Item Coversheet

CITY OF HOUSTON - CITY COUNCIL

Meeting Date: 9/10/2024
ALL
Item Creation Date: 8/29/2024

S26588.A2 - Liquid Sodium Bisulfite (Southern Ionics, Inc.) - MOTION

Agenda Item#: 14.


 
                               
Summary:

AMEND MOTION #2019-0394, 7/24/2019, previously amended by #2023-0156, 03/01/23, TO EXTEND the award and TO INCREASE spending authority from $18,322,703.00 to $25,651,784.20 for Purchase of Liquid Sodium Bisulfite Chemical for Houston Public Works, awarded to SOUTHERN IONICS, INC - 1 Year - $7,329,081.20 - Enterprise Fund

Background:

P39-S26588.A2 – Second Amendment to Council Motion No. 2019-0394, passed on July 24, 2019, to extend the award from September 18, 2024, to September 18, 2025, and increase the spending authority from $18,322,703.00 to $25,651,784.20 for the purchase of liquid sodium bisulfite chemical awarded to Southern Ionics, Inc. , for Houston Public Works.

 

Specific Explanation:

The Chief Operating Officer of Houston Public Works (HPW) and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that the City Council amend Council Motion No. 2019-0394 to extend the award from September 18, 2024, to September 18, 2025, and increase the spending authority from $18,322,703.00 to $25,651,784.20 for the purchase of liquid sodium bisulfite chemical awarded to Southern Ionics, Inc., for Houston Public Works.

 

This award began September 18, 2019, for a 60-month period, in the amount not to exceed $13,087,645.00.  An amending motion was approved by Council Motion No. 2023-0156 on March 1, 2023 to increase spend authority from $13,087,645.00 to $18,322,703.00. Expenditures as of August 28, 2024, totaled $17,926,057.59.

 

Liquid sodium bisulfite is used daily in the treatment of wastewater.  It is essential in the dechlorination process, which is vital for maintaining the safety and well-being of Houston’s residents.  After chlorination, it is essential to neutralize the chlorine and chloramines to prevent any harmful impacts on the environment.  Liquid sodium bisulfite effectively neutralizes residual chemicals, transforming them into harmless by-products and ensuring the treated wastewater meets stringent safety standards before discharge.  Weather conditions and the addition of the Northeast Water Purification Plant – Expansion and the Kingwood area wastewater facilities have had a significant impact on the usage of liquid sodium bisulfite, causing a rapid depletion of this contract budget.  HPW requires an extension of time and additional spending authority to continue providing water and wastewater services while the department works on securing a new contract. 

 

MWBE Participation:

This project was awarded with a 11.0% M/WBE participation goal. Southern Ionics, Incorporated, is currently meeting goal credit of 10.4% as of August 28, 2024. OBO will continue to monitor this contract for compliance with the MWSBE Program.

 

Fiscal Note:

Funding for this item is included in the FY2025 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _________________________________

Jedediah Greenfield, Chief Procurement Officer        Randall V. Macchi, Chief Operating Officer

Finance/Strategic Procurement Division                     Houston Public Works

 

 

Estimated Spending Authority

Department

FY2025

Out Years

Total

Houston Public Works

$4,600,000.00

$2,729,081.20

$7,329,081.20


Prior Council Action:

Council Motion No. 2019-0394 - Approved by City Council on July 30, 2019

Council Motion No. 2023-0156 - Approved by City Council on March 1, 2023

Amount and Source of Funding:

$7,329,081.20

Water & Sewer System Operating Fund No.

Fund 8300 

 

Contact Information:

Erika Lawton, Division Manager HPW/SPD (832) 395-2833

Brian Blum, Assistant Director HPW/PFW (832) 395-2717

Carolyn Hanahan, Assistant Chief Policy Officer Finance/SPD (832) 393-9127

Jedediah Greenfield, Chief Procurement Officer Finance/SPD (832) 393-9126

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