Title
Engineering Services for Water Plant Electrical System (B)
Explanation
The Murphree Water Treatment Plant, GRU's only water treatment facility, was designed and commissioned in the early 1970s. The plant is powered by two separate electrical systems: one high voltage system supplies power to the high service pumps and one low voltage system handles all other plant loads. The electrical system has two Motor Control Centers (MCC), which are critical infrastructure systems that operate the plant's process equipment. The MCCs have been in service since the original construction was completed in 1976. Due to the age of the equipment, finding available repair parts is difficult and parts are costly. Updating the electrical system by adding redundancy to the system and replacing the outdated electrical components will help to ensure the reliable operation of the water plant.
To assist GRU staff with the project, professional engineering services are required which will include developing preliminary design documents, drawings and technical specifications as well as assistance with permitting requirements with the City of Gainesville, St. Johns River Water Management District, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, the engineering firm will provide oversight of construction and commissioning services. Staff will seek City Commission approval to award a contract for construction of the new electrical system through a separate bid process.
Utilities Purchasing issued a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) to fifteen engineering firms. The RFSQ was publically advertised and was posted on the GRU website. Six firms responded, two with no bids. Of the four firms that submitted a Statement of Qualifications, presentations were made by the top three firms. In accordance with the Consultants' Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA) F.S. 287.055 and City of Gainesville Purchasing Policies, the firms were ranked in the following order:
1. CH2MHill, Inc.
2. TLC Engineering for Architecture
3. Stanley Consultants, Inc.
Staff is recommending initiating contract negotiations with the top-ranked firm as required by Florida statute. If staff is unable to negotiate an acceptable contract with the top-ranked firm, negotiations will be made with the next firm in the order of ranking. A summary of the scoring for each firm is attached.
Fiscal Note
Estimated funding for this request is included in the Water/Wastewater Capital Improvements budget for FY2015 and will be requested in future fiscal years. The total projected costs for design and construction of the project are estimated at $8,500,000 over FY 2015 through FY 2019.
Recommendation:
The City Commission:
1. Approve the final ranking of engineering firms in the given order of preference for professional engineering services for the design of the Murphree Water Treatment Plant Electrical System Upgrade Project; and
2. Authorize the Interim General Manager, or her designee, to initiate contract negotiations with the top ranked firm in accordance with the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA); and
3. Authorize the Interim General Manager, or her designee, upon successful negotiations, to execute a contract with the top ranked firm, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality, and final appropriation of funds for each year of the project.