Staff recommends the City Council award a construction contract to Askin Construction for WO 22-45: Willett Pump Station Improvements, in the amount of $405,350.

Within the City water distribution system, pressure zone #2 serves "mid-town" Billings.  It is bordered by the BBWA on the west and the downtown area to the east.  Zone 2 is served by the Willett Pump Station (Willett).  To achieve more efficiency and flexibility in providing water to Zone 2, Willett requires a third pump to be installed.  Willett has an open pump slot available, and the City has pre-purchased the required 200 HP vertical turbine pump and associated controls.  W.O. 22-45 involves the installation of this equipment.  In addition, the project includes the installation of a new flow meter (also pre-purchased by the City), a new by-pass line outside the station to allow the station to be isolated for maintenance, and all associated piping, valves, tie-in to the existing distribution system, and electrical connections.  The Willett pump station improvements are a planned CIP project, budgeted in FY24.

W.O. 22-45 was advertised April 28 and May 5 and 12, 2023, in the Yellowstone County News and on the City’s website.  Bids were opened May 16, 2023, and three bids were received.  Askin Construction submitted the lowest responsible bid.

City Council may:

• Award a construction contract to Askin Construction for the Base Bid in the total amount of $405,350; or
• Not award a contract and reject all bids.  If the bid is not awarded, Willett Pump Station will continue operating with only two pumps, which reduces efficiency of the pump station and greatly limits the flexibility in providing water to Zone 2.

The following bids were received:
 

Bidder (Contractor)	Total Base Bid Amount
Askin Construction	$405,350.00
COP Construction	$414,414.00
Western Municipal Construction	$541,173.21

The project was budgeted in FY24 using Water Funds.  There are sufficient funds available to award this contract.