.
DISCUSSION
Under federal and state law, the City of Merced is required to perform a variety of laboratory tests for water, wastewater, and biosolids. The Wastewater Treatment Facility's (WWTF) in-house laboratory is certified to perform some of these standard water and wastewater tests. The majority of the tests performed at the WWTF are for conventional pollutants. These pollutants; such as suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms and pH levels, are normally found in domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewaters.
Federal and state regulations also require the City to test for non-conventional pollutants. These pollutants may be toxic in nature, such as heavy metals that include lead, copper, and zinc, as well as organics, such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE), methylene chloride, and acetone. The City's laboratory is not equipped for testing non-conventional pollutants. These tests are more complex and require sophisti...
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