Lodi bridges polymer supply gap with $568,000 biosolids approvals
City of Lodi Public Works Department, California · Meeting date: October 21, 2026 · Published: October 22, 2026
Lodi City Council has authorized a new polymer agreement with SNF Polydyne after an earlier performance-based procurement failed to identify a suitable product. A short extension with incumbent Solenis will maintain supplies until the replacement agreement is executed.
Key points
- Council approved a not-to-exceed $468,000 agreement with SNF Polydyne for biosolids dewatering polymer after staff sought quotations from four suppliers.
- SNF Polydyne offered a suitable product at $1.20/lb, compared with quoted unit costs of $1.29/lb from CarboNet and $1.60/lb from Solenis.
- A $100,000 amendment extends Solenis' polymer agreement through December 31, 2026, taking its total value to $870,000.
- Lodi said polymer consumption rose after new dewatering equipment was installed in April 2025, while an earlier performance-based RFP produced no products meeting operational requirements.
Full report
Lodi City Council has approved a $468,000 agreement with SNF Polydyne for biosolids dewatering polymer, coupled with a $100,000 extension of its incumbent Solenis supply contract to prevent disruption to wastewater-treatment operations.
The approvals provide a bridge between the expiring Solenis contract and execution of the replacement supply deal. Flocculating polymer is used at the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility to dewater anaerobically digested sludge before land application. The chemical improves the separation of solids from water, supporting handling, transport and disposal of wastewater solids.
Council waived the formal bid process for the SNF Polydyne agreement after staff obtained competitive quotations from four suppliers and assessed price, product suitability, availability and the ability to meet operational requirements. SNF Polydyne was identified as the lowest-priced supplier offering a suitable product, at $1.20/lb. The solicitation estimated annual demand at 65-70 tons, with an annual estimated cost of $156,000 based on 65 tons.
The company’s agreement is authorized at a not-to-exceed value of $468,000. Funding is included in the adopted FY2026/27 wastewater-operations budget, with future requirements to be included in subsequent budgets.
The Solenis amendment adds $100,000 and extends the agreement through December 31, 2026. Its total not-to-exceed value will reach $870,000. Staff said the incumbent contract, which expired September 30, had required additional funding because polymer use increased after Lodi installed new dewatering equipment in April 2025.
An initial performance-based RFP released ahead of the Solenis contract expiry did not yield any polymers that met the city’s performance requirements. Staff subsequently reissued the procurement and found the later proposals acceptable, leading to the SNF Polydyne award. The interim Solenis extension is intended to maintain chemical supply while the new agreement is fully executed.
Both polymer purchases are funded through White Slough operating accounts.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council, City of Lodi Public Works Department