Title
Resolution to Approve Purchase of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) for Water Treatment from Tanner Industries, Bid No ITB-4043 ($36,000.00 annually)
Memorandum
The Water Treatment Services Unit uses anhydrous ammonia in the disinfection of drinking water. In 1982 the Water Treatment Plant switched from chlorine disinfection to chloramine disinfection. Chloramines are made on site by reacting anhydrous ammonia with sodium hypochlorite. This switch had several benefits for the city, the most significant of which was the reduction in the amount of trihalomethane compounds in the drinking water. Trihalomethanes are regulated by the United States EPA in the drinking water. Other advantages of chloramine over chlorine are: it gives better control of the general bacteria population in the distribution system; it doesn’t decay quickly so there is disinfection residual throughout the system; there is no chlorine taste in the water. Since 1996 when the ozone facility was built, ozone has been used for pretreatment and chloramine has been used for post treatment, providing the required residual of disinfectant in the distribution system.
Your approval is requested to authorize the purchase of approximately 25 tons of anhydrous ammonia (NH3) at $1,440.00/ton from Tanner Industries. The estimated total cost for the purchase of the anhydrous ammonia is $36,000.00/year.
In response to the City's bid no ITB-4043, the following bids were received:
Tanner Industries - $1,440.00/ton
Airgas - $1,480.00/ton
It is recommended that the resolution be approved to satisfy the Water Treatment Service Unit's requirement of anhydrous ammonia for FY10 from Tanner Industries as the lowest responsible bidder.
It is also recommended that the purchasing agreement be extended for up to three additional years at no increase in cost if the vendor is agreeable, and if the City deems it to be in its best interest.
In the event Tanner Industries is unable to furnish the chemical, it is requ...
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