REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 25, 2020
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Assistant Director - UP&E
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: SARAH AGUILA, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the rehabilitation of Digester 8 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 3731) (Council Districts 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (b) and (d) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract to Euro Style, in the amount of $677,554
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (b) and (d) (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for rehabilitation of Digester 8 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) (Project); and award a construction contract for the Project to Euro Style, in the amount of $677,554.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Periodic cleaning and rehabilitation of the 13 mesophilic anaerobic digesters at the RWRF is required to keep the plant functioning within regulatory requirements. During a routine inspection of Digester 8, it was discovered that sludge and methane gas was leaking through the dome seal. This construction contract will allow for the coating and sealing of the interior and exterior surfaces of the digester to prevent such leaking. The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division, is seeking to award a construction contract for the rehabilitation of Digester 8 at the RWRF to Euro Style, in the amount of $677,554.
BACKGROUND
The RWRF operates 13 mesophilic anaerobic digesters. The digesters range in size from 860,000 to 1,870,000 gallons. The digesters are used in the treatment of the solids generated at the RWRF to eliminate pathogens and volatile organic compounds. Over the period of approximately seven years, these digesters accumulate debris associated with the treatment process (i.e. solids consisting of sludge, sand, plastics, hair, etc.).
Following the cleaning of Digester 8, inspection discovered failing coating peeling off the walls, visible gaps in the skirt seal around the digester, and stains on the roof where gasses have been escaping through failing welds. This Project includes the removal and replacement of the existing failing interior coating, application of a ferric corrosion inhibitor and a new roof coating.
Plans and specifications were prepared for the Project. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on April 29, 2020, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The specifications were distributed to twenty-two prospective bidders and posted at ten Building Exchanges. Four sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on May 19, 2020. The bid proposals were $677,554.00, $725,391.23, $939,438.00, and $1,292,045.40. The bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on July 22, 2020.
Euro Style, was found to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the bid amount of $677,554. The staff determination was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on Friday, June 12, 2020. Staff recommends that City Council award a construction contract to Euro Style, in the amount of $677,554, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 5.2% below the Engineer’s Estimate of $715,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for this Project in accordance with the CEQA requirement, and has determined that it falls within Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (b) and (d) (Existing Facilities), because this contract involves normal operation and maintenance of existing public sewer facilities. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference was not implemented because the lowest local bidder exceeded the 5% preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. The Project is located in the Council Districts 3. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2020 capital improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 2 - Sample Contract
Attachment 3 - Vicinity Map