SFPUC authorizes sole-source equipment for biosolids digester project

The commission voted to authorize the general manager to designate specific vendors as sole-source providers for key equipment in the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project. Carolyn Chu, project manager, said that after due diligence and site visits staff determined the CAMBI thermal hydrolysis process and the Solar Mercury 50 gas turbine are the treatment and generation technologies that best meet project service-level goals and that only those manufacturers supply the required equipment.

"Based on extensive evaluation and due diligence site visits ... these two equipment brands are found to be the best treatment technologies to reliably meet the SSIP's levels of service for 100% beneficial use of our biosolids and biogas," Chu said as she requested authority to proceed with sole-source procurement and to enter into operation-and-maintenance service agreements with the vendors.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about future contract amounts and procurement steps; staff confirmed the request is to approve sole-source authorization so purchasing can proceed under the project contract structure. The motion to approve the sole-source designations and the authority to enter service agreements carried on voice vote.

Next steps: with the sole-source authorization in hand, staff will proceed with vendor engagement and equipment purchase and will return with contract details per standard procurement and project reporting.