REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: PETER A. MARACCINI, PE, PHD, Licensed Engineer Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Digester Centrifugal Pump Replacement at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 12400504-1) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 2, Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2. Approve the award of a purchase contract to Rockwell Engineering and Equipment Company, Inc., of Tustin, California, for the purchase of seven (7) heated sludge pumps in the amount of $107,305.51 for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 2, Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for the Digester Centrifugal Pump Replacement (Project); award a purchase contract to Rockwell Engineering and Equipment Company, Inc., of Tustin, California, for the purchase of seven (7) heated sludge pumps for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF), in the amount of $107,305.51; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign and execute the purchase agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Wastewater Management Division (WMD) is requesting Council approval to purchase seven (7) heated sludge pumps for the total amount of $107,305.51. The existing pumps that are currently in place at the RWRF have been discontinued by the manufacturer, are no longer supported by the original manufacture or aftermarket suppliers, and WMD staff can no longer purchase replacements parts to repair the pumps.
BACKGROUND
At the RWRF, digester centrifugal pumps help circulate sludge through a heat exchanger, keeping it at the right temperature for bacteria to break down organic matter, similar to how a human stomach works. Meanwhile, supernatant drain pumps move the sludge to a holding digester for the dewatering.
The pumps currently in use, Blackmer/Chesterton vortex pumps, are no longer supported by the manufacturer. This situation poses significant challenges for WMD, compelling them to resort to various makeshift solutions, including welding and epoxy patching, in efforts to sustain the functionality until a suitable replacement is identified.
A Notice Inviting Bids was public on January 29, 2024, in the Fresno Business Journal and posted to the City’s Planet Bids website. The Notice Inviting Bids was sent to two building exchanges and specifications were distributed to eleven prospective bidders. Two sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on February 20, 2024. The bid proposals ranged from $107,305.51 to $140,000.16 with Rockwell Engineering and Equipment Company, Inc., determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with the bid amount of $107,305.51. The bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on April 24, 2024.
The staff determination was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on March 26, 2024. Staff recommends that the City Council award a purchase contract to Rockwell Engineering and Equipment Company, Inc., of Tustin, California in the amount of $107,305.51. Their bid price is 57% below the Engineer’s Estimate of $250,000.00.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the contracting documents as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff have performed an environmental assessment for the Project and have determined it is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), which exempts the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. The purchase and installation of new heated sludge pumps at the RWRF will not expand the use of the existing facility, nor will it relocate any existing facilities or structures. The Project is merely the purchase and installation of seven (7) new heated sludge pumps to replace the existing heated sludge pumps that are no longer reliable at the RWRF. The pumps are used to recirculate sludge through a heat exchanger to maintain proper temperature for the bacteria to digest organic materials, like a human stomach. The new heated sludge pumps will be installed in the same location and will have the same purpose and capacity as those being replaced. As such, replacement work for the seven pumps is exempt under Section 15302/Class 2. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference according to Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108 was not implemented as the two bidders are not local businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT
This purchase has no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this purchase is included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501. The purchase pertains to Council District 3.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Environmental Assessment
Attachment 2 - Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 3 - Sample Product Contract
Attachment 4 - Vicinity Map