The W.O. 20-10: WRF Equipment Installation Project generally consists of:

• installing City-furnished equipment in the headworks building, including one fine screen, two macerators and one vortex grit removal unit,
• modifying the headworks effluent channel,
• installing City-furnished ultraviolet (UV) disinfection equipment,
• installing City-furnished air flotation thickener (AFT) equipment, and
• modifying valves associated with the AFTs.

All project work, except for the modifying the headworks effluent channel and installing the macerators, was intended for award with the W.O. 14-11 Nutrient Upgrade, Expansion and Improvements project; however, due to budget constraints at that time, project schedules containing this work were not awarded.  The capacity improvements and redundancy that installing this equipment achieves can now be realized; in addition, modifying the effluent channel provides a capacity improvement, and installing the macerators reduces long-term equipment maintenance.

After being advertised in the Yellowstone County News and on the City website January 24th and 31st, 2019, and February 7th, 14th and 21st, 2020, staff opened bids on the WRF Equipment Installation Project on February 25, 2020.  Staff recommends that City Council delay awarding a contract until the March 23, 2020 City Council meeting in order to provide staff with additional time to evaluate the bids.

There is no viable alternative to delaying the equipment installation contract award.  Staff needs more time to evaluate the bids and available budget.  State law requires the Council to take action on bids at the first meeting following the bid opening and delaying the award at the March 9 meeting until the March 23 meeting meets that requirement.

Funding for this project has been approved by City Council in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the budget for the Public Works Department.  There is no financial impact due to delaying the bid award.
 

Staff recommends that City Council delay awarding a contract for the W.O. 20-10: WRF Equipment Installation Project until the March 23, 2020 meeting in order to give staff additional time to evaluate the bids.