Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Rio De Flag Wastewater Plant Air Scrubber Carbon Changeout Maintenance Project (Approve contract with Carbon Activated Corporation for replacement of carbon media in the air scrubber equipment at the Rio de Flag Wastewater Treatment Plant).

Accept and approve the contract of the lowest responsive and responsible bid from Carbon Activated Corporation of Phoenix, for the replacement of carbon media in the Air Scrubber (Adsorption) equipment located at the Rio De Flag Wastewater Plant in the amount of $64,218.23 plus applicable sales tax.

The reason for the action is the City's need to perform routine replacement of the carbon media contained in the air scrubber (adsorption) equipment with new carbon media, that will allow the adsorption equipment to operate efficiently by removing undesirable odors. This will replace carbon media that have surpassed the maximum useful life per the manufacturer's recommendations.
 

• Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Utilities Wastewater Treatment Operations Budget. The project is budgeted in account # 201-08-312-1121-0-4402  in the amount of $ 125,000 dollars. To date $27,400 has been spent on professional engineering fees, leaving $97,600 remaining in project fund balance for the completion of this project. 


• The Utilities Department would like to contract with Carbon Activated Corporation for the amount of $64,218.23 which includes the add alternate for higher quality media.  The $33,381.77 in savings from what was budgeted in FY14 will be available for other Utility Fund expenditures.

Repair, replace and maintain infrastructure (Utilities facilities equipment). Replacement of carbon is a normal maintenance function and is required for the air scrubber equipment to function properly.

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Option A: Accept Bid 2014-60 from Carbon Activated Corporation in Phoenix as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $64,218.23 for new carbon media to be installed in three existing air scrubber units located at the Rio De Flag Wastewater plant.
 
Option B: Continue to use the existing carbon media and forego the purchase at this time. One impact may be that we run the risk of having the plant experience stronger odors. Additionally, high-pressure drop in the air scrubber equipment (clogged media filters) which results in higher energy usage and  incurs higher maintenance costs. By accepting this option the plant may incur additional repair costs in the future.

The Rio De Flag Wastewater Plant has 3 existing activated carbon adsorbers (air scrubbers) that remove the hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptans, general acids and other odors typical in the treatment of sewage wastes. This project is part of a routine normal maintenance replacement of the carbon media contained in the adsorber equipment. The City of Flagstaff requested bids from qualified manufactures and contractors to refurbish the existing three (3) carbon adsorbers. The bidders were required to furnish all labor, materials, equipment and incidentals required to completely refurbish the adsorber including but not limited to replacement of the granular activated carbons. The contractor is responsible for safely and properly removing the existing spent carbon and replace it with new activated carbon as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. The carbon adsorber internals, including bed support material and carbon retention screens will be removed and replace as required to meet the original equipment manufacturers specification. Attached is an aerial photo of the plant site, and current photographs of the adsorber equipment. 

• The activated carbon process media used in the air scrubber equipment, has become spent or exhausted. OSHA, HAZWOPER-certified professionals are required for change out of the spent carbon and to properly dispose of the process media. Plant staff is not authorized or certified to perform this work.


• This is a normal maintenance project required to keep our adsorption (air scrubber) system up and running and to minimize undesirable odors.  The technicians will also inspect the adsorption vessels and make minor repairs if necessary.

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Normal replacement of the carbon media in the air scrubber equipment will reduce odors at the plant site.

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05/20/2014 - CC approved 6-0