Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Utilities Department
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TO: |
David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager |
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FROM: |
Bob Brower, Utilities Field Operations Superintendent |
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CC: |
Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities Jeanette Klamm – Management Analyst |
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Date: |
February 19, 2014 |
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RE: |
Agenda Item – Approve Renewal of Bid #B09034 Chemical Root Control Contract |
Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the March 4, 2014 meeting:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. in the amount of $91,538 based on Bid # B09034 for the 2014 Chemical Root Control Contract.
History:
The chemical root control program is designed to kill the root growth present in the lines and to inhibit re‑growth without permanently damaging the vegetation producing the roots. This is done by applying a chemical root control agent into the sanitary sewers.
The Utility Department began the Root Control Program in 1998. The program is very successful in reducing root growth in city mains which aids in preventing root blockages thus reducing backup calls and sanitary sewer overflows and improving customer service.
The treated sanitary sewer line segments have a 2-year warranty against root re-growth. The vendor will re-apply treatment if roots re-grow in the line during the warranty period at no additional cost to the city. The selected sanitary sewer line segments in each year’s project are retreated every 3rd year as part of the Root Control Program.
Sanitary sewer line segments are selected for root control on the basis of several factors including blockages caused by root infiltration, TV inspection, maintenance records, age of pipe, pipe material, and above ground conditions such as trees. The map illustrates the 2014 locations.
On June 16, 2009 bids were opened for the 2009 Root Control Program. The bid provided for four (4) annual renewals beyond the initial contract year. Two vendors bid on the project, Ace Pipe Cleaning and Duke’s Root Control, Inc. However, the bid submitted by Ace Pipe Cleaning did not meet the criteria specified in the bid documents nor did they respond to all elements requested in the bid proposal, including bid prices for pipe sizes from 8-inch through 24-inch, a 5% Bid Bond and a minimum of three (3) Kansas certified pesticide applicators. The City specification also required the root chemical to be Razorooter II or equivalent product rated Group “E” on the USEPA Chronic Exposure Rate Scale. The bid provided by Ace was for the use of the chemical Sanafoam Vaporooter II, with the active ingredient of metam sodium. This chemical is specifically prohibited due to a USEPA Group “C” rating and has also been responsible for disruption of the biological process in wastewater treatment plants. See the following table for a comparison of the products:
Root Control Chemical Comparisons
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Razorooter II |
Sanafoam Vaporooter II |
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Active Ingredient Concentration (according to the EPA label) |
Contains 37.3% diquat dibromide (diquat) in a water-based concentrate that is highly soluble in water for easy mixing |
Contains 30% metam sodium (metam) water based concentrate and 50% dichlobenil wettable powder |
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EPA Carcinogenicity Classification |
USEPA Group E – Evidence of non-carcinogenicity for Humans |
Metam: USEPA Group C – Possible Human Carcinogen Dichlobenil: USEPA Group C – Possible Human Carcinogen |
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Chemical Stability |
Non-volatile liquid concentrate that is highly soluble in water for easy mixing |
Metam degrades when diluted with water to methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), a moderate poison, and/or to hydrogen sulfide, a highly poisonous gas |
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EPA Acute Toxicity Classification Signal Word |
Category 2: Warning |
Category 1: Danger (due to acute toxicity) |
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EPA Restricted Use Pesticide |
No |
Yes, due to acute toxicity |
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Non-Target Effects |
Diquat is a contact herbicide that binds quickly and strongly to the target roots, organic material and clay, sand and silt particles in wastewater. This greatly minimizes diquat effects to beneficial microorganism populations important in the degradation process of dead root tissue |
Metam acts a biocide by killing all live organisms within the treated sections of sewer pipe, including beneficial microorganisms important in the degradation process of dead root tissue. |
Duke’s Root Control, Inc met all specifications and has been the successful bidder since 1998. The 2009-2013 bid prices submitted by Duke’s remained the same cost per foot as bid in the 2006 – 2008 root control program.
The bid tabulation is in the following two tables.
Duke’s Root Control, Inc
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Pipe Size |
2009 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2010 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2011 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2012 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2013 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
Footage
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8 inch |
$1.29 |
$1.29 |
$1.29 |
$1.29 |
$1.29 |
72,658 |
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10 inch |
$1.76 |
$1.76 |
$1.76 |
$1.76 |
$1.76 |
650 |
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12 inch |
$1.92 |
$1.92 |
$1.92 |
$1.92 |
$1.92 |
840 |
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15 inch |
$2.73 |
$2.73 |
$2.73 |
$2.73 |
$2.73 |
810 |
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18 inch |
$3.97 |
$3.97 |
$3.97 |
$3.97 |
$3.97 |
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24 inch |
$6.35 |
$6.35 |
$6.35 |
$6.35 |
$6.35 |
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Ace Pipe Cleaning
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Pipe Size |
2009 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2010 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2011 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2012 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
2013 Unit Price Per Linear Foot |
Footage
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8 inch |
$0.93 |
$0.96 |
$1.00 |
$1.03 |
$1.06 |
72,658 |
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10 inch |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
650 |
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12 inch |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
840 |
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15 inch |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
810 |
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18 inch |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
|
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24 inch |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
No bid |
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Duke’s Root Control Inc. has agreed to extend the contract and pricing another year. Utilities Department staff recommends City Commission authorize the City Manager to execute a contract agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc in the amount of $91,538 to treat 67,995 feet of 8 inch pipe, 840 feet of 12 inch pipe and 811 feet of 15 inch pipe for the 2014 Chemical Root Control Program.
Project Funding:
Funding for the 2014 Chemical Root Control Program is from the 2014 O&M Budget.
Action Request:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. in the amount of $91,538 based on Bid # B09034 for the 2014 Chemical Root Control Contract.
Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.