Staff recommends City Council award a contract for W.O. 26-12: Water Treatment Plant Sediment Hauling to 7F Services in the amount of $118,637.45.

W.O. 26-12 Water Treatment Plant Sediment Hauling is a yearly project that removes dredged sediment from the Water Treatment Plant.  The sediment removal ensures that the water intake structure from the river has adequate capacity to provide water to the City.  Nine bids were received and 7F Services was the low bidder with a bid amount of $118,637.45.  There is sufficient budget for the project ($150,000) and staff recommends awarding the project to 7F Services.

W.O. 26-12: Water Treatment Plant Sediment Hauling, will remove sediment from the drying facility at the Water Treatment Plant.  Water from the Yellowstone River enters the sedimentation basins where the water is treated to remove sediment prior to sending the water to the filtration units.  Throughout the year, sediment accumulates in the basins and must be removed.  Each year, Water Treatment Plant staff dredges the sediment from the sedimentation basins so that the intake from the Yellowstone River remains open.  The dredged material is placed in the drying area to dry and is later removed to provide capacity for the following year of dredging operations.

The project was publicly advertised on January 23, January 30, February 6, and February 13, 2026, in the Yellowstone County News and on the City's website.  Bids were opened on February 17, 2026 and nine bids were received.  7F Services submitted the lowest, responsible bid.

The following bids were received:.

CONTRACTOR	AMOUNT
7F Services	$118,637.45
Holden Excavating	$119,850.00
Rimrock Dirtworks	$125,315.00
Askin Construction, LLC	$138,300.00
Heart 7 Enterprises, LLC	$148,000.00
K2 Civil	$176,250.00
Gairett Excavation and Trucking, Inc.	$179,500.00
Knife River - Billings	$210,250.00
Earth Movers Excavation, LLC	$221,339.00

The project was budgeted in FY26 using Water Operation and Maintenance Funds (O&M) in the amount of $150,000.  There are adequate funds to award this contract.

City Council may:

• Award W.O. 26-12: Water Treatment Plant Sediment Hauling, to 7F Services in the amount of $118,637.45; or
• Do not award a contract and reject all bids.  If the project is not awarded, the sediment in the drying ponds will accumulate to the point where there won't be adequate room for the dredged material from the sediment basins.  If the sediment basins can't be dredged, silt from the river may plug the raw water intake, not allowing enough water to reach the Water Treatment Plant.