City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 24, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.H
1 of 4
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Water Resources Subject: Award Purchase Order with Brenntag Pacific, Inc. to Furnish and Deliver Liquid Hydrofluorosilicic Acid
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award Bid #4464 to Brenntag Pacific, Inc. for the purchase of liquid hydrofluorosilicic acid for the Public Works Department.
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Brenntag Pacific, Inc. for liquid hydrofluorosilicic acid for a total amount not to exceed $350,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica’s Water Resources Division operates a multi-barrier treatment process at Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (Arcadia WTP) to provide high-quality, safe, and reliable drinking water for the City’s 93,000+ residents and over 2,700 commercial customers. As part of the multi-barrier treatment process, the Arcadia WTP adds fluoride to the final treated water in compliance with California law. Staff recommends issuing a purchase order with Brenntag Pacific, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $350,000 over a five-year period for the purchase of liquid hydrofluorosilicic acid for the Arcadia WTP.
2 of 4
Discussion
The Arcadia WTP was upgraded in 2010 as part of the Charnock Well Field Restoration Project that restored local groundwater supplies. The multi-barrier treatment process at the Arcadia WTP produces high-quality, safe, and reliable drinking water for the city and consists of green sand filtration, cartridge filtration, reverse osmosis, decarbonation towers (air stripping), chlorine disinfection, and fluoridation. Fluoridation of the city’s drinking water supply to maintain optimal fluoride levels is required by the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, to improve oral health and reduce dental cavities.
The Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project, which will increase overall water treatment plant capacity, efficiency, and safety, is replacing the existing fluoride saturator system with a more reliable liquid hydrofluorosilicic acid system (purchased as 23% solution of H2SiF6) to maintain the City’s standard of high-quality, safe drinking water. This compound is widely used at drinking water treatment facilities throughout the United States.
Vendor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Bidder Brenntag Pacific, Inc.
Evaluation Criteria Price; the ability of the bidder to provide the specified standard require; and the ability of the bidder to provide the desired quantity required.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Bid Data
Date Posted On Advertise In Vendors Date Publicly
Submittals Received
Brenntag Pacific, Inc $3.34/Gallon
Hazma LLC $3.83/Gallon
3 of 4
Posted (City Charter & SMMC) Downloaded Opened
08/18/2023 City's Online
Bidding Site
Santa Monica Daily Press 9 9/14/2023
Best Bidder Justification
Brenntag Pacific, Inc. was selected as the best bidder based on price per gallon.
Environmental Review
The purchase and use of this compound at the City’s Arcadia WTP is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 provides exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. The purchase order would continue the practice of fluoridation as part of the operations at the existing Arcadia WTP. The agreement would not expand or materially change existing facilities or operations.
Therefore, the award agreement is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Water Fund to award a purchase order to Brenntag Pacific, Inc. for the purchase of liquid hydrofluorosilicic acid for the Arcadia WTP.
Purchase Order Request
FY 2023-24
Request Amount Department Account # Future Years Amount Total Contract
Amount
$50,000 50500003.525081 $300,000 $350,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval. 4 of 4
Prepared By: Thomas Poon, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Oaks Initiative Form - Brenntag Pacific, Inc.