Item 325/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Samuel Kim
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Public Works
Date: 8/11/2026
Subject: Authorization for the issuance of an emergency purchase order with Sulzer for booster pump electrical equipment replacement services at the Lampson Reservoir and Booster Pump Station. (Cost: Not to exceed $75,636) (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To receive City Council approval of an emergency purchase order with Sulzer for booster pump electrical equipment replacement parts for the Lampson Reservoir and Booster Pump Station.
BACKGROUND
The Garden Grove Public Works Department’s Water Services Division owns and operates the water system that provides water services throughout the city. The Division’s water production facilities require functioning booster pumps to keep water moving through the City’s distribution system at the pressure needed to meet system demands such as daily use and fire protection. Booster pump operations rely on a piece of equipment called a variable frequency drive (VFD), which controls the pump’s speed. A failure of VFDs would affect the safety, health, and property of the community at large.
The Water Services Division is requesting the issuance of an emergency purchase order with Sulzer for booster pump electrical equipment replacement. During a recent site visit at the Lampson Reservoir and Booster Pump Station, City staff and a technician from Sul zer, the company that originally installed this equipment, found that the cabinet housing for two VFDs was running noticeably hotter than normal. Upon closer inspection, they identified that the VFDs, which serve two large booster pumps, are exhibiting sig ns of degradation and the cooling fans are not performing adequately. This creates an elevated risk of equipment failure that would present an immediate threat to public health, safety, and welfare. If either VFD were to fail unexpectedly, the affected boo ster pump would go offline, which would disrupt water service and firefighting capability until repairs can be made. With the City currently experiencing its peak water demand season, these pumps play an increased critical role for meeting both daily and fire flow demands.
Item 325/2026
DISCUSSION
Sulzer installed the original drives in 2012 and still holds the shop order records and as-built drawings for both cabinets. As an authorized service provider for the required Toshiba VFAS3 replacement drives, Sulzer can move directly to engineering and fabrication, while another vendor would first need to survey the site and reverse -engineer the existing installation, adding significant lead time. Sulzer has quoted 4 to 6 weeks lead time to complete work once an order is plac ed; a standard competitive bidding process would add several weeks or months to this timeline, extending the City's exposure to failure. Staff therefore recommends dispensing with the bidding process pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code Section
2.50.060 (B).
There is currently no blanket purchase order with Sulzer to cover this service. Therefore, staff is seeking to designate these costs as emergency repairs and issue an emergency purchase order in the amount of $75,635.69 to accommodate sales tax, tariff-related cost adjustments disclosed in the Sulzer quotes, and any unforeseen field conditions. During the replacement process, the Sulzer technicians will be able to thoroughly inspect all components of the motor control centers and address any unanticipated work required, which may result in additional costs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. The estimated total for these repairs is $75,635.69 to accommodate sales tax, tariff -related cost adjustments, and a ny unforeseen field conditions. This amount will be absorbed in the City’s adopted F iscal Year 2026-27 Water Enterprise Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve dispensing with the bidding process pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code Section 2.50.060 (B); and
Authorize the Finance Director, or designee, to issue an emergency purchase order to to Sulzer in the amount of $75,635.69 for variable frequency drive electrical equipment replacement services at the Lampson Reservoir and Booster Pump Station.
By: Samuel Kim, P.E.,
Public Works Director
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Quote # 05272026CS
2. Quote # 05272026CS-2