Title
Resolution to Approve Bulk Chemical Purchases for the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants of Sodium Hypochlorite (Olin - approximately $106,500.00/year), Hydrofluorosilicic Acid (Univar- approximately $23,800.00/year), Pebble Quicklime (Graymont - approximately $719,500.00/year) and Ferric Chloride (PVS Technologies - approximately $50,320.00/year) (estimated $830,620.00/year)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to authorize the purchase of bulk chemicals (sodium hypochlorite, hydrofluorosilicic acid, pebble quicklime, ferric chloride), which are used in treatment processes at the City’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTP and WWTP).
In 2020, bids were obtained through the Mid-Michigan Drinking Water Consortium Bulk Chemicals Bid. The Consortium was formed in 2014 by mid-Michigan area utilities that soften drinking water with quicklime, to address chemical supply quality, competitive pricing, and residual disposal.
Consortium members include: Lansing Board of Water and Light; City of Battle Creek; City of Jackson; City of Howell; City of Ann Arbor; City of Fenton; East Lansing Meridian Water & Sewer Authority; Plainfield Township; City of Owosso; Marion-Howell-Osceola- Genoa Water Authority; and Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.
Sodium Hypochlorite
The WTP uses sodium hypochlorite to maintain disinfection of drinking water in the distribution system. The estimated cost of this chemical for FY21 is $106,500.00/year for approximately 150,000 gallons.
Sodium Hypochlorite bids were as follows:
1. Olin, $0.71 per gallon
2. JCI Jones, $0.728 per gallon
3. Alexander Chemical, $0.739 per gallon
4.
Hydrofluosilicic Acid
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has established that 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of fluoride in drinking water is safe, healthy, and effective for preventing tooth decay. The City’s source water contains approximately 0.3 mg/L of fluoride. The City uses hydrofluorosilicic acid to adjust the fluoride level to meet CDC’s recommendation. The estimated cost of this chemical for FY21 is approximately $23,800.00 for 68 tons.
Hydrofluosilicic Acid bids were as follows for 40,000 lbs shipped:
1. Univar, $350.00 wet ton, 23% basis
2. Alexander Chemical, $373.78 per ton
3. PVS , $435.00 per ton
Pebble Quicklime
The WTP uses quicklime for softening drinking water. The WWTP uses quicklime for biosolids conditioning to meet regulatory requirements for land application. The estimated cost for this chemical in FY21 is $618,770.00 for the WTP (approximately 4,300 tons) and $100,730.00 for the WWTP (approximately 700 tons), which totals $719,500.00.
Pebble Quicklime bids were as follows:
1. Carmeuse, $130.00 per ton
2. Graymont Western, $143.90 per ton
The lowest priced bidder was not chosen because they received the lower score from all participating utilities based on the evaluation criteria of:
1. Price competitiveness (30%)
2. Experience (30%)
3. Delivery Requirements (30%)
4. Content of Proposal (10%)
Ferric Chloride
The WWTP uses ferric chloride for the removal of phosphorus to levels specified in its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Especially during summer months, phosphorus removal becomes critical and the addition of ferric chloride improves the plant’s ability to remove phosphorus from the wastewater. Violation of NPDES permit requirements could result in significant fines of up to $25,000.00 per day per occurrence being imposed on the City by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The estimated cost for this chemical in FY21 is $50,320.00 for approximately 85 dry tons.
The one bid for Ferric Chloride was:
1. PVS Technologies for $592.00 per dry ton/ $224.96 per liquid ton
It is recommended that purchase orders be awarded to Olin, Univar Chemical, Graymont, and PVS Technologies as the lowest responsible bidders, respectively, for sodium hypochlorite, hydrofluorosilicic acid, pebble quicklime, and ferric chloride for FY21.
It is also recommended that the purchasing agreement may be renewed for three (3) additional (1) year periods, provided that by 90 days prior to the end of the contract both parties agree to an extension at no increase in cost if the vendor is agreeable, the City deems it to be in the best interest, and funding is appropriated by Council. It is also recommended that should chemicals required for operations not be available from the primary vendor that a purchase order be allowable to supply the plants from the next highest bidder.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funds are specifically budgeted for these purchases in the FY21 Operation and Maintenance Budget for the Water Supply System Fund and FY21 Operation and Maintenance Budget for the Sewage Disposal System, which are pending Council approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Sarah Page, Drinking Water Quality Manager, Water Treatment Services
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP) uses sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant in the treatment of drinking water, hydrofluorosilicic acid to adjust the fluoride level in drinking water to meet the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation for the prevention of tooth decay, and pebble quicklime to soften the drinking water to meet water quality objectives;
Whereas, The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) uses pebble quicklime to condition biosolids to meet regulatory requirements for land application and ferric chloride to remove phosphorus in treated wastewater to regulated levels;
Whereas, Olin, Univar Chemical, Graymont, and PVS Technologies were the lowest responsible bidders in the 2020 Mid-Michigan Drinking Water Consortium Bulk Chemicals invitation to bid;
Whereas, Funding for the purchase of these chemicals is available in the FY21 Operation and Maintenance Budget for the Water Supply System Fund and the FY21 Operation and Maintenance Sewage Disposal System, if so approved by City Council; and
Whereas, Olin, Univar Chemical, Graymont, and PVS Technologies comply with the requirements of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance;
RESOLVED, That Council accepts the bid of Olin for $0.71 per gallon for sodium hypochlorite, Univar for $350.00 per ton for hydrofluorosilicic acid, Graymont for $143.90 per ton for pebble quicklime, and PVS Technologies for $592.00 per dry ton for ferric chloride, for the WTP and WTWP in accordance with the terms of the 2020 Mid-Michigan Drinking Water Consortium Bulk Chemicals Bid;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to enter into a purchasing agreement with in accordance with this resolution at a projected cost of $106,500.00 with Olin for sodium hypochlorite for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to enter into a purchasing agreement in accordance with this resolution at a projected cost of $23,800.00 with Univar for hydrofluorosilicic acid for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to enter into a purchasing agreement in accordance with this resolution at a projected cost of $719,500.00 with Graymont for pebble quicklime for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to enter into a purchasing agreement in accordance with this resolution at a projected cost of $50,320.00 with PVS Technologies for ferric chloride for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to renew each of the purchasing agreements for up to three one-year periods, provided both parties agree to the extension and subject to the availability of funding;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to accept the next lowest responsible bidder if any of the vendors are unable to furnish adequate supplies during the life of their contract; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.