Subject:
Title
Rejection of the bid submittal received for William E. Dunn WRF Reclaimed Water and Reject Water Storage Ponds Liner Replacement and Reclaimed Water Pump Station Improvements.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the rejection of the bid for William E. Dunn WRF Reclaimed Water and Reject Water Storage Ponds Liner Replacement and Reclaimed Water Pump Station Improvements.
• Rejection of the bid submittal received because the total amount exceeds the Engineer of Record’s estimate and budget.
• The Purchasing Department will re-solicit this project as two separate projects in the near future.
• The County received one (1) responsive bid from TLC Diversified, Inc. for this "bundled" project. The total base bid received for the combined projects was the $19,568,795.00 and the total alternate bid was in the amount of $22,621,395.00.
• Rejection of this bid has no fiscal impact.
Contract No. 23-1077-ITB-C rejection of single bid received.Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public's resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
On November 30, 2023, one bid was received from TLC Diversified, Inc., in the amount of $19,568,795.00 and the total additive alternate bid was in the amount $22,621,395.00. After review of the bid, Purchasing held a clarification meeting with the contractor to inquire if there were any questions or clarification that the contractor needed regarding the bid submitted. As a result, the contractor submitted a revised bid to Purchasing which reduced the cost of the pond liner project (PID003431A) by $1,007,888.00, contingent on PCU moving forward with the award of both projects. With this deduction, the pond liner project is still well above the Engineer's estimate.
Background/Explanation:
Dunn Reclaimed Water and Reject Water Pond Liner Replacement:
The existing liners for both reject and reclaimed storage ponds have reached the end of their useful service. As part of the reclaimed water production system, the WRF uses a reclaimed water storage pond and a reject pond (for non-spec reclaimed water). The reject pond is used for temporarily storing effluent that does not meet reclaimed water standards and is sent back through the plant for further treatment. Both ponds' liner systems have been in service for approximately 33 years. The pond liner inspection results conclude that liner degradation has occurred due to its age and exposure to UV light and heat, leading to depletion of antioxidants and stress cracking. The last inspection performed in 2011 concluded that the liner had an estimated ten years of remaining life but that a re-assessment should occur after five years. Although the County routinely inspects and performs maintenance on the liners, the number and frequency of repairs is increasing. Regular maintenance primarily includes identifying defects and making repairs to the areas accessible above the water elevation. Historically, the ponds have been drawn down minimally to make repairs below the normal water line but reducing the water level in the ponds significantly (i.e., especially the reclaimed water pond) is less common and takes considerably more planning and effort to accommodate.
The Dunn Offsite Reclaimed Water Pump Station Improvements:
The pump station was originally constructed in 1987. In 1998, modifications were made to add four strainers on the discharge side of the pumps. Components including the vertical turbine pumps, electrical gear, and strainers have reached the end of their useful service life. The pump station provides reclaimed water to the north county's public access reuse system as well as critical in-plant water needed to support various treatment processes. The pumps are not able to operate in the preferred operating range and therefore are not able to provide the design flow rates needed. Recently, the pumps have required significant maintenance and have been rebuilt multiple times.
Fiscal Impact:
Rejection of bid has no fiscal impact.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to reject bids is granted under Code Section 2-188(c).
Staff Member Responsible:
Jeremy Waugh, P.E., Director, Utilities
Noralvys Hancock, EI, Plant Operations Division Director, Utilities
Merry Celeste, Division Director, Purchasing & Risk, Administrative Services
Joe Lauro, Director, Administrative Services
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
N/A