CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 34 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 72-4671- 05-5281
File ID: {{item.tracking_number}}
TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: June 16, 2025
SUBJECT:
Wastewater Treatment Plant Centrifuge Parts, Service and Repair Services — Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving the award of a three-year agreement with GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. (GEA) for parts, service, and repair services of centrifuges at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $600,000, with two, one-year options to extend at $200,000 each, for a potential not-to-exceed total agreement amount of $1,000,000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement and no-cost time extensions in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
Centrifuges are vital pieces of equipment in the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) plant process. The centrifuges remove water from digested solids to produce a compatible material ("cake") that can then be hauled away to be used for either landfill alternate daily cover or land application. Reducing the liquid content of the cake is critical to reducing the cost of hauling. These GEA/WESTFALIA brand units are the last step in the solids handling process and are crucial to maintaining compliance in operations. Currently, one of the WWTP’s centrifuges is inoperable, a second requires a major service, and the third is due for regular service. If all the centrifuges become inoperable, digested sludge would not be able to be processed.
For these reasons, being able to purchase parts in a timely manner as well as have GEA factory-trained technicians available to perform service is recommended to minimize downtime in the event an operating unit fails. Due to the precise nature of centrifuge operation, it is highly recommended to hire factory-trained technicians to complete these repairs. In the past, repairs have been conducted by third-party vendors with unsatisfactory results. Additionally, one of the centrifuge units is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty which requires service to be performed by factory-trained technicians. GEA/WESTFALIA is the original manufacturer of these units and has factory-trained technicians available locally (Patterson, CA) to conduct service or repairs, both at their facility and on-site through GEA. Staff requested a proposal from GEA for maintaining the three centrifuges.
In accordance with San Mateo Municipal Code Section 3.60.050(b), Council may approve an award of an agreement without competitive bidding when calling for bids would be impracticable, unavailing, or impossible. Here, since GEA/WESTFALIA is the manufacturer of the centrifuges, it is the only provider that has factory-trained technicians available to conduct the service and repairs in a satisfactory manner through GEA. As provided above, the City has used third-party technicians in the past, with unsatisfactory results. Given the urgent nature of getting the centrifuges serviced and repaired with qualified factory-trained technicians, staff recommends for Council adopt a Resolution approving the award of a three-year agreement with GEA for parts, service, and repair of the centrifuges at $200,000 annually, with two optional one-year extensions also at $200,000 per year, for a total potential agreement amount of $1,000,000, and
CITY OF SAN MATEO
authorizing the Public Works Director to execute the agreement and no-cost time extensions.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available in the WWTP operating budget to cover the cost of the agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Approval of an agreement for WWTP centrifuge parts, service, and repair services is categorically exempt from CEQA as an “existing facility,” because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Proposed Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Robert Learmonth, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager
[email protected]
650-522-7386