Title
CONSIDERATION AND AWARDING OF BID 1516-62 FOR THE PURCHASE OF POLYMER FOR THE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Norman Water Reclamation Facility (NWRF) installed solids dewatering and thickening equipment during the Sludge Handling Improvements Project (NUA Contract K-0607-38) in 2010. The current Phase 2 Construction Project will install two more dewatering units which began operations in August of this year. In April, polymer vendors were invited to try out their products to determine which product would perform best in the centrifuge equipment based on cost per pound and moisture content. The focus is to have a final product with 25% or less moisture content.
DISCUSSION: The following polymer companies were contacted for testing and bidding:
Polydyne, Inc., - Riceboro, Georgia
Fort Bend Manufacturing - Stafford, Texas
Nalco Corporation - Sugarland, Texas
Southwest Chemical Company - McAlester, OK
Bids were advertised in accordance with the Competitive Bidding Act and bid packets (Bid# 1516-62) were also mailed to Southwest, Nalco, Fort Bend and Polydyne. Nalco and Fort Bend Manufacturing did not submit a bid for consideration. Southwest Chemical and Polydyne formulas worked in thickening waste activated solids as well as dewatered digester solids. Polydyne it is less expensive than Southwest based on cost per pound.
Funds in the amount of $140,000 for polymer purchases are budgeted in Norman Utilities Authority Water Reclamation Fund, Bio-Solids-Operating Chemicals (032-5545-432.31-08). Actual cost fluctuates each year dependent upon rain, construction, etc.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Norman Utilities Authority accept the bids and award the bid for the purchase of polymer for sludge dewatering and thickening to Polydyne, Inc., in the amount of $0.873 per pound as the overall best bidder meeting specifications.