Title
Annual Contract for Horizontal Directional Drilling (B)
**This item was presented to the UAB on 2-13-20**
Explanation
GRU’s water, wastewater, natural gas, and telecommunication systems install underground pipe, conduit, and cable through trenchless technology known as horizontal directional drilling. This type of drilling is used when trenching or excavation is not practical at a work site, such as a roadway or sidewalk. Work can be performed at the site to repair or install water, wastewater, natural gas, and telecommunication infrastructure equipment with fewer open cuts, reducing repair costs, expediting service restoration, improving public safety, and minimizing interruptions to customers or citizens vehicular, bike, or pedestrian routes. Establishing an annual contract for these services allows GRU departments to have a contractor available to perform horizontal directional drilling services as needed to facilitate repairs or new services. The combined annual cost for these services for all four GRU divisions is approximately $1,000,000.
An Invitation to Bid for this work was issued by Utilities Procurement to the known companies that perform this type of work and the bid was posted on DemandStar. Two bids were received and evaluated based on pricing, experience, resources, and safety. D&D Inc., a small business with a local office, submitted the best evaluated bid and is being recommended for award of a contract. A tabulation is attached for reference.
This item was presented to the UAB on 2-13-20.
Fiscal Note
Funding for this work is included in GRU’s Capital Improvements budget for FY20 and will be requested in future fiscal year budgets.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) Authorize the General Manager, or his designee, to execute an annual contract for a three-year period with D&D, Inc. for horizontal directional drilling services, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 2) approve the issuance of purchase orders to D&D, Inc. in amounts not exceeding budgeted amounts for each year of the contract, subject to the appropriation of funds for these services for each fiscal year of the contract.
The UAB advises the City Commission to approve staff's recommendation.