Since commissioning the Ion-Exchange Pre-Treatment System we have conducted extensive water quality testing on each of the four (4) Ion-Exchange vessels. Based on the results we have determined a hybrid combination of the PSR2 Plus product as well as a coal based granular activated carbon provides optimum PFAS contaminant removal to levels far below the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Health Advisory Level of Seventy (70) parts per trillion, while providing a reduction in color units in the potable drinking water.  When comparing both the “resin” and “total” treated bed volumes, the PSR2 Plus resin clearly performed the best. The PSR2 Plus can withstand the high Total Organic Compound environment without the need for pre-treatment, while also reducing PFAS levels to non-detect to past 60,000 bed volumes – longer than any of the other resins. In summary, it is our opinion that the Dowex PSR2 Plus Ion Exchange resin clearly provides the best performance at removing PFAS down to non-detect levels and treatment goals of 10 ug/L to 20 ug/L setup in 2017.

Before reaching the conclusion that the Single Source Procurement was the most cost-effective means of procuring the product, we published a formalized bid via Demand Star. One bid was received that was determined to be non-responsive. The difficulty in this process is that contractors must purchase the products directly from Evoqua and Evoqua provides the same contractual services.

Section 16 of the City's Procurement Policies and Procedures states "A contract may be awarded without competitive selection when the Financial Services Director determines, after conducting a good faith review of available sources, that there may be more than one source for the required goods but due to the exclusive distribution rights of the vendor; or the vendor is the single provider of goods or services which have unique characteristics essential to the operational needs of the using city department and no other product or service will be suitable for use by the using department; or the vendor has special ability to provide unique spare parts or unique emergency repair service; or the vendor has unique historical, institutional knowledge and experience which will provide a continuity of service not available from any other vendor. The Department completes the Single Source form stating why an item should be considered for Single Source procurement".

Section 5 of the City's Procurement Policies and Procedures states "The Commission has delegated the authority to execute two party or multi-party procurement contracts that are binding on the City to the City Manager as long as: a) the contracts are valued at less than $50,000.00; b) funds for the project have been appropriated by the City Commission through the annual budgeting process; c) the contract commits the City to no other obligation than the expenditure of appropriated funds; and d) the vendor was selected in accordance with the City Procurement Policies.