Steven M. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works/Utilities General Manager
DATE:
January 14, 2025
SUBJECT:
Res 25-03 Approve Professional Services Agreement with Donohue & Associates, Inc. for Wastewater Treatment Plant Tertiary Treatment Filtration Facility Design ($976,585)
BACKGROUND
The City of Oshkosh (City) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is operating under its approved Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Permit WI-0025038-09-1 settlement agreement. To conform with its WPDES permit and the Upper Fox and Wolf Rivers' total maximum daily load (TMDL) approved in 2020, the City completed a series of studies to evaluate alternative compliance strategies for the water quality-based effluent phosphorus limits which go into effect January 2025. As a result of these evaluations, the City selected to use the Multi-Discharger Variance (MDV) from 2025 to 2027 and to construct and operate a new Tertiary Filtration Facility at the WWTP to comply with TMDL-based permit limits.
In conformance with its WPDES permit compliance schedule, the City prepared the City of Oshkosh Wastewater Utility 2042 Facilities Plan (Jacobs, 2022) and the City of Oshkosh Wastewater Treatment Plant Filtration Facility Design Report (Jacobs, 2022) for review and approval by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The WDNR approved the City of Oshkosh Wastewater Utility 2042 Facilities Plan in December 2023. Also, in compliance with the permit, the City's MDV application was submitted for WDNR review in June 2023.
The City intends to add tertiary filtration to its secondary treatment system. The Tertiary Filtration Facility, with an average annual capacity of 16.4 million gallons per day (mgd) and a maximum monthly capacity of 27.8 mgd, will be comprised of the following:
Modifications to the WWTP ferric chloride and chlorine feed systems.
A new secondary effluent pump station.
New rapid mix, coagulation, flocculation, and cloth disc filtration treatment processes.
Electrical and control system improvements to support the new facility.
Miscellaneous improvements necessary to retrofit the WWTP with the Tertiary Filtration Facility.
The Department of Public Works, with assistance from Jacobs, developed a Request for Proposals (RFP) to be sent to engineering firms to provide design, assistance with permitting, and bidding services. The RFP was sent to five (5) engineering firms.
ANALYSIS
Public Works staff reviewed the three (3) proposals received. Based on the review of the proposals, staff is recommending Donohue and Associates, Inc. (Donohue) be awarded the Project. The project team proposed by Donohue has significant experience in similar projects, and navigating the WDNR and Public Service Commission approval process. Additionally, Donohue will be performing the work with their own staff, who are mostly located in Wisconsin, providing for easier access to visit the site and better oversite.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the agreement is estimated not to exceed $976,585. Funding for the Project is available in the Wastewater Utility portion of the CIP in Account No. 03221910-7206-64152 (Sewer Capital Fund-Capital Construction-WWTP – Study/Const Phosphorus).
RECOMMENDATION
Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code of the City of Oshkosh provides that professional services of a specialized nature, including engineering services, may be procured without the use of formal, sealed quotes. I have reviewed the proposal and in accordance with Section 12-16 of the Municipal Code, I am hereby recommending that the Common Council approve this professional services agreement.
