City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 28, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Water Resources Division Subject: Award Bid #4512 to Brenntag Pacific, LLC, for the Purchase of 93% Sulfuric Acid for the Water Resources Division
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 # 4512 to Brenntag Pacific, LLC for the purchase of 93% Sulfuric Acid for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Brenntag Pacific, LLC for 93% Sulfuric Acid in the amount not to exceed $218,000 for one year, with four additional one-year renewal option(s) to extend on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed $1,300,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica (City) Water Resources Division is responsible for providing a safe, reliable water supply to Santa Monica’s 93,000+ residents and approximately 2,700 business customers. The City’s local groundwater supply is treated through a multi-barrier treatment system at the Charnock Well Field and at the City’s Arcadia Water Treatment Plant. In addition, the City operates the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP), which leverages stormwater, dry-weather urban runoff, and municipal wastewater to produce purified water that augments the City’s water supply. The City’s advanced water treatment system uses sulfuric acid to adjust pH levels to support the reverse osmosis filtration system at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant and SWIP. A formal Request for Bid (RFB) #4512 was completed for sulfuric acid, and staff recommends awarding RFB #4512 to Brenntag Pacific, LLC and issuing a 2 of 4
first-year Purchase Order (PO) in the amount of $218,000, with four one-year renewal options, for a total amount not to exceed $1,300,000 over a five-year period.
Discussion
The City’s Arcadia Water Treatment Plant treats groundwater through a multi-barrier treatment system to produce safe, high-quality drinking water for Santa Monica’s residential and business customers. In addition, the City’s groundwater supply is augmented with advanced treatment of stormwater and wastewater at SWIP to produce purified water for groundwater recharge. Both of these facilities utilize reverse osmosis filtration to remove dissolved contaminants from the water to produce safe, high-quality water for the community. For the reverse osmosis membranes to perform at optimal levels at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant and SWIP, sulfuric acid (93% concentration) is used to adjust the pH levels prior to treatment through the reverse osmosis membranes. Keeping the pH within the correct range helps protect the equipment and improves overall treatment performance. Request for Bid #4512 was issued to supply sulfuric acid at both of facilities. After evaluation, Brenntag Pacific, LLC was determined to be the best bidder to provide the sulfuric acid required.
Vendor Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Bidder Brenntag Pacific, LLC
Evaluation Criteria Price and References.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Bid Data
Date Posted On Advertise In Vendors Date Publicly
Submittals Received
Brenntag Pacific,
LLC $2.74 per Gallon
$0.00 Freight
Northstar Chemical
dba Pacific Star
Chemical
$2.72 per Gallon
$342.00 Freight
Univar Solutions
USA LLC
$3.80 per Gallon
$0.00 Freight
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Posted (City Charter & SMMC) Downloaded Opened
01/30/2026 City's Online
Bidding Site Santa Monica Daily Press 24 02/27/2026
Best Bidder Justification
Brenntag Pacific, LLC (Brenntag) was selected as the best bidder by an evaluation committee comprised of Water Resources staff, based on price and references.
Brenntag offered the overall lowest price and has supplied sulfuric acid to similar operations and numerous facilities throughout Southern California. In addition, Brenntag provides sulfuric acid to both the Metropolitan Water District and the West Basin Municipal Water District, both of which were contacted and provided positive feedback regarding Brenntag’s service and product.
Environmental Review
The purchase and use of 93% sulfuric acid at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant and SWIP is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) provides an 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 adding 93% sulfuric acid at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant and SWIP to adjust the pH levels of the water prior to treatment through the RO membranes. 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 and Wastewater Funds to award a purchase order to Brenntag Pacific, LLC, for the purchase of 93% sulfuric acid for the Arcadia Water Treat Plant and the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP).
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Purchase Order Request
FY 2025-26
Request Amount
Future Years
Amount Department Account # Total Contract Amount
$200,000 $992,660 50500003.525081 $1,192,660
$18,000 $89,340 51500001.525085 $107,340
$218,000 $1,082,000 $1,300,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Thomas Poon, Engineering Support Services Administrator Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. FY 25-26 Oaks Initiative (Brenntag)
B. FY 25-26 Levine Act (Brenntag)