TITLE:title
Sole Source Standardization Approval - Twelve Mile Creek Water Reclamation Facility Disc Filter Replacement Panels
body
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher Clark, UC Water - Water & Wastewater Operations, Director, 704-296-4215
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Approve the sole source/standardization exception and authorize the purchase of 588 replacement disc filter panels for the Kruger/Hydrotech Discfilter system at the Twelve Mile Creek Water Reclamation Facility from Veolia Water Technologies, Inc., pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-129(e)(6) and Section 3.8 of the Union County Procurement Policy; and 2) authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Union County Water operates a Kruger/Hydrotech Discfilter (HSF2222/21-1F) system at the Twelve Mile Creek Water Reclamation Facility. The installed system contains 21 discs and uses 588 replaceable filter panels. The proposed purchase will replace the filter panels used by the existing automatic filtration system.
Replacement panels must be compatible with the installed proprietary system. Veolia Water Technologies, Inc. has confirmed that Kruger is the sole engineering design proprietor of the Kruger/Hydrotech Discfilter system and that associated parts are engineered to Kruger specifications and recommendations. Veolia supplies the required proprietary replacement panels.
The County previously completed two competitive procurement processes for these replacement filter panels: IFB 2024-080, 12 Mile Filter Panel Purchase, and IFB 2026-026, FY26 Disc Filter Purchase. In each instance, the initial solicitation received only one bid and was rebid due to the lack of additional participants. Veolia Water Technologies, Inc. was the only participating vendor following each rebid and, after the competitive process was completed, received the award in both procurements. Accordingly, both prior purchases were competitively solicited and awarded; the repeated results nevertheless confirmed that Veolia was the only vendor able to supply panels meeting the County's compatibility requirements.
Using panels not designed for the existing Kruger/Hydrotech system would create compatibility and performance risks and could require modification or replacement of installed equipment. Standardizing with the proprietary panels supplied by Veolia allows the County to maintain the existing equipment and its intended treatment performance.
Because standardization and compatibility with the existing equipment are the overriding considerations with this purchase, as well as the required product being available only from one source (Veolia), the purchase qualifies for the exception provided by N.C.G.S. § 143-129(e)(6) and Section 3.8 of the Union County Procurement Policy. This exception is tied to the County's continued use of the existing Kruger/Hydrotech equipment and its related compatibility requirements. If the equipment or compatibility requirements change, future purchases will be evaluated under the applicable competitive procurement process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The quoted cost for 588 replacement filter panels is $140,283.10, including estimated freight and sales tax. The purchase will be funded by Union County from budget account 60026753-5352.