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Crooked Creek WRF UV Disinfection - Preferred Brand Alternate Procurement Approval
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Shutak, Union County Water, Engineering Division Director, 704-283-3651
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve preferred brand alternate procurement of UV disinfection equipment manufactured by Trojan Technologies as part of the construction bid for the Crooked Creek WRF UV Disinfection project based on the cost savings and improved functioning of the treatment process established by the attached performance standards as allowed by N.C.G.S. § 133-3.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
June 5, 2023, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 23-311 - Approved Hazen and Sawyer Task Order 2020-07 for engineering design and bid phase services for the Crooked Creek WRF UV Disinfection project.
BACKGROUND:
The Capital Improvement Program, as adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (Board), includes an annual allocation for rehabilitation projects at the County’s Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF’s) as part of the WRF R&R Program. These improvements are integral to the long-term maintenance and operation of these facilities.
All of the County’s WRF’s, including the Crooked Creek WRF, currently use ultraviolet (UV) light for disinfection of the reclaimed water prior to discharge of the treated effluent. The current equipment at the Crooked Creek WRF is at the end of its useful life, and the manufacturer has released a bulletin stating that it will no longer support this model of UV equipment due to the model being outdated with their current manufacture of more efficient UV equipment. Therefore, an evaluation was completed in January 2023 to determine the best option for replacement of the existing equipment since the facility will remain in operation for the foreseeable future.
The Board previously approved Hazen and Sawyer Task Order 2020-07 on June 5, 2023, for engineering design and bid phase services for this UV replacement project in the amount of $348,560.00.
The design phase of the project is nearing completion, and the construction bid documents are being finalized. The bid documents will include specifications for all materials and equipment to be installed for the project. With the exception of the UV equipment, all equipment and materials will name multiple acceptable manufacturers as part of the competitive bid process, but the Trojan Technologies UV equipment is being requested for approval as the preferred brand alternate based on the estimated cost savings and improved functioning of the UV lamp cleaning process as allowed by N.C.G.S § 133-3.
Trojan is one of the leading manufacturers of UV disinfection equipment and approving their equipment as the preferred brand alternate will result in an estimated capital cost savings of at least $50,000.00 and future operational energy savings when compared to the other leading manufacturer’s (Wedeco) equipment. The Trojan equipment also provides improved functioning of the system because the UV lamps are able to be cleaned in place with the automatic chemical and mechanical cleaning system instead of having to be removed for cleaning. The automatic cleaning system is a frequent maintenance activity so automating this process greatly improves the system’s efficiency and frees up staff to perform other duties at the facility. In addition, the County utilizes this same Trojan UV disinfection equipment at the Twelve Mile Creek WRF so there will be greater operational efficiency through sharing of spared parts and staff knowledge of the equipment.
The justification for approving Trojan as the preferred brand alternate for the UV disinfection system has been reviewed by UCW engineering and UC procurement staff and is appropriate for the project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.