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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: November 12, 2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain city council approval for the execution of contracts with suppliers of various process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
BACKGROUND:
Each year the Water Production Division solicits bids for process chemicals to be used at the Water Treatment Plant, bids 24-088 and 24-089. The chemicals supplied are essential and necessary to the operations of the various treatment processes such as softening, disinfection, clarification, filtration, fluoridation, and taste & odor control, as well as regulatory compliance with drinking water standards. Sealed bids for this purpose were opened on October 16, 2024, and reverse-auction bidding was completed on September 24, 2024. Bid tabulations for each solicitation are attached.
DISCUSSION:
The following suppliers are submitted as the lowest responsive, responsible bidders and are recommended for the applicable one-year or two-year period commencing on January 1, 2025, with 2026 strictly optional if mutually agreed upon:
Airgas Specialty Products, Inc. - Anhydrous Ammonia (2025)
Univar Solutions USA LLC - Fluorosilicic Acid (2025)
Rowell Chemical Corp. - Sodium Hypochlorite (2025)
Nalco Water (Ecolab) - Cationic Polymer (2025 - 2026)
MacGas LLC - Carbon Dioxide (2025)
Kemira Water Solutions - Ferric Chloride (2025 - 2026)
Mississippi Lime Company - Calcium Oxide (2025)
Atlas Carbon - Powdered Activated Carbon (2025 - 2026)
An attachment lists the recommended bidders, unit prices, and total estimated contract amounts.
Funds have been requested in the 2025 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 in the amount of $3,469,500. The proposed budget amount is based upon the estimated usage for all process chemicals recommended herein. In addition, the continued annual purchase of Nalclear 7763, a proprietary anionic polymer from a sole source, Nalco Water (Ecolab) is requested for approval as a non-contract item at an approximate annual expense of $37,000. A notarized affidavit is attached.
The City of Aurora Local Preference Ordinance did apply to these bids but did not impact the awards.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of contracts to supply process chemicals for one or two-year periods as indicated herein, as well as continued supply of anionic polymer from a sole source.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, sealed bids were requested and reverse-auction pricing was submitted for process chemicals to be used in the treatment of the City's water supply for one or two -year periods commencing on January 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, listed on the attachment, "WPD Recommended Chemical Suppliers 2025 - 2026", are the lowest responsive, responsible bidders for each process chemical, at the bid amount shown for a one-year or two-year period; and
WHEREAS, the Water Production Division seeks to continue the non-contract purchase of proprietary Nalclear 7763 anionic polymer from Nalco Water (Ecolab), a sole source, via City Code section 2-335 (a)(3); and
WHEREAS, funding for the purchase of all process chemicals is provided annually in the City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 with a requested 2025 budget of $3,469,500;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: subject to the approval of this item in the 2025 budget, that the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with Kemira Water Solutions, Mississippi Lime Co., Airgas Specialty Products, Inc., MacGas LLC, Nalco Water, Univar Solutions USA LLC, Atlas Carbon, and Rowell Chemical Corporation for the Water Production Division.