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:
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.
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.
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. Base...
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