title
APPROVE FINDINGS AND RATIFY FINAL EXPENSES FOR TEMPORARY PUMPING SERVICES AT THE 14-MILE SANITARY SEWER PUMP STATION
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 which justify and support an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Ratify final expenses of Western Oil Field Supply Company of Bakersfield, California, doing business as Rain4Rent, in the amount of $835,534.88 for all costs related to the rental of wastewater pumping equipment to mitigate a breakdown in pumping capacity at the 14-Mile Sanitary Sewer Pump Station.
It is also recommended that the Acting City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
body
Summary
The Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) is comprised of three enterprise funds including the Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities. The Wastewater Utility features a sanitary sewer collection system of approximately 900 miles of gravity sewer main, 554 miles of lower lateral pipe, 27 pump stations, and 30 miles of pressurized force main that route sewage for treatment at the Regional Wastewater Control Facility (RWCF). The system collects sewage from properties within the City, special districts outside the City, and certain areas within San Joaquin County. The RWCF is an advanced tertiary treatment facility with a 55 million gallon per day capacity and is located adjacent to the San Joaquin River.
The 14-Mile Pump Station (14-Mile Station) provides sanitary sewer pumping services to a large portion of northwest Stockton. A pumping equipment breakdown interrupted normal and safe wastewater pumping operations that convey flows to the RWCF for treatment and discharge. In accordance with Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 and the City Manager Emergency Contract and Procurement Policy (17.05.150), MUD procured wastewater pumping equipment to continue safe and sanitary pumping operations at the 14-Mile Station until equipment could be repaired/replaced.
If approved by the City Council, this resolution will approve findings and ratify the total expenditure of $835,534.88 for the emergency procurement of wastewater pumping equipment from Rain4Rent.
DISCUSSION
Background
The 14-Mile Station receives and pumps about 7 million gallons of wastewater from northwest Stockton to the RWCF per day.
On June 9, 2024, the 14-Mile Station experienced a pumping equipment breakdown resulting in the inability to safely pump wastewater to the RWCF. The equipment breakdown resulted in a significant loss of pumping capacity and jeopardized the ability to maintain service to northwest Stockton and posed a significant risk to public health, safety and the environment.
Upon discovery of the equipment breakdown, MUD staff installed temporary pumps to maintain wastewater flow, informed appropriate City staff and began work on procurement efforts wherein three (3) quotes were solicited for the rental of emergency wastewater pumping equipment that met all required specifications. Rain4Rent met all requirements and provided the lowest monthly service price.
On June 13, 2023, the City Manager approved a request for emergency procurement authorization to rent wastewater pumping equipment to mitigate the equipment breakdown at the 14-Mile Station in accordance with Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 and the City Manager Emergency Contract and Procurement Policy (17.05.150).
By December 4, 2024, normal pumping operations at the 14-Mile Station had resumed with the installation of new/rebuilt wastewater pumps and all financial transactions were completed. The total expenditure was $835,534.88 to provide for the wastewater pumping equipment from Rain4Rent.
Findings
Pursuant to the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, the City Council may approve findings which justify and support an exception to the competitive bidding process. The following findings justify and support an exception:
1. The wastewater pumping equipment breakdown at 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station posed a threat to public health, safety and the environment.
2. Emergency wastewater pumping equipment was necessary to resume normal and safe operations at the 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station.
3. Rain4Rent was a responsive contractor that was available and capable of providing the necessary equipment that met all required specifications at the lowest monthly rate, which was in the best interest of the public.
4. By December 4, 2024, normal operations had resumed at the 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station following procurement and installation of new sanitary sewer pumps.
Present Situation
By December 4, 2024, the 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station had resumed normal wastewater pumping operations following procurement and installation of new sanitary sewer pumps.
In addition, in accordance with Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 and the City Manager Emergency Contract and Procurement Policy (17.05.150) 60-day rule, all financial transactions between Rain4Rent and MUD were complete with a final total cost of $835,534.88 for the rental of wastewater pumping equipment at 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station.
Staff recommend the City Council ratify the findings and total expenditure of $835,534.88 for the rental of wastewater pumping equipment from Rain4Rent to mitigate the pumping equipment breakdown at the 14-Mile Sanitary Pump Station.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Expenditures were charged to the Wastewater Pump Stations Maintenance account for the emergency rental of temporary pumping services provided by Rain4Rent.
There is no impact to the General Fund or any other unrestricted fund, from this action.