Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. for polymer for water treatment at the Hap Cremean Water Plant. The Hap Cremean Water Plant is in the process of preparing to undertake a series of concurrent pilot-scale demonstration studies designed to improve treatment for disinfection. This project is part of a capital improvements project managed by Burgess & Niple, Inc. Among other engineering responsibilities, the consultant team was contracted to perform an evaluation of methods of optimizing the existing treatment processes at the Hap Cremean Water Plant.
One of the purposes of the upcoming pilot-scale demonstration studies is to evaluate the performance of the processes being demonstrated at the pilot-scale level against existing conventional treatment. A series of bench-scale tests were performed by the consultant, in concert with City of Columbus employees, to determine chemical feed rates that best optimize the existing system using chemicals currently used at the Hap Cremean Water Plant. Following this, a second phase of testing was conducted to evaluate alternate chemicals. Among the tests performed as part of this second phase were a series of coagulant-aid polymers.
In order to have a wide variety of polymers to evaluate, the consultant contacted polymer suppliers to obtain samples for this study (list of suppliers attached on waiver form). Each supplier was asked to provide as many samples as they could for consideration. A total of twenty polymers were made available by the suppliers at the time of testing and were used in the test evaluation.
Based on the findings from this phase of bench-scale tests, the consultant recommended that either of the two best performing polymers should next be evaluated at full-scale to further verify performance. The full-scale testing is to be performed on one-half of the overall plant production.
The schedule for this project is critical. The polymer system is proposed to be tested at full-scale in mid-December through mid-January, immediately prior to start-up of the two pilot-scale demonstration studies and subsequent additional bench-scale testing. If this proves to be successful, the use of a coagulant-aid polymer is proposed to be continued through a period of up to one year, concurrent with the pilot-scale demonstration studies.
The contract with the consultant provides for some chemical purchase equivalent to one month's usage at full-scale and half the average plant production. The City needs to purchase polymer for any period of study beyond this initial month of operation. Waiver legislation in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code is being requested.
The funding requested on this legislation is based on solicited bids from the two companies that provided the best performing polymers, dated November 5, 2007 (Solicitation No. SO027074). Two bids were solicited (MAJ:1, FBE:1); two bids were received (MAJ:1, FBE:1). The quotation is on file with the Purchasing Office.
The Department of Public Utilities is recommending award of one contract to the lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder:
Bonded Chemicals, Inc.; CC# 61-1162384, Expires: April 26, 2008, Coagulant-aid Polymer Item# 1, Total Estimated Annual Expenditure: $104,832.00
Passage as an emergency and waiving of competitive bidding is requested so that there will be no interruption during the demonstration studies and subsequent additional bench-scale testing. After testing during 2008, specifications will be developed and competitively bid for future purchases of polymer.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Division of Power and Water did not budget funds for this project. Remaining appropriation will be sufficient to cover the expense. There have been no expenditures for this type of contract in the last two years.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to establish a contract with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. for the purchase of polymer for the Division of Power and Water, to waive the provisions of competitive bidding, to authorize the expenditure of $104,832.00 from the Water System Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($104,832.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities wishes to enter into a contract with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. for Polymer as a coagulation agent for water treatment at the Hap Cremean Water Plant. The Hap Cremean Water Plant is in the process of preparing to undertake a series of concurrent pilot-scale demonstration studies designed to improve treatment for disinfection byproduct precursors, primarily dissolved organic compounds. This project is part of a capital improvement project managed by Burgess & Niple, Inc. Among other engineering responsibilities, the consultant team was contracted to perform an evaluation of methods of optimizing the existing treatment processes at the Hap Cremean Water Plant, and
WHEREAS, one of the purposes of the upcoming pilot-scale demonstration studies is to evaluate the performance of the processes being demonstrated at the pilot-scale level against existing conventional treatment. A series of bench-scale tests were performed by the consultant, in concert with City of Columbus employees, to determine chemical feed rates that best optimize the existing system using chemicals currently used at the Hap Cremean Water Plant. Following this, a second phase of testing was conducted to evaluate alternate chemicals. Among the tests performed as part of this second phase were a series of coagulant-aid polymer trials, and
WHEREAS, in order to have a wide variety of polymers to evaluate, the consultant contacted polymer suppliers to obtain samples for this study. Each supplier was asked to provide as many samples as they could for consideration. A total of twenty polymers were made available by the suppliers at the time of testing and were used in the test evaluations, and
WHEREAS, based on the findings from this phase of bench-scale tests, the consultant recommended that either of the two best performing polymers should next be evaluated at full-scale to further verify the performance of a coagulant-aid. The full-scale testing is to be performed on one-half of the overall plant production, and
WHEREAS, the schedule for this project is critical, thus this ordinance is being submitted as an emergency measure. The coagulant-aid polymer system is proposed to be tested at full-scale in mid-December through mid-January, immediately prior to start-up of the two pilot-scale demonstration studies and subsequent additional bench-scale testing. If this proves to be successful, the use of a coagulant-aid polymer is proposed to be continued through a period of up to one year, concurrent with the pilot-scale demonstration studies, and
WHEREAS, the contract with the consultant provides for some chemical purchase equivalent to one month's usage at full-scale and half the average plant production. The City needs to purchase polymer for any period of study beyond this initial month of operation. Waiver of competitive bidding in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code is being requested, and
WHEREAS, funding is based on quote date November 5, 2007 from Bonded Chemicals, Inc. and the quoted prices on file with the Purchasing Office, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to establish a contrat with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare, now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized and directed to establish a contract with Bonded Chemicals, Inc. for the purchase of polymer for the Division of Power and Water, in accordance with specifications on file.
Section 2. That the funding for this legislation is based on quote dated November 5, 2007 from Bonded Chemicals, Inc. and is on file with the Purchasing Office.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $104,832.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same hereby is authorized from the Water System Operating Fund, Fund No. 600,
OCA 602474
Object Level 1: 02
Object Level 03: 2204
Section 4. That this Council finds it in the best interest to waive the provisions of competitive bidding in accordance with Columbus City Code Section 329.27.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, where is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure, which shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.