Title
Report regarding a resolution to rescind the contract authorization for Heimburger and Company and approve a new contract with Univar Solutions USA, LLC. to supply bulk sodium bisulfite (SBS), for Fiscal Year 2026-27, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary agreement. (Brian Schumacker, Water Quality Control Plant Superintendent)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Rescind the prior City Council approval for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 draft purchase agreement with Heimburger and Company for the furnishing of bulk sodium bisulfite (SBS), due to the vendor being non-responsive to the contract execution.
2. Approve a new purchase agreement with Univar Solutions USA, LLC. for the routine supply of bulk sodium bisulfite at the Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) for Fiscal Year 2026-27 in a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $253,425.00.
3. Authorize the City Manager or authorized designee to execute the necessary agreement.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Sodium bisulfite (SBS) is a critical bulk chemical utilized daily at the South San Francisco-San Bruno Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP). SBS acts as a neutralizing agent to remove residual chlorine from treated wastewater before it is safely discharged into San Francisco Bay, ensuring strict compliance with the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The WQCP estimates an annual operational requirement of 155,000 gallons of SBS for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Following the prior City Council approval of the bulk chemical agreements based on the original pre-bid tabulation, contract execution difficulties arose with the low-bid vendor selected for the sodium bisulfite supply, Heimburger and Company. The Bay Area Chemical Consortium (BACC) formally advised city staff that Heimburger and Company was non-responsive to regional contract coordination and compliance requirements across participating agencies. Based on this guidance from the Consortium, staff verified that the vendor remained entirely non-responsive to local contract execution outreach, necessitating their disqualification.
In accordance with BACC guidelines and Section 4.04.040 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC), staff reviewed the secondary bids submitted during the competitive process and moved to the next lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The BACC confirmed Univar Solutions USA, LLC. as the next eligible bidder and has been issued an official award letter by the Consortium.
Univar Solutions USA, LLC. has committed to a contract rate of $1.6350 per gallon for the routine furnishing of bulk SBS. This replaces the previous draft agreement rate of $1.5300 per gallon submitted under the non-responsive Heimburger and Company bid.
As stated above, the City Council has previously, through Resolution 71-2026, approved a purchase agreement with Univar Solutions USA, LLC. for the purchase of bulk sodium hypochlorite solution for Fiscal Year 2026-27 for an estimated annual volume of 195,000 gallons at a rate of $3.52 per gallon, for a total Not-to-Exceed amount of $686,400.00. This additional purchase of bulk SBS will result in a purchase agreement with Univar Solutions USA, LLC. with a total combined Not-to-Exceed (NTE) amount of $939,825.00 for both chemicals.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
The Public Works Department’s Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) Division promotes public health and environmental stewardship. Continuing to fund bulk chemical purchases aligns with the quality of life major focus area by protecting public health and safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
The original agreement with Heimburger and Company carried a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) value of $237,150.00 for 155,000 gallons. Transitioning to Univar Solutions USA, LLC. at $1.6350 per gallon increases the NTE contract baseline to $253,425.00. This administrative adjustment results in a total budget variance of $16,275.00. Adequate funding to cover this chemical procurement variance is available within the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 WQCP operating budget.
CONCLUSION
The WQCP routinely utilizes bulk quantities of chemicals for the treatment of wastewater. The WQCP is a member of the BACC and participates in bidding for the purchase of chemicals necessary for the treatment of wastewater. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution rescinding the contract authorization for Heimburger and Company and approve the new contract with Univar Solutions USA, LLC for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary agreement.