June 23, 2026
Public Works
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Tawfic N. Halaby, Deputy Director of Public Works
Subject:
Task Authorization for Installation of Sodium Hypochlorite Tanks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $586,532 expenditure is funded by the Wastewater Fund (Account String:
40322931-400708-22230).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is recommending City Council approval of a
resolution for Veolia to issue subcontracts to W. R. Forde Associates and Calcon Systems for the work associated
with the Sodium Hypochlorite Tank Replacement project.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to AUTHORIZE the issuance of a
Task Authorization to Veolia for the Sodium Hypochlorite Tank Replacement project in an amount not to exceed
$586,532 ($488,777 plus 20% contingency) – Public
Works Department (Tawfic Halaby/510-620-5482).
DISCUSSION:
Sodium hypochlorite is used at the City’s wastewater treatment plant as a disinfectant.
The City’s three existing sodium hypochlorite storage tanks have exceeded their service life, and one tank is experiencing bottom leakage that is beyond repair. Replacing the tanks will ensure continued reliable disinfection operations, reduce environmental and safety risks associated with the failing equipment, provide enhanced monitoring AGENDA
REPORT
June 23, 2026
capabilities, and support continued regulatory compliance at the wastewater treatment plant.
All three existing tanks were installed at the same time and, consistent with manufacturer recommendations, all three tanks should be replaced at the same time.
Due to extended lead times for tank fabrication, the City executed a Task Authorization on July 29, 2025, for fabrication of the replacement tanks. The new tanks have since been fabricated and delivered to the wastewater treatment plant. The next phase of the project is to remove the existing tanks and install the new tanks and related equipment.
The proposed Task Authorization is for demolition and disposal of the existing tanks and associated piping systems, and installation of the new tanks with new piping systems, electrical conduits, wiring, and ancillary equipment. Ancillary equipment includes level sensors, ladders, displays, reverse float gauges, and other components needed for the new sodium hypochlorite tank system to operate safely and reliably.
On February 20, 2026, the City posted a request for bids on BidsOnline, and 28 prospective bidders downloaded the bid information. On March 27, 2026, the City received three bids from Corcus, Pacific Infrastructure, and W. R. Forde Associates (Attachment 1).
The bids received were as follows, in increasing order:
W. R. Forde Associates — $395,260
Corcus — $447,500
Pacific Infrastructure — $476,600
City staff and Veolia reviewed the bids and determined that W. R. Forde Associates submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid.
The new sodium hypochlorite tanks must also be connected to and integrated with the City’s existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This integration is necessary so that City staff and Veolia can monitor tank levels, receive operational data, and control related valves and equipment used in the sodium hypochlorite disinfection process.
While W. R. Forde Associates’ scope includes demolition of the existing tanks and installation of the new tanks, the SCADA programming and commissioning work requires specialized control system expertise. Calcon Systems, the firm that recently completed the City’s SCADA system upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant, provided a quote in the amount of $24,291 to program and commission the controller for the new sodium hypochlorite tank system. This work will allow the new tanks, valves, level sensors, displays, and related equipment to operate properly within the existing SCADA system. The quote was reviewed and determined to be fair and reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and Calcon Systems’ familiarity with the City’s wastewater treatment plant SCADA system.
June 23, 2026
In accordance with the City’s contract with Veolia, Veolia is responsible for construction management of City wastewater projects at a charge of 16.5 percent of the construction cost and 9 percent of any contingencies. For this project, Veolia’s construction management fee will apply to the construction contract with W. R. Forde Associates and to Calcon Systems’ SCADA integration work, because both are necessary components of the sodium hypochlorite tank replacement project. The applicable markup will also be applied to any contingency work that the City directs W. R. Forde Associates or Calcon Systems to perform. These combined costs are reflected in the table below as the total project cost.
The total estimated cost of this project, if awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, is as follows:
W. R. Forde Associates $395,260
Calcon Systems $ 24,291
Subtotal $419,551
Veolia Markup (16.5%) $ 69,226
Total Construction Cost $488,777
Contingency – 20% $ 97,755
Total Project Cost $586,532
City staff is requesting the City Council adopt the resolution to authorize issuing the Task Authorization to Veolia for the Sodium Hypochlorite Tank Replacement project with a total project cost not-to-exceed $586,532 without prior City Council approval.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – BidsOnline Report
Attachment 2 – Bid Analysis
Attachment 3 – Resolution
Attachment 4 – Task Authorization