Title
Selection of Progressive Design-Build Firm for the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Improvements Program (B)
Explanation
The Main Street Water Reclamation Facility started treating wastewater in the 1920’s. This facility has seen upgrades and expansions over its 100 years of service. The last major plant upgrade was in the early 1990s and the plant is in need of significant upgrades over the next 6-10 years.
The proposed Main Street WRF Improvements Program will replace and upgrade assets at the facility to continue the necessary wastewater treatment and expand the facility’s capacity to meet current and future wastewater flows. The improvements to the plant are anticipated to bring the facility from a 7.5 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) capacity to 10-12 MGD. The improvements at Main Street Water Reclamation Facility will increase treatment capacity, prepare GRU to meet upcoming regulatory conditions, proactively address aging infrastructure, and lower operation and maintenance costs.
• Treatment Capacity: The area served by the Main Street WRF is becoming more densely populated and there are significant efforts to increase development in the east-side of Gainesville. In order to accommodate this growth and development, additional treatment capacity is required.
• Regulatory Conditions: GRU is proactively implementing innovative solutions to accommodate the needs of growth as well as future water quality treatment needs.
• Aging Infrastructure: The average age of equipment at Main Street WRF is 28 years old. Most of the equipment is reaching or exceeding the end of its useful life. Delay in replacement or rehabilitation of equipment could lead to customer and/or environmental impacts.
• Operation and Maintenance: Once the initial capital improvements are complete the facility will experience lower operation and maintenance costs due to increasing equipment efficiency, introducing new technology, and reducing reactive maintenance.
This project will utilize a Progressive Design-Build project delivery method. GRU Water and Wastewater (W/WW) Systems has solicited a Request for Statement of Qualifications for Progressive Design-Builders to select the best qualified team.
This approach was presented as an informational item on April 11, 2019 to the Utility Advisory Board and subsequently presented to the City Commission on April 18, 2019. The presentation from these meetings is attached.
The solicitation for a Request for Statement of Qualifications for Progressive Design-Builders was posted on May 31, 2019. On August 6, 2019, four progressive design-build proposals were received. GRU staff conducted a two-phase evaluation of the prospective design-build teams. The Phase 1 evaluation was held in a public meeting on August 29, 2019, where three firms were selected to advance. The Phase 2 evaluation was held in a public meeting on September 19, 2019, where three firms participated in presentations and interviews and were ranked as follows:
1. CH2M Hill Engineers Inc. & Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Local Firm)
2. Wharton-Smith Inc. & Hazen and Sawyer, P.C.
3. PC Construction Company d/b/a PCEO, Inc. & Gannett Fleming, Inc.
In accordance with the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), staff is recommending initiating contract negotiations with the top-ranked firm. If staff is unable to negotiate an acceptable contract with the top-ranked firm, it may negotiate with the next firm in order of ranking.
This item was presented to the UAB on October 10, 2019.
Attachments:
1.) April UAB/Commission Presentation
2.) Notice of Intent to Award
Fiscal Note
The major upgrades required are estimated to cost up to $50 million dollars. The $50 million invested at the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility will increase treatment capacity, prepare GRU to meet upcoming regulatory conditions, proactively address aging infrastructure, and lower operation and maintenance costs. The request for approval to negotiate is requested with a contract value not to exceed $50 million over 6-10 years. The timing of the contract expenses will be funded in accordance with the budget approvals on a fiscal year basis. Water/Wastewater staff will provide an annual update of approved and projected expenses to the commission and will request approval if additional funds over the $50 million amount are required.
Recommendation
The City Commission:
1) approve the ranking of design-build firms for the progressive design build of the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Improvements Program;
2) authorize the General Manager, or his designee, to initiate contract negotiations with the design-build firms in order of rank in accordance with the CCNA; and
3) authorize the General Manager, or his designee, upon successful negotiations, to execute a contract, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality, for the total project cost not to exceed $50 million in accordance with the annually approved budget.
The UAB voted 5-0, with Members Rockwell and Alford absent, to recommend approval of this item on consent.