Title
General Contractor for Water Reclamation Facilities Dewatering Project (B)
Explanation
Water/Wastewater Systems operates two water reclamation facilities, the Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility (KWRF) and the Main Street Water Reclamation Facility (MSWRF), which receive wastewater from customers throughout GRU's service area. The water reclamation process produces biosolids which are currently treated through a Class B aerobic digestion process and beneficially reused as a fertilizer and soil additive at a local Whistling Pines Ranch (WPR) agricultural site through a long term agreement. This method has been used successfully for over 30 years, but due to recent regulatory changes, the process must be changed. On February 17th, 2011, the City Commission executed a settlement agreement and consent order with Alachua County Board of County Commissioners to cease application of Class B biosolids at the WPR site by February 21, 2016.
To comply with the settlement agreement and consent order dated February 22nd, 2011, GRU considered all viable alternatives for future reuse of biosolids. GRU will issue a request for proposals to select one or more interested parties to take and reuse GRU's biosolids. In conjunction with this new process, GRU will need to construct biosolids dewatering facilities in order to reduce the water content of its biosolids.
To assist GRU with the project, a contract with CH2MHill, Inc. for engineering design services was approved by the City Commission on May 12, 2012. Through bench and pilot testing, GRU selected centrifuges as the equipment technology to produce 20% solids. Due to the long lead time for the centrifuges, GRU has purchased the equipment after approval by the City Commission on September 19, 2013. The engineer has designed a new dewatering building located at the KWRF to house the dewatering centrifuges, as well as designed improvements to supporting facilities for dewatering at both KWRF and MSWRF. These proposed facility improvements will take approximately two years to construct.
The new dewatering process will require subsequent improvements at both KWRF and MSWRF primarily associated with enhanced screening of inorganic solids that pass through the treatment process and cause premature wear and tear to the centrifuge equipment. The total cost of all improvements is approximately $23,000,000 to be completed from FY2014 through FY2020. The next steps in the project will be to select a viable alternative for future reuse of biosolids and the design and construction of the enhanced screening facilities.
An Invitation to Bid was issued by Purchasing to eighteen known general contractors that perform this type of work. In addition, the bid was posted on GRU's web page and listed on the Mid State Builders Exchange, Inc. Eight firms attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting and four bids were received. The Bid tabulation is attached for your reference.
Fiscal Note
Funding is included in the proposed Water/Wastewater Capital Improvements budget.
Recommendation:
The City Commission: 1) authorize the Interim General Manager, or her designee, to execute a contract with Ortega Industrial Contractor, Inc. for construction services as the General Contractor for the GRU dewatering project and 2) approve the issuance of a purchase order to Ortega Industrial Contractor, Inc. for these services in the amount of $13,230,556, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality, subject to the final appropriation of funds.