TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Maria Öberg
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 11, 2026
Approved
Date:
5/18/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Actions Related to the Purchase Order with SNF Polydyne Inc. for Polymers for Co-thickening and Centrifuge Dewatering
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to:
(a) Execute a purchase order with SNF Polydyne Inc. (Riceboro, GA), for the purchase of polymers for co-thickening and centrifuge dewatering beginning on or about July 1, 2026, and ending on or about June 30, 2027, for a not-to-exceed amount of $2,750,000;
(b) Approve a contingency of $300,000 for unanticipated order modifications, subject to the appropriation of funds; and
(c) Exercise up to six one-year options to extend the terms of the purchase order, with the last option ending on or about June 30, 2033, subject to the appropriation of funds.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF), requires polymers that are used in co-thickening primary sludge, waste-activated sludge, and centrifuge dewatering to produce a dryer cake and clearer centrate, which reduces the cost of hauling dewatered material off-site. These polymers are needed to meet the operational and compliance needs for wastewater treatment at the RWF.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/16/26
FILE: 26-703
ITEM: 2.15
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Actions Related to the Purchase Order with SNF Polydyne Inc. for Polymers for Co- thickening and Centrifuge Dewatering
BACKGROUND
The RWF manages the treatment of raw sewage in the South Bay Area. The plant’s operations must meet the requirements of several regulatory permits issued by federal and state agencies. To ensure compliance with Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act, sulphide emissions from engines using digester gas must be regulated. Polymer is added to primary sludge and waste-activated sludge for digestion by the temperature- phased anaerobic digestion process. Polymer is necessary to co-thicken primary sludge and waste-activated sludge from 1% to 4.5-5.5%, which is then pumped to the digesters. Polymer is also used for centrifuge dewatering, where it effectively neutralizes and bridges negatively charged sludge particles to form strong masses of particles known as flocs. Using polymers in these processes optimizes solid-liquid separation, producing a dryer cake and clearer centrate, which is necessary for reducing cost of hauling dewatered material off-site.
ANALYSIS
In March 2026, a competitive Request for Bids was facilitated by the Finance Department to procure these products. The Request for Bids provisioned for a one-year initial term and an additional six one-year options for the City to extend the term. One responsive bid was submitted.
Local and Small Business Enterprise Preference: In accordance with San José Municipal Code Section 4.12.320B, bidders who requested and qualified for the local business preference will be given a 2.5% credit of the cost bid and bidders who requested and qualified for the small business preference will be given an additional
2.5% credit of the cost bid. The sole bidder did not qualify for the local or small business enterprise preference.
Protest: The City’s Request for Bids process included a 10-day protest period that began when the City issued the Notice of Intended Award on April 13, 2026. No protests were received.
Award: Staff recommends award to SNF Polydyne Inc. as the responsive and responsible bidder pursuant to the bidding procedures of the San José Municipal Code, Section 4.12.310B(1).
Approval of this recommendation ensures the City receives these essential products for ongoing operations at the RWF.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Actions Related to the Purchase Order with SNF Polydyne Inc. for Polymers for Co- thickening and Centrifuge Dewatering
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
This memorandum will not require any follow-up from staff.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The recommended purchase order will be funded by the Environmental Services Department Non-Personal/Equipment appropriation in the San José-Santa Clara Treatment Plant Operating Fund in 2026-2027. Future extensions of the purchase order will be subject to the appropriation of funds.
BUDGET REFERENCE
The table below identifies the fund and appropriation to fund the purchase order recommended as part of this memorandum.
Fund
#
Appn.
# Appropriation Name Total
Appropriation
Amount for
Contract
2026-2027
Proposed
Operating
Budget
Page*
Last
Budget
Action
(Date,
Ord. No.)
513 0762 ESD Non-
Personal/Equipment
$64,332,557 $2,750,000 953 N/A
*The 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget was released on May 2, 2026 and is scheduled to be reviewed on June 9, 2026 and adopted on June 16, 2026 by the City Council.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, and the Environmental Services Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the June 16, 2026 City Council meeting.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Actions Related to the Purchase Order with SNF Polydyne Inc. for Polymers for Co- thickening and Centrifuge Dewatering
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
The Treatment Plant Advisory Committee will consider this item on May 28, 2026. A supplemental memorandum with the Committee’s recommendation will be included in the amended City Council meeting agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-003, Agreements/Contracts (New or Amended) resulting in no physical changes to the environment.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
Maria Öberg
Director of Finance
For questions, please contact Fletcher Barnes, Interim Deputy Director of Purchasing, Finance Department, at [email protected].