CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 23 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 72-4671- 07-5541
File ID: {{item.tracking_number}}
TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: June 16, 2025
SUBJECT:
Water Quality Control Plant Supply of Liquid Emulsion Polymer – Contract Award RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to approve an alternative purchasing procedure and award a contract to SNF Polydyne, Inc. for the supply of liquid emulsion polymer in the amount of $548,973.94; establish a 10 percent contingency reserve in the amount of $54,900; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount.
BACKGROUND:
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) uses liquid emulsion polymer for the dewatering of biosolids produced during the process of treating wastewater. Polymer is a critical component of the dewatering process. Lowering the water content in biosolids reduces the transportation costs associated with hauling and disposal.
The current supplier, SNF Polydyne, Inc. (SNF Polydyne), has provided proprietary-blended polymers that have been tested and optimized for the WWTP’s biosolids. Staff recommends the continued use of these same polymer blends, Clarifloc WE- 1273 and WE-1728, from SNF Polydyne, since they have consistently demonstrated superior performance and produce the necessary results needed to maintain operations at the WWTP. The testing of different polymer blends from other chemical vendors would be a time and labor-intensive task which may not produce beneficial results.
San Mateo Municipal Code section 3.60.050(b) authorizes procurement without competitive bidding procedures when calling for bids is impracticable, unavailing, or impossible. A contract with SNF Polydyne is appropriate pursuant to these standards since SNF Polydyne is the sole source provider of its polymer blend, Clarifoc WE-1273 and WE-1728. Therefore, staff recommends the purchase of polymer from SNF Polydyne.
The contract includes the supply and delivery of 264,960 pounds of the chemical product.
Contractor Bid Amount Contract Amount
SNF Polydyne, Inc. $1.89/pound + 9.625% Tax $548,973.94 The unit price bid for SNF Polydyne Inc. is $1.89 per pound. The term of the contract is 12 months, and the price is to remain firm for the entire period. Including sales tax and tariffs, the total cost to the City is approximately $548,973.94.
Since the City’s new wastewater treatment plant will be commissioned and operational during the contract term, a 10 percent, or $54,900, contingency is requested to address any increase in the amount of polymer needed as the new facilities become operational.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
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BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding is budgeted annually for the supply of chemicals in the Wastewater Treatment Plant operating budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This Council action is not a project subject to CEQA, because the purchase of liquid emulsion polymer to maintain WWTP operations is a continuing maintenance activity involving the purchase of supplies. (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(2).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Purchase Contract
STAFF CONTACT
Robert Learmonth, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager
[email protected]
650-522-7386
Robert Knox, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Superintendent [email protected]
650-522-7376