CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
April 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Chris Diggs, Water Resources Director
SUBJECT: AWARD A BID TO STEP SAVER CA, LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Award a bid to Step Saver CA, LLC for the purchase of sodium chloride, at prices bid, for a term of five-years; and Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase order and any extensions thereto, on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The recommended action will award a purchase order for a five-year term to Step Saver CA, LLC (Step Saver) for the purchase and delivery of sodium chloride (salt). The City uses approximately 652 tons of salt annually to regenerate resin that remove nitrate from groundwater at the Harrison water treatment plant.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439. .
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for the award to Step Saver are available in the adopted FY 2025-26 Water Operations Budget, FD571, Water Operations | CC8129, Water Treatment | Water Treatment. The estimated annual cost is projected to be $250,000 annually. Funding for future years will be included in each respective annual budget submission.
DISCUSSION:
The Harrison water treatment plant removes nitrate from groundwater to meet drinking water standards. In order to regenerate the resin utilized at the plant, it is rinsed in a salt water brine then returned to service. This regeneration process occurs multiple times per day and utilizes approximately 652 tons of salt annually.
In accordance with Section 2-993.1 of the City’s Purchasing Ordinance, staff issued an invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 2026-1002 – for sodium chloride (water treatment salt) on January 28, 2026, through the City’s electronic bidding platform. Staff provided a description of the required salt as well as an approximate annual usage amount. The City solicitation notified 196 potential bidders of which only one proposal was received from Step Saver (Table 1). After a thorough review of Step Saver’s bid, it was determined that they were the sole responsible bidder. Therefore, staff recommends the City Council approve the award of the bid to Step Saver.
Table 1
Step Saver
Year 1
$497.25 price per ton
Year 2
$508.30 price per ton
Year 3
$530.40 price per ton
Year 4
$552.50 price per ton
Year 5
$574.60 price per ton
Prepared by:
Jeannette Luna
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Jeannette Luna
Program Assistant
Award Bid for the purchase of Sodium Chloride