Procuring & Delivering the Two Largest WRRF PAA Disinfection Systems in the World — Memphis Style

The City of Memphis (City) owns and operates the M.C. Stiles and T.E. Maxson wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs). In 2011, draft disinfection permit limits were issued for both WWTFs, and as a result, the City began investigating disinfection alternatives. Chlorination, Ultraviolet-light (UV), Peracetic Acid (PAA), ferrate and ozone were evaluated for use at the WWTFs. Ultimately PAA was the disinfectant selected at both facilities. The City developed a request for proposal (RFP) for a PAA supplier to provide PAA and lease feed and storage equipment, for a complete disinfection system. The RFP process included base and alternate bids which allowed the City to evaluate PAA suppliers equitably, while also giving them an opportunity to include unique alternatives for the City to consider. This paper provides a background on the disinfection alternative evaluation, discusses the unique attributes of the RFP process and contract negotiations, and provides an update on the project.