Agenda Item Wording:
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Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) - Belt Filter Press Dewatering Unit Rental - Authorize the City Manager to award an emergency contract to Aspen Rentals of Angleton, TX in the amount of $349,868 for the 24-month rental of a belt filter press dewatering unit. Also, authorize the appropriation of $360,000 from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund (431).
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Deadline for Action: 2/5/2023
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number: Ben Litwack, WRF Superintendent, ben.litwack@visalia.city <mailto:ben.litwack@visalia.city>, 713-4671. Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.city <mailto:nick.bartsch@visalia.city>, 713-4052
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager to award an emergency contract to Aspen Rentals of Angleton, TX in the amount of $349,868 for the 24-month rental of a belt filter press dewatering unit. Also, authorize the appropriation of $360,000 from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund (431).
Background Discussion:
The Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) is equipped with two screw presses for dewatering that currently run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to keep up with demand. If either of the two screw presses or the conveyance system malfunctions, biosolids begin backing up through the system. If this backup occurs and is not addressed, critical operations throughout the Plant are affected and will ultimately cause the treatment processes to fail.
If the solids loadings coming into the plant remain as high as they’ve been over the past year and operational improvements are not made, eventually the solids concentrations in the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) will climb to the point where adequate clarification isn’t possible which will trigger a bypassing of the UV system and will put the WRF out of compliance until the problem is resolved. The increased biosolids concentration in the MBR will also lead to increased wear and tear, potentially causing damage that would be costly to repair.
Carollo is currently under contract to design near-term improvements to address the shortcomings in our biosolids dewatering equipment. While Carollo’s scope of work does include the design of a third dewatering screw press alongside the two currently in service, this solution won’t be implemented for an estimated 2 years. Based on current conditions, the need for an additional dewatering unit cannot wait for these improvements to be completed. It is imperative that a stopgap solution be put in place until the near-term improvements are implemented to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations and to preserve the City’s investment in the WRF.
If a portable Belt filter press is rented and implemented, it would clear the current backlog of biosolids in the system and alleviate the strain on the two screw presses that are currently in service and allow our treatment systems to perform within optimal parameters. Once the backlog is cleared, the portable Belt filter press would allow WRF staff to operate one screw press at a time so that adequate preventative maintenance could be performed on the other screw press. Additionally, the ultimate construction and installation of a third screw press, as proposed by Carollo, will require that solids dewatering in the screw presses be stopped for a period of time. The WRF will require a temporary dewatering unit to handle the biosolids during that time. Having a portable belt filter press already in place will ensure that the WRF has a seamless transition when the third screw press is installed.
Staff received 3 quotes for a belt filter press and they are as follows:
1. Aspen Rentals: $13,475/month. The 2-year total is $349,868 with freight and setup/training.
2. W.B.I. Inc.: $14,000/month. The 2-year total is $360,000 with freight and setup/training.
3. Sebright Technologies: $16,466.67/month ($3,800 weekly). The 2-year total is $482,624 with freight and a required sludge grinder rental.
Aspen Rentals had the lowest quote, has rented a belt filter press unit to the City in the past, and is familiar with the specific solids handling needs of the WRF. Aspen Rentals has competitive rental pricing and has a unit that could be available as soon as March 1st. The unit being proposed would nearly double our dewatering capacity in the near term, thus ensuring the necessary production and eventual redundancy needed until the near-term improvements are completed.
Fiscal Impact:
Aspen Rentals has quoted a total price of $349,868 for rental of the belt filter press unit.
The quote includes:
• Rental for 24 months @ $13,475/month
• Freight to and from our location @ $10,434/trip
• 2 days travel time and 2 days of setup and training by a technician @ $1,400/day
Aspen Rentals has noted in their quote that the price may vary on demobilization for an extended rental due to the potential for freight costs to increase, so staff is requesting the approval and appropriation of $360,000 within the Wastewater Enterprise Fund 431.
Prior Council Action: None
Other: None
Alternatives: Competitively select a rental belt filter press provider through the RFB (RFB) process through the City’s Purchasing Department. (Due to the critical nature and timing of this work, this is not recommended. It is also not likely that a vendor will be found that will provide a cheaper rate and have units available.)
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to award an emergency contract to Aspen Rentals of Angleton, TX in the amount of $349,868 for the 24-month rental of a Belt filter press dewatering unit. Also, authorize the appropriation of $360,000 from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund (431).
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachment: Belt Filter Press Rental Quote from Aspen Rentals