Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Trevor M. A. Fisher
Department: Public Works Division: Water & Wastewater Operations
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO APPROVE Third Amendment to Agreement between Broward County and Polydyne Inc. for Polymer, Contract No. OPN2118441B1, to provide an additional five one-year renewals through August 19, 2029, increase the unit price for each renewal period, and to increase the maximum not-to-exceed amount by $8,366,531 for a new maximum not-to-exceed amount of $14,684,530, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute same. (Commission District 2)
body
Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with the Broward County Administrative Code, Section 21.53, a County contract shall not exceed five years in duration without the express approval of the Board.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides for polymer used in the treatment and disposal of sludge and wastewater at the North Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
August 20, 2019, Item No. 19-204
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES OPERATIONS DIVISION AND THE PURCHASING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
Broward County conducted a competitive solicitation for Polymer, Solicitation No. OPN2118441B1, which was awarded to Polydyne, Inc., dated August 20, 2019 (the “Agreement”) as a two-year initial term contract with three one-year renewals for a total potential contract term of five years. This contract was based on a product pre-qualification testing process by prospective vendors. Three vendors signed up to participate in the testing process, only two vendors performed the preliminary trial tests, and only one vendor participated in the live production test. The results of the live production test became the technical specifications which were advertised competitively. Polydyne, Inc. was the only vendor to respond to the solicitation.
Polymer is a critical component in the processing of wastewater at the North Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (NRWWTP). Over 80 million gallons of wastewater is processed daily. The process of treating and disposing of wastewater is regulated by the State of Florida and the NRWWTP operates under a state regulated permit. The permitted method of sludge disposal for the NRWWTP requires the dewatering of anaerobic digested sludge using belt filter presses. There is a total of nine belt presses at the NRWWTP and the polymer is used to separate the water from the sludge in the belt press process. The remaining anaerobic digested sludge is then safely disposed of at either pre-approved land application sites (composting included) or pre-approved landfill locations. NRWWTP processes up to 300 wet tons of sludge per day through this method.
On June 24, 2022, the Director of Purchasing approved Amendment No. 1 which increased the unit price for Year 4 of the contract from $1.17 per pound to $1.48 per pound and approved a contract threshold increase of $314,379.
On August 11, 2023, the Director of Purchasing approved Amendment No. 2 which increased the unit price for Year 5 of the contract from $1.48 per pound to $1.55 per pound and approved a contract threshold increase of $70,989.
Polymer has a very limited vendor base. Staff received as good or better pricing than the other local governmental agencies without having to go through the multistage evaluation/procurement process which includes testing polymers under specific conditions before the Division can move forward with the procurement. A comparison of the contract prices paid by other local governmental agencies for dewatering polymer was performed (See Exhibit 2). Polydyne’s 5-year proposal of $1.55 for the first year with an incremental increase of 5 cents annually is consistent with the market. This increase is significantly lower than the US Department of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index (PPI) for Chemicals and allied products (Series ID# PCU4246--4246--) 5-year historical increase of 27.6%.
Additionally, staff is in the middle of completing a capital improvement project that specified the currently contracted polymer for the new wastewater centrifuges and belt presses. Changing mid-stream would cause significant delays and change orders.
If approved, this item authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute the proposed Third Amendment to the contract in order to: (i) provide for an additional five one-year renewals through August 19, 2029, for a potential total term of ten years (ii) increase the unit price of polymer for each annual renewal periods and (iii) increase the maximum not-to-exceed amount by $8,366,531, thereby increasing the total maximum not-to-exceed amount to $14,684,530.
Source of Additional Information
Mark Darmanin, Director, Water and Wastewater Operations Division, (954) 831-0960
Alan W. Garcia, P.E., Director, Water and Wastewater Services, (954) 831-0704
Trevor M. A. Fisher, P.E., MBA, Director, Public Works Department, (954) 357-6410
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Each requirement processed against this open-end contract will be funded by the appropriate source at the time of release.